Filet mignon substitutes

What to use when you can't find Filet mignon at your butcher

Filet mignon is the traditional name in United States. Outside that tradition, butchers carry comparable beef cuts under different names — sometimes the same anatomical piece, sometimes a close cousin. The alternatives below are grouped by country so you can match what your local butcher actually carries.

United States

Petite tenderapproximate

Marketed as the "second-most-tender muscle in the steer" after the tenderloin. Petite tender shares the long, narrow, very-fine-grain character of filet mignon at a fraction of the price; the trade-off is less marbling and a slightly more pronounced beefy flavour.

Argentina

Lomoclose substitute

Filet mignon is a steak portioned from the tenderloin — same muscle, with filet mignon specifically referring to the thick round individual steak cut.

France

Chateaubriandclose substitute

Same muscle (tenderloin); Chateaubriand is the thick centre section, filet mignon is the smaller tail-end medallion.

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