What is fillet of beef?

Arguably, the fillet is the most prized cut of beef, a well-earned accolade. The fillet benefits from very little fat running through the meat, which results in a wonderful texture that truly is “melt in the mouth”. Sometimes referred to as tenderloin, it is an expensive cut that yields such fantastic flavours and succulence that it easily merits the higher price. Fillet is most commonly eaten as fillet steaks, but whole fillets are also available.

In our butcher’s guide to beef fillet, we’ll discuss what it is, how to prepare it and how to cook it to maximise this delicious cut of beef.

What is fillet steak?

Beef fillet is one of the most prestigious cuts of beef on the market. It comes from the psoas major muscle, which sits on the spine, giving it a really low fat content.

It has an extremely tender texture and much milder flavour than the likes of the ribeye or sirloin. Typically, the fillet is bought in steaks or as a whole fillet, depending on what you’d like. Some specific cuts include Chateaubriand and filet mignon.

How to prepare beef fillet steak

To make the most of a fillet steak, start by bringing it to room temperature. This will take around 30 to 45 minutes out of the fridge.

Before cooking, pat the fillet dry before rubbing with oil - olive or vegetable preferred. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Once seasoned, let it sit for another five minutes or so.

How to cook beef fillet

This quality cut of beef offers amazing texture and flavour, just so long as you take care during cooking. It’s most likely that you’ll be cooking fillet steak, and so the same rules apply here as they do with other steaks such as sirloin and rib-eye.

The meat should be cooked quickly in a hot pan, and should be seasoned well. Ensure all sides are sealed through searing, and cook evenly on both sides. Cooking times will vary depending on your preference, but to experience that mouth-watering tenderness, we’d recommend going for medium-rare.

Once cooked, the steak should be removed from the pan and rested for a few minutes. This will allow the juices that have risen to the surface of the meat to sink back in and further soften the beef.

If you’re hosting a dinner party, you may want to think about buying and cooking a whole fillet. Cook as a luxurious roasting joint or put to great use in a wonderful beef Wellington. And of course, having the whole fillet gives you the option to cut it into individual steaks.

How long to cook fillet steak

The cooking times for a fillet steak vary depending on your desired finish. Below, you’ll find the estimated cooking times for your fillet steak on each side:

• Blue - 1 minute
• Rare - 1 to 2 minutes
• Medium-rare 2 to 3 minutes
• Medium - 4 to 5 minutes
• Well-done - 4 to 6 minutes

Fillet of beef recipes

Working alongside our team of in-house chefs, we’ve put together a selection of stunning recipes using Campbells Meat’s very own produce. Check out our Asian inspired poached fillet of beef with soy and ginger recipe, or our classic peppered fillet of beef with whisky sauce recipe.

Discover plenty more beef recipes in our inspiration section.

Fillet of beef from Campbells

Browse and buy from our fantastic produce, sourced from predominantly grass fed Scotch Beef cattle, naturally raised on farms recognised for high standards of animal welfare.

We have fresh Special Trim Scotch Beef Fillet Steaks, premium grade Aberdeen Angus Fillet Steaks and Whole Dry Aged Fillet of Beef. We also offer Fresh Scotch Beef Chateaubriand, which makes for a mouth-watering mini roast.

When you buy beef online from Campbells, you can expect only the best quality meat, delivered the next day and fresh to your door!