Are you looking for a new steak to add to your repertoire of meals? If so, you might have heard of the filet medallion but aren’t quite sure what it is. This cut is one of the lesser-known steak cuts, but it’s one that you shouldn’t overlook, especially if you’re a fan of filet mignon.
This ultimate guide to filet mignon medallions explains what the medallion is, what part of the cow it comes from, how to cook it, and what you can with it in the kitchen.
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What Are Filet Medallions?
The filet medallion comes from the filet mignon. You know, that coveted piece of steak that’s round, thick, and super tender? Filet mignon is a prize for any steak enthusiast. Although it doesn’t have the robust beefy flavor that other steaks, like strip steak and ribeye, have, it makes up for that flavor in its texture. You’d find it challenging to meet another piece of steak that’s as tender as the filet mignon.
Filet mignon comes from the beef tenderloin. The beef tenderloin sits right underneath the sirloin portion on the cow’s back and moves into the short loin. On the very end of the beef tenderloin in the short loin region is the filet mignon. Filet mignon tends to be priced higher than other steaks simply because there’s less of it from each animal to go around.
So where do medallions come from, exactly? They’re cut from the filet mignon. A filet medallion actually refers to how the butcher cuts the meat. A butcher cuts filets into smaller, thick circles rather than one larger filet to create filet medallions. This cut makes it possible for you to cook filet mignon in different ways, like in recipes that call for smaller beef chunks.
What Else Do People Call Filet Mignon Medallions?
You might hear other names for filet mignon medallions, including filet steak medallions, eye filet medallions, or tournedos. Some people also refer to the medallion as beef clod, which comes from the shoulder area and is often similar in texture to a filet mignon. However, this is an entirely different cut of beef.
Are Filet Medallions Always Cut from Filet Mignon?
Filet medallions are always from filet mignon, yes. But you might see beef medallions at your local butcher or grocery store. Beef medallions do not necessarily come from filet mignon steak. Instead, they could come from ribeye, strip steak, beef clod, or pretty much any other cut of beef. Butchers sometimes use leftover beef from other cuts to create beef medallions packages to ensure that no meat goes to waste.
The problem is that you might find beef medallions packaged as “filet medallions” when they don’t actually come from the filet. If you don’t know what to look for, you might not know that what you’re buying isn’t real filet medallion.
To ensure that you’re getting the real thing, take a few minutes to inspect the meat. Traditionally, the beef tenderloin doesn’t get exercised a lot. That makes it less muscley than other cuts. The filet mignon, especially, has little muscle because it sits in the short loin area that doesn’t move much. If the medallions you’re considering have a lot of connective tissue – i.e., muscle – then they’re probably not from a cut of filet mignon.
If you’re ever in doubt about where the medallions come from, ask the butcher, especially if they’re labeled as “beef medallions” rather than “filet medallions.”
Characteristics of Real Filet Medallions
It can be challenging to sort perfect filet mignon medallions from regular beef medallions, especially if you’re not familiar with the beef tenderloin and what it looks like. It’s a good idea to compare the medallions you find to a beef tenderloin or cut filet mignon. Does the meat look similar in color and texture? Look for little to no connective tissue and a healthy bounce when you poke the medallions with your finger as good signs of true filet medallions.
To be sure you’re getting what you want, make a special request to your butcher. Specify that you want medallions cut from filet mignon rather than the tenderloin or other cuts.
Filet Mignon Medallions Pricing
Filet mignon often ranges between $25 and $50 per pound, and you might expect to pay a little more for filet mignon medallions because they take a little more preparation on the butcher’s part. You can order our filet mignon medallions for about $32/pound, including the convenience of having them shipped directly to your home for you to enjoy. If you order medallions at a restaurant, you’ll probably only get a few pieces, and they’ll certainly cost you. Order from Chicago Steak Company, and you can cook them any way you’d like and enjoy them when you want to.
What is the Best Way to Cook Filet Mignon Medallions?
