Tenderloin vs. Filet Mignon: Tenderloin and filet Mignon are both cut-off beef. That’s why most people got confused and thought that tenderloin and filet Mignon are the same; the only difference between them is in their names. Well, that’s not true. If we talk about tenderloin Vs. filet mignon difference, both are different in many ways. The main difference between filet mignon and tenderloin is that tenderloin is a long portion of the beef running along the spine side, while filet mignon is more tender than the rest.
Let’s take a closer look at Filet Mignon vs. Tenderloin
| Cut | Both are cut off from the same area of beef |
| Cost | Filet Mignon is more expensive than a tenderloin |
| Known For | Both of these cuts of beef are known for their tenderness |
| More Desiring | Filet Mignon is considered a more desirable cut due to its rich flavor. |
Table of Contents
What Is Tenderloin?
Tenderloin is the muscle found between the animals’ top loin and sirloin. This is one of the most tender parts of the meat because this part does not have to do much work in the form of exercise. The weight of tenderloin varies depending upon the condition in which it is sold, as it can be sold as a whole filet or in medallions. Its average weight is about 4-6lbs. Tenderloin can be sold trimmed and untrimmed as well. The untrimmed tenderloin has some fat and silver skin from the cow, which must be removed before cooking. The large medallion in the middle of the tenderloin is also known as tornadoes and can be cooked individually. The top end of the tenderloin is known as “chateaubriand,” which can be enough for two people to eat.
What Is Filet Mignon?
Filet mignon is a cut of tenderloin. People often confuse it with tenderloin because when tenderloin is cut into medallions, it is known as filet mignon. The name filet mignon is used for the conical end part of the tenderloin. It can be sliced into thick, even steaks to resemble medallions. File mignon is tender but does not have a good reputation when it comes to its flavor. But it goes very well with certain dressings and sauces. Although “mignon” is a French word, the French used to call that part of beef “filet de boeuf .”And used the word filet mignon for the pork tenderloin. Filet mignon is not a favorite of chefs because of its boring and fewer flavors. But it is a popular menu choice and very expensive as well. Filet mignon is very easy to cook; it can be sliced into small rounds with dressing and sauces.
6 Key Differences Between tenderloin and Filet Mignon
| Components | Tenderloin | Filet Mignon |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Meat | Tenderloin is a lean cut that doesn’t have any bone | Filet mignon is also a lean cut, but it does not have much flavor |
| Presentation and Serving | Tenderloin is best to cook quickly and served underdone to get the most flavor. | Filet mignon steaks are wrapped in bacon and secured to give them more flavor. |
| Preferences | Some people like to have the whole tenderloin roasted or cooked into one piece. | Some people like to have their meat into smaller pieces like filet mignon |
| Cooking | Tenderloin can be sliced and fried or roasted whole. It can also be used with different sauces and dressings. | Filet mignon is the quickest and easiest to cook. It is cut into small pieces and dressed with sauces and dressings. |
| Reputation | Tenderloin is one of the most tender parts of meat and has also gained popularity in restaurants in recent years. | Filet mignon does not have a good reputation when it comes to restaurants. Because it does not have much taste of its own. But goes well with dressings and sauces. |
| Choice | If there is a whole group of people at a meal, then tenderloin is a good choice. | One person can enjoy a single piece of filet mignon |
Tenderloin vs. Filet Mignon Similarities
- Both tenderloin and filet mignon are cut off the same part of the beef
- Whether it’s tenderloin or filet mignon, both beef cuts are well-known for their tenderness.
Tenderloin vs. Filet Mignon Pros and Cons
Tenderloin Pros and Cons
Pros of Tenderloin
- Tenderloin or red meat can be beneficial for health as it can provide iron and vitamin B-12 to the body.
- Tenderloin is not only tasty and tender but also not as expensive as filet mignon, and anyone can enjoy it easily.
Cons of Tenderloin
- Tenderloin is mostly served undercooked to maintain its tenderness and rich flavor, but this undercooked meat can cause a lot of health risks.
- Eating red meat like tenderloin daily can increase the cholesterol level and risk of heart disease.
Filet Mignon Pros and Cons
Pros of Filet Mignon
- Filet mignon comes from the cut of beef, which is extremely tender and can appeal to people who love tender steaks.
- Filet mignon is a good option for those people who don’t like extra fat because it is a lean part of the meat and very low in fats.
Cons of Mignon
- Filet mignon is one of the most expensive steaks you can get on the steakhouse menu. So it is not an ideal beef cut for the people who are out of budget.
- Most of the people that ate filet mignon reviewed that it does not have as much flavor as other cuts of beef. That’s because most of the flavor of the beef comes from the fat and filet mignon is a lean part with less fat.
Comparison Chart
Comparison Video
Conclusion
Tenderloin and filet mignon are the same in terms of cut and the area of the animal from which they are taken. Both of these cuts are well-known due to their tenderness and not due to their flavors. That’s why most people got confused and thought both of these terms were the same. Suppose we look at tenderloin of beef vs. filet mignon, both are different. The main tenderloin vs. the Filet mignon difference is that tenderloin is the muscle found between the top loin and the sirloin of the animals, while the filet mignon is the small slices taken from the last part of the tenderloin. The tenderloin meat has more flavor than filet mignon. But if we talk about filet mignon vs. beef tenderloin price, filet mignon is higher as it is lean meat and has fewer fats.
