Boyrcr420/iStock/GettyImages
Filet mignon, cut from the beef tenderloin, is a tender, juicy and succulent cut of beef. High-quality beef translates to a high price tag, so if you find filet mignon on sale, purchase it in bulk so you don't pay a higher price later. Filet mignon usually lasts about a week in the refrigerator after purchasing, but it freezes well if handled and packaged carefully.
Ready to Freeze
Freeze filet mignon purchased from a grocery store immediately without any extra care. If you purchase fresh-cut beef straight from the slaughterhouse or butcher shop, you must first age the beef in your refrigerator. Place the filet mignon in the refrigerator as soon as you bring it home. Refrigerate at a temperature between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 36 F to help kill and prevent bacteria. Refrigerate for up to seven days before moving it to the freezer, which allows time to age and tenderize the filet mignon so it's even more flavorful.
Pack It Up
Exposure to air and moisture greatly reduces the delicate flavor of the filet mignon, often leading to freezer burned meat or ice crystal formation. You can't simply place a filet mignon in the freezer in its grocery store packaging because this doesn't provide moisture-vapor resistance. For best results, wrap each filet individually with freezer paper, just as you would wrap a present. Place the individual filets in a large freezer bag so they have double the protection inside the freezer. Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bags and seal them well. While you can wrap multiple filets together in the freezer paper, individual packaging makes it easy to remove and cook one filet at a time.
Storage Tips
Quick freezing helps cut down on freezer burn as well as proper packaging. After wrapping and sealing the filet mignon, clear the sides of your freezer so you can place the filet mignon packages against the freezer walls. The meat freezes fastest against the freezer walls; you can move them to the center of the freezer after about 24 hours or when the filets are frozen solid. Store it in the freezer for up to one year, but if the filet mignon is wrapped with cured bacon, the freezer storage time is only one to three months.
Cooked Filet Mignon
Freeze leftover filet mignon from a large meal to eat at a later date. This is most practical if, for example, you hosted a large party and have more meat left over than you could eat within a few days. Before adding cooked meat to the freezer, place it in the refrigerator to bring the temperature down. Package the filets with freezer paper and freezer bags, just as when freezing raw meat. Alternatively, store the cooked filets in a rigid storage container with a tight-fitting lid. Meat can dry out, so pour gravy or pan drippings over the meat to keep it moist before freezing. Store cooked filet mignon for two to four months in the freezer.
Related Articles
How to Freeze Steaks
How Long Do You Keep Meat in Freezer?
Can I Make a Roast From a Frozen State?
How to Cook a Frozen Pork Fillet in the ...
How to Freeze Croissants
Can You Freeze Michigan Pasties?
Can I Freeze Pork Immediately After ...
How to Cook Bacon-Wrapped Beef Chuck ...
How to Freeze Bratwurst
How Long Can Steak Stay Good While ...
How to Cook Deer Steaks in the Oven on ...
If Meat Is Frozen, How Long Does It ...
How to Store Leftover Roast Pork
How Long Can Beef Brisket Be ...
How Long After Buying a Beef Roast Is ...
How to Pan Cook a Sirloin to Medium-Well
How to Freeze Whole Live Lobsters
How to Cook Ultra Thin Sirloin
How Long Is Pork Good for While Frozen?
How to Bake a Frozen Halibut Filet
References
Writer Bio
A former cake decorator and competitive horticulturist, Amelia Allonsy is most at home in the kitchen or with her hands in the dirt. She received her Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle and on other websites.