How to cook beef tenderloin medallions in the pan, Melt-in Your Mouth Steak in the Oven or in an air fryer to medium rare step by step directions are here. Super tender, juicy protein packed dinner idea.
Beef medallions are delicious cooked to perfectly pink inside with a mushroom sauce or just lightly seasoned. They don’t need long to cook in any cooking method you choose, we will share several so you can try them all and see which is the best for you. (affiliate links present)
Jump to:
- What are tenderloin medallions?
- How to Cook Steak Medallions in the Pan
- How long do you cook a beef tenderloin at 400 degrees?
- Beef Tenderloin Medallions Recipe
- What temperature is a medium rare steak?
- How to Cook in Air Fryer
- How do you cook steak medium rare?
- Can you smoke steak medallions?
- How do you cut beef tenderloin medallions?
What are tenderloin medallions?
Tenderloin medallions are small, round cuts of beef taken from the most tender area of the cow and is the most prized cuts of beef. This piece runs along the spine and is located in the middle of the short loin and sirloin. Filet mignon is a specific type of this, typically cut from the smaller end which is thicker and more expensive.
How to Cook Steak Medallions in the Pan
This is the one we are focusing on here and the photos will show. If you want them to look fancy and perfect you would want to form them into perfect circles and 1-1.5 thick all the way across. Not wasting a bite we skipped that part and made them perfectly imperfect (like normal people would, or The Typical Mom would). Right? 😉
How long do you cook a beef tenderloin at 400 degrees?
About 5 minutes for sliced pieces after searing, timing will depend on thickness and preferences but ideal is until it reaches 130F inside. This is the best option if Frozen Steak is all you have, though it is MUCH better fresh or thawed. You still want to start with a cast iron skillet.
Beef Tenderloin Medallions Recipe
- Start by generously seasoning both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Optionally, you can add garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite Steak Dry Rub.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F or 200°C.
- Place an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat on the stove and add a tablespoon of oil or butter.
- Add meat and sear for 1 minute on each side until they develop a nice brown crust.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven until it reaches the optimal temp.
What temperature is a medium rare steak?
- Rare: 120-125°F
- Medium Rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 140-145°F
How to Cook in Air Fryer
Medallions in air fryer can be made here. Keep in mind that you will get a crust on the outside so if you aren’t into anything but super duper tender this may not be the method for you. I actually think it is great, caramelizing the dry rub on the outside.
How do you cook steak medium rare?
You will want a thermometer to get the best read on these. They are perfectly cooked when they reach 130-135°F or 54-57°C in the center, thickest part of the steak. Remove from the heat when you check for the most accurate read. You only need about 5 minutes in a pan to get to this temp.
Can you smoke steak medallions?
Of course. I show you How to Smoke a Steak here, you would want to keep a close eye on these as they would only take 15-20 minutes. You should always have a digital meat thermometer on hand, lift lid quickly and stick in. Better yet if your Traeger has a built in meat probe it can alert you on your phone once it reaches
You do NOT want to overcook these. You want the internal temperature to be 130 – 135° degrees F. Warm, red center; firm but tender texture is ideal. Once you get to this point remove from the heat, wrap in foil and let it sit for 10 minutes this way before serving and/or slicing.
No, that isn’t ideal. Allowing the medallions to come to room temperature helps ensure they cook more evenly. Cold steaks placed directly into a hot pan can result in the exterior cooking much faster than the interior.
Usually these are served with some sort of sauce or brown gravy on top. If you want something different, try teriyaki sauce sometime which is delicious as well. You can use the drippings in the pan whisked with some flour to create a roux, then thin with beef broth.
Cream of Mushroom Gravy is something we love to smother these with. Below is a more simple sauce that is wonderful too if you want something made quickly.
How do you cut beef tenderloin medallions?
Tips: Make sure your blade is very sharp or it won’t slide thru and sawing will rip it apart making the size uneven. Running the knife under warm water and drying it before slicing can help make smoother cuts, especially if the steak has a lot of fat.
- Before cooking you should;
- Prepare by placing it in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes before slicing, it’s easier to cut cold. Start by trimming any excess fat and silverskin using a sharp knife.
- Portion after deciding on the desired thickness you want them to be. A common thickness is about 1 to 1.5 inches.
- Cut use a sharp chef’s knife or a carving knife to make clean cuts. Hold the knife perpendicular to the tenderloin to ensure even slices. Slice cutting straight down through the meat.
- Shape If any are uneven, you can gently shape them with your hands to ensure uniform size and thickness.
- Season with salt, pepper, or any preferred seasonings before cooking
- After cooking you should;
- Allow to Rest ater cooking for at least 5-10 minutes. This helps retain the juices, making the meat more flavorful and easier to slice.
- Cut Perpendicular using a sharp knife against grain (across the lines). This shortens the muscle fibers, making the meat more tender. Hold at a slight angle to make wider, more elegant slices.
How to Cook Beef Tenderloin Medallions
Equipment
- 1 cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 2 beef medallions
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
Beef Medallion Gravy
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1/3 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 c beef broth
Instructions
- Remove the medallions from the refrigerator in advance (half an hour in advance) so that they come to room temperature. Then spread with salt and pepper.
- How to Cook Beef Tenderloin Medallions in Pan – Melt the butter and fry the garlic for 2 minutes on low heat. Then place the medallions in the pan and fry for 3 minutes. Turn the medallions over to the other side and add a little more butter to the pan. Fry the for another 2 minutes or until middle reaches 130-135 degrees F.
- How to Cook Beef Tenderloin Medallions in Oven – Melt the butter and fry the garlic for 2 minutes on low heat. Then place the medallions in the pan and fry for 1 minute on each side to get a deep browning.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F or 200°C. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven until it reaches the optimal temp. of 130 degrees F.
- Resting – Place the meat in foil and wrap tightly, leaving for 10 minutes.
- How to Make Gravy – Place the chopped onion in a frying pan and fry for 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add all-purpose flour, stir and cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Pour in the broth and stir the gravy, breaking up any lumps of flour.
- After 3 minutes, when the gravy becomes thick, remove it from the heat. If the gravy is very thick, add a little more water or broth. Serve with gravy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
