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A white plate holding a filet mignon with classic Bordelaise sauce and a side of roasted asparagus.

Filet Mignon with Classic Bordelaise Sauce

Course: French
Cuisine: American / French, French
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Bone marrow soaking: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 457kcal
Author: Kris Longwell
The Loon proclaimed this Filet Mignon with Classic Bordelaise Sauce was hands-down one of the best dishes he's ever had. The Bordelaise Sauce is a true classic...and get the bone barrow...it makes such a huge difference in the final taste experience. And finally, pair it with an amazing Pinot Noir, and you will be in heaven.
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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 beef filet mignon about 8 oz each, cut to about 2 inches thick
  • 1½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1½ lb beef marrow bones cut into 1½-inch lengths
  • 4 tablespoon unsalted butter divided
  • 1 large shallot chopped
  • 1¼ cups Pinot Noir
  • 1 thyme sprig fresh
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ cup veal demi-glace
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Start the Steaks (Several hours before serving)

  • Fill a large pot with enough water that it fills up by about 3 inches. Place the sous vide machine in the water. Turn the machine on and adjust the temperature to 132°F for medium-rare, and 138°F for medium.
  • Divide the olive oil amongst the inside of 4 plastic baggies, preferably with a ziplock. Use your fingers to coat as much of the inside of the baggies with oil as possible. Place the unseasoned steaks in the baggies. Gently lower the baggies with the steaks into the water. The pressure of the water will create a vacuum seal around the meat. Close the ziplock just before completely submerging. Continue cooking until the desired doneness is reached. See NOTES for temperature and timing, based on the size of the filets.

Prep the Beef Marrow (Several hours before serving)

  • Place the marrow bones in a bowl filled with ice water and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  • Remove the bones from the water and using your thumb, push the marrow out of the bones. If it won't budge, immerse the bones in warm water for about 1 minute and try again. Place the marrow into a clean bowl of ice water and refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours.

Start the Sauce

  • In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt 2 tablespoon of the butter. Add the shallots and cook until translucent, about 4 -5 minutes.
  • Add the wine, thyme, and bay leaf, and raise the heat to medium. Let simmer until reduced by about half, approx. 12 minutes. Strain the sauce into a bowl and clean out the saucepan. Discard the herbs and cooked shallots.
  • Return the strained sauce to the pan and stir in the demi-glace and ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper and simmer for another 4 minutes, or until sauce is slightly syrupy. Turn off the heat, cover, and set aside.

COOK THE STEAKS

  • Preheat the oven to 200°F. Heat a cast-iron skillet or another sturdy skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Season the fillets generously with salt and pepper.
  • When the pan is hot, add the fillets and cook for about 1½ minutes. Turn them over and cook another 2 minutes longer. If searing the steaks in batches, then place the first batch in the warmed oven and proceed with the remaining fillets.

FINISH THE DISH

  • Remove the marrow from the water and slice into ¼-inch thick medallions. Add the medallions to the sauce and bring it to a low simmer. Slowly simmer for 3 minutes.
  • Transfer the cooked steaks to individual plates. Use a fork to gently place 2 to 3 marrow medallions on each steak. Spoon the sauce over the medallions and steaks. Serve at once.

Video

Notes

You can find the beef marrow bones in the frozen section by the meat department in many well-stocked markets.  Or you can get them from your butcher.  Tell him/her that you want the shank part of the bone, so you can extract the marrow.  They should be in 2 to 3-inch pieces. 
Use the following temperatures to set your sous vide machine:
For a 1-inch thick filet:
  • Medium Rare:  132°F for a minimum of 1 hour, and up to 4 hours
  • Medium: 138°F for a minimum of 1 hour, and up to 4 hours
For a 2 to 3-inch thick filet:
  • Medium Rare:  132°F for a minimum of 3 hours, and up to 6 hours
  • Medium: 138°F for a minimum of 3 hours, and up to 6 hours
You can also pan sear the filets, or grill them.  You probably won't get as perfectly cooked steaks, but they'll still be delicious. 
The bone marrow can be prepped up to 24 hours in advance.  The sauce can also be prepared a day in advance.  Gently bring to a simmer before adding the marrow medallions just before serving. 

Nutrition

Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 21mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 428IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg