How Long Should You Cook Beef Medallions in the Oven for Perfect Results Every Time?

Beef medallions are a delicious and tender cut of meat that can be prepared easily at home. When seared and roasted in the oven beef medallions become succulent, flavorful and an impressive option for dinner. But how long should you cook beef medallions in the oven to achieve the ideal doneness and avoid over or undercooking? Here we’ll discuss everything you need to know to cook beef medallions in the oven perfectly.

What Are Beef Medallions?

Beef medallions are oval or round cuts of meat taken from the tenderloin, which runs along the spine of the cow. Medallions are usually 1-2 inches thick and 2-3 inches in diameter. This prized cut is very tender since the tenderloin muscle doesn’t get much use. The lean medallions are sometimes called filet mignon when cut into a petite size.

Compared to other beef cuts like ribeye or sirloin, tenderloin has less marbling or fat running through it. This makes beef medallions a healthy option. However, the lack of fat means medallions can easily dry out if overcooked. Proper cooking time is key for roasting tender and juicy medallions.

Oven Roasting for Best Results

While you can pan sear or grill beef medallions, oven roasting is an easy hands-off cooking method that yields amazing results The dry ambient heat of the oven gently cooks the meat from all sides without any flipping needed Oven roasting also frees up stovetop space if you’re preparing side dishes at the same time.

When oven roasting, use a heavy pan like cast iron or stainless steel to promote even cooking. Make sure to thoroughly preheat the oven before placing in the pan Cook the medallions at a high temperature of 425-450°F to develop a flavorful sear while keeping the inside tender

How Long to Cook Beef Medallions for Different Doneness Levels

Cooking times will vary based on the thickness of your medallions as well as your desired doneness. Here are general guidelines for how long to cook beef medallions in the oven:

• For 1-inch thick medallions:

  • Rare: 8-10 minutes
  • Medium Rare: 10-12 minutes
  • Medium: 12-15 minutes
  • Medium Well: 15-18 minutes
  • Well Done: 18-20 minutes

• For 1.5-inch thick medallions:

  • Rare: 10-12 minutes
  • Medium Rare: 12-15 minutes
  • Medium: 15-18 minutes
  • Medium Well: 18-22 minutes
  • Well Done: 22-25 minutes

These times are for medallions cooked at 425°F. Thicker medallions will need more time while thinner pieces may cook faster. Always rely on an instant read thermometer for the most accurate doneness reading.

Using a Meat Thermometer for Perfect Results

A meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining doneness. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a medallion and it will give a precise internal temperature reading. Here are the target temperatures for different doneness levels:

• Rare: 120-125°F
• Medium Rare: 130-135°F
• Medium: 135-145°F
• Medium Well: 150-155°F
• Well Done: 160°F and above

Be sure to remove the beef medallions from the oven when they are 5-10°F below your desired final temperature. The temperature will continue rising as the meat rests.

Letting the Medallions Rest

An important step many home cooks skip is allowing beef medallions to rest after roasting. Resting gives time for the juices redistributed throughout the meat. Slice into the medallions too soon and the juices will spill out, resulting in a dry meal.

After removing beef medallions from the oven, let them sit covered with foil for 5-10 minutes before serving. This rest time really makes a difference in the tenderness and moisture of the meat. Don’t skip it!

Seasoning and Searing for Extra Flavor

While oven roasting alone will give you tender, juicy medallions, take the flavor up a notch with seasoning and searing:

• Season the beef medallions before cooking with salt, pepper and spices like garlic powder, rosemary, thyme or steak seasoning. Rub the seasonings all over each medallion.

• Sear the seasoned medallions in an extremely hot pan with oil for 1-2 minutes per side. This caramelizes the exterior and gives incredible flavor. Sear just until browned then transfer the medallions straight to the hot oven.

Combining seasoning, searing and the right oven roasting time gives you the very best results when cooking beef medallions.

Serving Suggestions for Beef Medallions

The mild flavor of beef tenderloin medallions pairs well with all different seasonings and sauces. After roasting, try topping medallions with:

• Pan sauce made from the meat drippings
• Blue cheese butter
• Horseradish cream
• Chimichurri
• Peppercorn sauce
• Mushroom gravy

Roasted beef medallions also go great with side dishes like roasted potatoes, sautéed greens, creamed spinach or risotto.

Time Chart for Oven Roasted Beef Medallions

For easy reference, here is a oven roasting time chart for 1-inch and 1.5-inch thick beef medallions:

1-inch thick medallions

• Rare: 8-10 minutes (120-125°F)
• Medium Rare: 10-12 minutes (130-135°F)
• Medium: 12-15 minutes (135-145°F)
• Medium Well: 15-18 minutes (150-155°F)
• Well Done: 18-20 minutes (160°F+)

1.5-inch thick medallions

• Rare: 10-12 minutes (120-125°F)
• Medium Rare: 12-15 minutes (130-135°F)
• Medium: 15-18 minutes (135-145°F)
• Medium Well: 18-22 minutes (150-155°F)
• Well Done: 22-25 minutes (160°F+)

Follow these oven roasting times for perfectly cooked beef medallions. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm your results. Let the medallions rest before slicing and dig in!