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Why You Should Avoid Filet Mignon If You're After A Flavorful Cut Of Steak By Neala Broderick Nov. 22, 2025 10:00 am EST

Just hearing the words "filet mignon" makes us think of elegance. Aside from Kobe and wagyu, it's the most expensive steak you'll come across, and it truly is unlike any other cut. It's so incredibly tender that a fork is hardly required, let alone a knife. Cut from the lean tenderloin, the buttery steak is classic, melt-in-your-mouth perfection — but without the fat, where's the flavor? As Oliver Lange, corporate executive chef of Next Door Astor Place in New York City, told Tasting Table , "Diners sometimes order filet mignon expecting bold flavor, when it's really about texture and tenderness."

That big, beefy flavor comes from two things tha

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