Pan-Seared Beef Medallions with Garlic and Thyme Butter

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

Juicy beef medallions seared to perfection and finished with a fragrant garlic-thyme butter sauce, perfect for a quick yet elegant dinner. This french-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs beef tenderloin medallions, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, 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.

★ 4.6 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 French cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season 4 beef tenderloin medallions with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper on both sides. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the medallions and sear without moving for 3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms.
  3. Step 3: Flip the medallions and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 smashed garlic cloves, and 3 fresh thyme sprigs to the pan. Spoon the melted butter over the beef continuously for 2-3 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 130°F for medium rare.
  4. Step 4: Remove medallions from the pan and rest for 5 minutes. Discard garlic and thyme from the pan, then drizzle the garlic-thyme butter sauce from the pan over the beef before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Beef Medallions with Garlic and Thyme Butter take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Pan-Seared Beef Medallions with Garlic and Thyme Butter?

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 beef tenderloin medallions from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Beef Medallions with Garlic and Thyme Butter?

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 Pan-Seared Beef Medallions with Garlic and Thyme Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Pan-Seared Beef Medallions with Garlic and Thyme Butter?

French 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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