Freezing Filet Mignon (Quick & Easy Guide)
Filet mignon is one of those savory parts of a steak which one saves for special occasions. Featuring a mild, meaty, and sweet aftertaste, filet mignon’s soft texture is what gives it that luscious buttery sensation.
Given the expensive price, the last thing you would want is to waste the meat due to the filet mignon going bad.
What’s the solution? Freeze it! Filet mignon can be frozen for up to 12 months!
Keep on reading to find out how to freeze filet mignon.
Freezing Filet Mignon (What You Need to Know)
Filet mignon can be cooked within the same week that you buy it, but keeping it in the fridge any longer than that can cause it to go bad. You can tell if your filet mignon has gone bad if it smells foul, has a dry outer surface, or if it feels slimy and looks discolored. This is where freezing comes into play!
Freezing filet mignon is an easy process, provided you take all the necessary measures to avoid freezer burn. Here is a step-by-step guide to freezing filet mignon:
- When buying filets that are already frozen from the supermarket, one can stash the same package in the freezer without any additional preparation. This is because the store packaging for filet mignon is already airtight and vacuum-sealed, which prevents bacterial growth.
- If you buy filet mignon from a slaughterhouse, i.e. fresh, then you need to ‘age’ it first to get the best possible taste later.
- To age the steak, simply keep it in the refrigerator for seven days below 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Another alternative is 30-60 days of maturing, but this is provided that the meat is vacuum-sealed during this time.
- If your filet mignon sits in the fridge for too long, then it might absorb the smell of other items in your fridge. In fact, the steak itself could affect the smell of other items in your refrigerator. You can counter this by wrapping it in a plastic packaging before storing.
- Once the allotted time has passed, open the package and rinse the steak in cold water followed by getting rid of any discoloured pieces.
- Then, take some aluminum foil or a plastic wrap and wrap the steak to protect it from freezer burn while it’s inside. Make sure you don’t leave out any areas of air exposure.
- Many people even place a second layer of wrapping after the first one to provide an extra layer of protection against freezer burn. You can use a freezer bag, parchment paper, freezer paper or an air-tight container as a secondary layer.
- Before you place the packet of meat inside the freezer, make sure to remove all the air inside by gently pressing the bag to push it out so that the steak doesn’t get freezer burn. You can also use a vacuum-sealer to close the bags since it sucks out all the air and will make your job easy.
- Place the packet of meat inside the freezer once you have labelled the filet mignon with a ‘use-by’ date.
- Your frozen filet mignon is now good for another 10-12 months!
Note: Follow the same steps if you want to freeze cooked filet mignon. Just make sure to let the meat cool down completely before packaging and rinse off any spices on the surface.
Defrosting Filet Mignon
Filet mignon should be defrosted in the refrigerator until thawed. Slow thawing is preferable because the steak is better able to absorb the moisture that comes up on the surface throughout the thawing process. This also slows the rate of bacterial growth and multiplication inside the meat.
Some cooks like to thaw their filet mignon in the microwave, but this method is not highly recommended since it can get overheated and develop a charred taste easily.
Cooking Frozen Filet Mignon
Frozen filet mignon can be put straight onto the grill once it has thawed. A 1-inch thick cut can be grilled for 10-12 minutes at 145° F, giving you a medium rare steak. In my opinion, grilling is the best way to enjoy filet mignon.
That being said, you can also sear the filets in a pan on the stove and then place them onto a baking sheet and put them in the oven. For the best taste, season them with oil and some salt and bake them at 350˚ F. for another 10 minutes or so.
Freezing Filet Mignon – Verdict
Filet mignon can be frozen easily and retains its velvety taste for up to 10-12 months as long as you properly wrap it and haven’t previously left it in your fridge for too long. Other cuts of beef like flank also retain their chewy taste post-freezing and can be frozen in the same way.
Thanks for reading.
