Pan-Seared Filets

Time :1 hour
Yield :4 servings

Recipe Background

There's no main course that can stand up to the flavor marvel of these Pan-Seared Filets. Perfectly seared steaks, with a deliciously rosy center, are just bursting with beef flavor. And all of that savory goodness is accented with a rich, homemade garlic and herb butter. Pan-Seared Filets are so lovely, you'll have to pay your compliments to the chef... yourself!
There's no main course that can stand up to the flavor marvel of these Pan-Seared Filets. Perfectly seared steaks, with a deliciously rosy center, are just bursting with beef flavor. And all of that savory goodness is accented with a rich, homemade garlic and herb butter. Pan-Seared Filets are so lovely, you'll have to pay your compliments to the chef... yourself!

Ingredients

For the garlic-herb butter:

  • 1/2 stick butter softened
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic minced

For the steaks:

  • 4 (10-ounce 1 1/2-2-inch-thick) beef tenderloin filets
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil

Directions

  • In a bowl, add the butter, the rosemary, the tarragon, and the garlic and mash until fully mixed.
  • Transfer the garlic-herb butter to the refrigerator.
  • Let the steaks come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 415 degrees F.
  • Season the steaks generously with the salt and the black pepper.
  • In an ovenproof cast-iron skillet over high heat, add the oil. Make sure to swirl the pan to evenly spread the oil across the bottom of the entire pan.
  • One the oil is smoking hot, add the steaks and let cook, undisturbed, until golden and seared on the bottom, about 2 minutes.
  • Flip the steaks and cook, undisturbed, until golden and seared on the bottom, about 2 minutes.
  • Add 1-2 tablespoons of the garlic-herb butter to the pan and return the remaining garlic-herb butter to the refrigerator.
  • Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until the steaks are about 5 degrees F shy of your intended level of doneness, about 4 minutes for rare at 120 degrees F, about 5-6 minutes for medium-rare at 130 degrees F, and about 6-7 minutes for medium at 140 degrees F.
  • Transfer the skillet from the oven and spoon the pan drippings over the steaks.
  • Transfer the steaks to a plate and let them rest until the steaks reach the ideal internal temperature for your intended doneness, 125 degrees F for rare, 135 degrees F for medium-rare, and 145 degrees F for medium, about 5-10 minutes.
  • While the steaks rest, transfer the garlic-herb butter mixture from the refrigerator and let it soften slightly at room temperature.
  • Serve the steaks topped with the garlic-herb butter.
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