You can cook filet mignon medallions the same ways you’d cook filet mignon whole. We love them on the grill or cooked in a cast-iron skillet. Because they’re smaller than a traditional beef filet mignon, medallions don’t take much time to cook. That means you’ll need to babysit them a bit more while you cook them, but you can also get dinner on the table a little faster.
If you’re cooking medallions on the grill, be sure to use a grill pan so they don’t slip through the grates. You’ll still get grill flavors and a nice sear on grilled filet mignon medallions. If you prefer more of a crispy crust on your steak, try cooking them in a cast-iron skillet. Keep them cooking on each side for 3-4 minutes to brown them. Use medium-high heat for either cooking method to sear. If the medallions still need a little more cook in the middle, move them to lower heat until the internal temperature rises to your desired doneness.
Remember to season the medallions with sea salt, pepper, and your other favorite seasonings, like thyme or garlic, before cooking them. Also, leave them at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking them to allow them to cook more thoroughly.
Recipe Inspiration for Filet Medallions
Do you have a filet mignon recipe you absolutely love? You can probably use it for medallions, too. What works for the filet works for medallions, in most cases. So, break out your favorite garlic herb butter, red wine sauce, or bacon drizzle to complement filet medallions.
Medallions are even more versatile than filet mignon, though. If you’re looking for a few unique recipe ideas for dinner (or even breakfast!), we have some to inspire you:
Filet Mignon Medallion Appetizers
The primary advantage that filet medallions have over their intact sibling, filet mignon, is that they’re smaller bites of protein. That means that they’re perfectly sized for using in bite-sized appetizers for parties and family get-togethers. Wrap medallions in bacon and sear and cook them in a skillet. Then, insert a toothpick through the center for quick and easy appetizers everyone will love. You can also make small skewers with medallions and a few pieces of potatoes, mushrooms, or green peppers.
Filet Medallion Breakfast Protein
Steak for breakfast? Not everyone will agree that it’s acceptable, but steak is an excellent breakfast protein, especially when you’re looking for something a little different to start your mornings. Fry filet medallions together with potatoes, eggs, peppers, and onions, for a simple and hearty breakfast skillet. Or, make steak breakfast burritos for a grab-and-go meal.
Filet Medallion Steak Salad
Adding steak to a salad gives your plate full of veggies some healthy protein and a bunch of flavor, and filet mignon medallions can spruce up your salad like no other. You can use any dressing of your choice, but we’re partial to homemade balsamic dressings for a steak salad. With balsamic vinegar as the base for the dressing, your salad will have a tangy flavor that complements steak well without being overpowering.
Filet Mignon Medallion Kebabs
Swap out your usual steak choice for kebabs with filet mignon medallions! We bet you’ll never have steak from kebabs that are as tender and tasty as medallions. Season the steak and veggies before placing them on the grill. You can also make them in the oven if your grill-less, but be sure to wrap the kebabs in aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
Filet Mignon Medallion Steak Stir-Fry
Add medallions to your usual steak stir-fry concoctions. Stir-fry can be ready to eat in just minutes for an excellent busy weeknight meal. Add your favorite veggies and sauces to drum up all different flavors to make each stir-fry unique.
Filet Medallions as the Star of the Show
There’s no reason you need to add filet mignon medallions to a meal as a supportive piece of a dish. Instead, make them the star of your plate. Filet medallions pair well with almost any steak-worthy side dish, like mashed potatoes, baked potato, a salad, mixed veggies, or creamy mushrooms. If you want a little more flavor added to your medallions, drizzle garlic butter on top or add steak seasoning while cooking.
Order Filet Mignon Medallions Online
Chicago Steak Company’s Filet Mignon Medallions are ready for you to order online! We’ll ship your package to arrive within 5 to 7 business days when you choose Standard Shipping or within 2 to 3 business days for Express Shipping. They’ll come flash-frozen to lock in their natural juices, so you can experience their authentic texture and flavors.
Be sure to register an account while you’re on the website to take advantage of our Steakalicious Rewards program that gives you points to redeem for gift cards or discounts on future orders.