4
filet mignon steaks, each about 8 ounces and 1 to 1¼ inches thick
1 tablespoon
extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon
coarsely ground whole peppercorns (grind in a spice mill or use a mortar and pestle)
2½ tablespoons
minced fresh thyme, divided
Kosher salt
5 tablespoons
unsalted butter, divided
½ cup
/ 60 grams
finely chopped shallots
¾ cup
/ 120 grams
dried tart cherries
¾ cup
/ 180 milliliters
tawny port
12 ounces
/ 340 grams
sweet fresh cherries, such as Bing, each cut in half or quarters (about 2¼ cups)
¾ cup
/ 180 milliliters
low-sodium beef broth
Freshly ground black pepper
Special Equipment
spice mill or mortar and pestle
Instructions
01
Prepare the grill for direct cooking over high heat (450° to 550°F). If you're using a charcoal grill, keep a small part of the charcoal grate clear of briquettes as a safety zone of indirect heat.
02
Pat the steaks dry, brush them with the oil, and season them evenly with the coarsely ground peppercorns, 1 tablespoon of the thyme, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt, pressing the spices into the meat. Allow the steaks to stand at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before grilling.
03
Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet on the side burner of the grill or on the stove, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until they begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1½ tablespoons thyme and stir for 10 seconds. Stir in the dried cherries and port (be careful of a flame up) and bring to a boil. Continue to boil until the liquid is reduced by about half, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the fresh cherries and broth and boil until the cherries are tender and about one-half of the liquid is cooked away, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Season the sauce with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
04
Brush the cooking grates clean. Grill the steaks over direct high heat, with the lid closed, until cooked to your desired doneness, 7 to 9 minutes for medium rare, turning once or twice (if flare-ups occur, move the steaks temporarily over indirect heat). Remove the steaks from the grill and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes. While the steaks rest, finish the sauce.
05
Warm the sauce in the skillet over medium heat just until hot. Remove from the heat. Add remaining 3 tablespoons butter and whisk butter is absorbed into the sauce. Serve the steaks warm with the cherry sauce spooned on top.
Ingredients
Instructions
the Ingredients
4
filet mignon steaks, each about 8 ounces and 1 to 1¼ inches thick
1 tablespoon
extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon
coarsely ground whole peppercorns (grind in a spice mill or use a mortar and pestle)
2½ tablespoons
minced fresh thyme, divided
Kosher salt
5 tablespoons
unsalted butter, divided
½ cup
/ 60 grams
finely chopped shallots
¾ cup
/ 120 grams
dried tart cherries
¾ cup
/ 180 milliliters
tawny port
12 ounces
/ 340 grams
sweet fresh cherries, such as Bing, each cut in half or quarters (about 2¼ cups)
¾ cup
/ 180 milliliters
low-sodium beef broth
Freshly ground black pepper
Special Equipment
spice mill or mortar and pestle
Instructions
01
Prepare the grill for direct cooking over high heat (450° to 550°F). If you're using a charcoal grill, keep a small part of the charcoal grate clear of briquettes as a safety zone of indirect heat.
02
Pat the steaks dry, brush them with the oil, and season them evenly with the coarsely ground peppercorns, 1 tablespoon of the thyme, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt, pressing the spices into the meat. Allow the steaks to stand at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before grilling.
03
Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet on the side burner of the grill or on the stove, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until they begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1½ tablespoons thyme and stir for 10 seconds. Stir in the dried cherries and port (be careful of a flame up) and bring to a boil. Continue to boil until the liquid is reduced by about half, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the fresh cherries and broth and boil until the cherries are tender and about one-half of the liquid is cooked away, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Season the sauce with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
04
Brush the cooking grates clean. Grill the steaks over direct high heat, with the lid closed, until cooked to your desired doneness, 7 to 9 minutes for medium rare, turning once or twice (if flare-ups occur, move the steaks temporarily over indirect heat). Remove the steaks from the grill and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes. While the steaks rest, finish the sauce.
05
Warm the sauce in the skillet over medium heat just until hot. Remove from the heat. Add remaining 3 tablespoons butter and whisk butter is absorbed into the sauce. Serve the steaks warm with the cherry sauce spooned on top.