Filet Mignon vs Ribeye – What Is the Main Difference?

In this guide, we will explore the differences between filet mignon and ribeye. Once you know the differences, you can make delicious meals.
By
Jeremy Bivens
Jeremy Bivens
Research Writer
Jeremy Bivens is a passionate writer and grilling enthusiast. He's been working as a freelance journalist for over 15 years now and has a particular interest in food writing read more
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Reviewed By
Bruce Williams
Bruce Williams
Expert Consultant
Claims that grilling is the art that he has been learning all his life long and is not planning to stop. Has been grilling for as long as he can remember. Author of numerous read more
Last updated: September 05, 2023
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If there’s one meal that you can have on any occasion and any way, it’s steak. It brings you a savory, tender, delicious and beefy taste, and steak lovers will tell you that this meal will never go out of fashion. There are different kinds of steaks that you can choose from, even if they all come from the same animal.

Each steak has a different taste, tenderness, and price. So, choosing the right kind of steak for your meal is quite tricky, especially when comparing filet mignon and ribeye. As two of the best steaks, it’s usually a competition to see which one is best.

In this guide, we would look at the main differences between the filet mignon and ribeye.

What Is the Difference between Ribeye and Filet Mignon?

Filet Mignon vs Ribeye - What Is the Main Difference?Filet mignon is a small cut taken from the back-rib cage of the cow, close to the tenderloin. Filet mignon comes from French words meaning, ‘thick slice,’ and ‘dainty.’ The meat is also low in fat and is usually cooked with a lot of sauce.

On the other hand, the ribeye is taken from the cow’s rib, just like the name implies. The ribeye is tender but not as delicate as the filet mignon. Ribeye also has an exceptional fat marbling, which means juicy meat, high-fat content, and rich flavor.

The main difference between the ribeye and filet mignon is where they come from in the cow. Since they come from different places, they have different amounts of muscle and fat, meaning they are different in texture and tenderness.

Also, filet mignon comes in small cuts while ribeye comes in bigger cuts. The former is also low in fat and isn’t juicy, which is why it needs to be cooked in sauce, while the ribeye is juicier and is high in fat.

Ribeye has a tender texture and is cooked at high temperatures, while the filet mignon is softer and can be cooked over low temperatures. Finally, you can differentiate between these two when you see the heavy marbling on the filet mignon, while the ribeye has more fine-grain muscle.

How to Cook Filet Mignon

Filet Mignon vs Ribeye - What Is the Main Difference?Filet mignon and ribeye are different is in their cooking methods. Since filet mignons are smaller and leaner, they are also quick in cooking when it’s in a pan. When cooking them, they are usually wrapped around in sauce or in bacon strips.

A filet mignon should be cooked medium-rare to be enjoyed better, although they can also be made well-done. Since the steak is soft, you have to pay attention to it when you cook it.

When preparing your filet mignon, constantly monitor the heat because they can dry up when you use high temperatures for cooking. The time you use to cook your filet mignon depends on how thick the steaks are, the temperature of the meat before you started cooking, and the ingredients you use.

You can cook your filet mignon with different herbs, fresh garlic, parsley, rosemary, and oregano. Most people use herb butter to add flavor to their filet mignon. Salt and pepper are also an important part.

When it comes to grilling, the filet mignon also cooks fast the same way it does when it’s in a pan. So, leaving it above high temperature means you’ll end up overcooking your filet mignon, leading to less tenderness.

How to Cook Ribeye

Filet Mignon vs Ribeye - What Is the Main Difference?As for cooking ribeye, you need to do so with a higher temperature because the steak has a naturally high fat content. When cooking ribeye, you don’t need to put too much seasoning. Just add a small amount of salt and pepper because the steak is naturally rich and juicy.

If you like your food to be flavorful and spicy, you can still cook it with other sauces and herbs. Whether it’s rare or medium-rare, you can cook ribeye steak the way you want it. Some people use kosher salts and ground pepper on both sides of the meat, and then it is cooked at room temperature. It all depends on the recipe Trusted Source Rib eye steak recipe | BBC Good Food Serve beef rib meat at least medium-rare, if not medium, to cook the fat running through it. This gives the meat lots of flavour – great with a red wine sauce www.bbcgoodfood.com .

If you like your steak grilled, there’s a problem with flare-ups when cooking the ribeye. This is because of its high fat content, so be sure to pay attention to it while grilling. Generally, filet mignon is better to grill than ribeye because the former is more manageable.

Tips & Advice

Filet Mignon vs Ribeye - What Is the Main Difference?When you’re cooking the perfect filet mignon or ribeye Trusted Source How to cook the perfect steak | Meat | The Guardian Would a steak cooked just the way you like it be the cornerstone of your final meal, or is it the most overrated dish in the world? www.theguardian.com , you need to consider some important factors.

  • For one, you should choose the right meat, whether it’s filet mignon or ribeye. You need to consider where you’re buying your steak from and the quality that it offers. Consider the texture, color, and go for a grass-fed steak. You also need to get the proper cut of steak and purchase a fresh one.
  • Continuously monitor the steak while cooking. Regardless of whether the heat is high or low, you should always watch it when it’s on the pan or grill so that you get the right kind that you’re looking for. If you want rare ribeye and you’re not watching the grill, you could end up with well-done.
  • Cook the sides of the ribeye or filet mignon differently so that you have the right crusty feel and flavor. You also have to look at the size of the steak you’re cooking, as the thickness determines how long you cook it and how you lean when flipping the steak.

FAQ

  • Which is more expensive: filet mignon or ribeye?

When looking at the filet mignon and ribeye, the former is more expensive than the latter. This is because the demand for the filet mignon is more. Since animals have less filet mignon than ribeye in them, they are also scarcer, making them more expensive.

  • Which is better: filet mignon or ribeye?

The better one depends on your individual taste, budget, experience in cooking steaks, and your style. For instance, with a bigger budget, you might want to get a filet mignon and not a ribeye. On the other hand, cooking experience will mean that you’ll use the one you can handle better.

  • Which cut should you grill: filet mignon or ribeye?

It’s much better for you to grill a fillet mignon than the ribeye. The filet mignon cooks fast and has a lesser flare-up than the ribeye.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to the taste, the ribeye and filet mignon steaks are delicious. But they are different in other areas like the budget, texture, and size. Simply consider which steak is best for you and whether you’d like to cook it with a pan or a grill.

Regardless, the ribeye and mignon steaks have a great taste and will give you the taste that you prefer. You can even use both if you like the taste that they offer. With the right recipes, you can cook delicious meals for yourself, your family, and your friends.

References

1.
Rib eye steak recipe | BBC Good Food
Serve beef rib meat at least medium-rare, if not medium, to cook the fat running through it. This gives the meat lots of flavour – great with a red wine sauce
2.
How to cook the perfect steak | Meat | The Guardian
Would a steak cooked just the way you like it be the cornerstone of your final meal, or is it the most overrated dish in the world?

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