If you go out to a nice steakhouse then this is most likely the method they are using to cook your filet. High heat and real butter.
Note that cooking steaks at high temps in a skillet tend to get smokey. Open a kitchen window and turn on your kitchen’s overhead vent fan before you start to help with ventilation.
INGREDIENTS:
4 10 ounce thick tenderloin beef filets (roughly 2 inches thick)
2–3 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste
garlic & herb butter
1/2 stick of butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
INSTRUCTIONS:
For the herb butter:
1. Soften the butter in a microwave-safe bowl until malleable, 10-15 seconds.
2. Stir in herbs and garlic until fully mixed.
3. Spoon the butter onto tin foil doing your best to reshape it to resemble a stick of butter.
4. Place in refrigerator for about 10 minutes and remove 5 minutes before adding to the filet.
For the filets:
1. Preheat the oven to 415° F.
2. Remove steak from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking, this is to bring the steak to room temperature and ensure your cooking times are more accurate. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
3. Add the plain butter to an oven-safe cast iron skillet and turn up high, allow the skillet to become scorching hot first. Place the filets face down and sear undisturbed for 2 minutes. Flip the fillets and sear for an additional 2 minutes. This will give your filets a nice seared edge.
4. Transfer your skillet directly to the oven. [WARNING] skillet may be hot, handle with oven mitts. For rare, bake for 4 minutes. Medium rare, 5-6 minutes. Medium, 6-7 minutes. Medium well, 8-9 minutes. Remember, depending on the size of the steak, the more or less time it will take. This recipe is ideal for an 8-10 ounce portion, roughly 2-3 inches thick.
5. Remove filets from the skillet and set on a plate, lightly cover with tin foil, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. This is important to bring your steak to its final serving temperature.
6. Top with a slice of garlic and herb butter and serve.
Cooking steaks at high temps in a skillet tends to get smokey. Open a kitchen window and turn on your kitchen’s overhead vent fan before you start to help with ventilation.
Temperatures for steak
Doneness Temperature Range Oven Duration
Very Rare/rare 120° F to 125° F 4 minutes
Medium rare 125° F to 130° F 5-6 minutes
Medium 135° F to 140° F 6-7 minutes
Medium well 45° F to 150° F 8-9 minutes
Well done 160° F and above 10+ minutes