Garlic Butter Filet Mignon with Warm Spinach and Bacon Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender filet mignon pan-seared in garlic butter, served atop a warm salad of spinach, crispy bacon, and caramelized shallots for a decadent dinner. This american-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) filet mignon steaks, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 American cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season 2 filet mignon steaks (6 oz each) with 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming. Add steaks and sear for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare, spooning pan butter over steaks during cooking. Remove steaks to rest.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 4 chopped bacon slices and cook over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 thinly sliced shallots to skillet; sauté for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Add 5 cups baby spinach and 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, tossing gently until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and remaining 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cooking for another minute until garlic is fragrant and butter is melted.
  4. Step 4: Plate warm spinach salad topped with crispy bacon and place rested filet mignons on top. Spoon any reserved garlic butter from steak pan over the meat before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic Butter Filet Mignon with Warm Spinach and Bacon Salad take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Garlic Butter Filet Mignon with Warm Spinach and Bacon Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Butter Filet Mignon with Warm Spinach and Bacon Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Garlic Butter Filet Mignon with Warm Spinach and Bacon Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Garlic Butter Filet Mignon with Warm Spinach and Bacon Salad?

American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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