August 13 Filet Mignon Day

Last updated: August 13, 2026

Quick Answer

August 13 Filet Mignon Day is an annual unofficial food holiday in the United States celebrated every year on August 13. It honors filet mignon, a premium cut from the beef tenderloin prized for its exceptional tenderness. In 2026, the day falls on a Thursday, and major steakhouse chains including Morton’s are running limited-time promotions tied to the date. [1][2][5]

Key Takeaways

August 13 is National Filet Mignon Day every year, a fixed-date food holiday that does not shift with the calendar.
Filet mignon comes from the narrow end of the beef tenderloin, the least-exercised muscle on the animal, making it the most tender steak cut available.
The name is French for “dainty fillet” or “tender fillet.”
In 2026, Morton’s The Steakhouse is offering $2 filet mignon sandwiches at the bar from 4 to 8 p.m. on August 13 at participating U.S. locations (limit eight per person). [1]
Independent steakhouses such as DC Prime Steaks and Eddie Merlot’s are also running August 13 specials in 2026. [7][14]
The holiday is commercially and culturally driven, not federally or state recognized. [4][6]
Filet mignon is best cooked to an internal temperature of 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare, using a cast-iron sear followed by an oven finish.
Budget-friendly alternatives include flat iron steak, sirloin, and beef tenderloin tips, which share some tenderness characteristics at a lower price per pound.
Plan on roughly six to eight ounces of filet mignon per adult as a main course.

What Is August 13 Filet Mignon Day?

August 13 Filet Mignon Day is an unofficial American food holiday dedicated to celebrating filet mignon, one of the most prized beef cuts in culinary tradition. Multiple holiday-calendar sources, including AwarenessDays, NationalToday, and HolidayCalendar, consistently list it on August 13 each year. [2][5][6]

The day is not legislated or federally recognized. Instead, it is commercially and culturally driven, promoted by steakhouses, food media, and national day calendar platforms to encourage people to enjoy or learn about filet mignon. [4][6] That commercial angle is precisely what makes it useful: restaurants offer real deals, and home cooks have a concrete reason to try a cut they might otherwise skip due to the price.

What makes filet mignon special?

Cut from the psoas major muscle, which runs along the spine and does almost no work during the animal’s life.
That lack of exertion means very little connective tissue, producing an exceptionally tender texture.
The term “filet mignon” is French, translating roughly to “dainty fillet” or “tender fillet.” [5][6]
It is smaller in diameter than cuts like ribeye or New York strip, typically two to three inches across.

When Did August 13 Filet Mignon Day Start?

The precise founding date and originator of August 13 Filet Mignon Day are not documented in any verified public record. This is common for unofficial food holidays in the United States, many of which emerged through food industry marketing, social media, and national day calendar aggregators rather than through a single founding event.

By at least 2025, the day was widely codified in mainstream national day calendars, with National Day Calendar publishing a communication for August 13, 2025 that listed National Filet Mignon Day alongside other observances. [15] USA Today also covered Morton’s August 13, 2025 promotion tied to the day, indicating it had reached mainstream consumer awareness by that point. [9]

What is clear:

The date is fixed at August 13 every year, regardless of what day of the week it falls on. [2][5][6][8]
It is classified as an “unofficial” or “food” holiday across all major calendar sources, not a public or federal holiday. [4][6][11]
The day has grown in commercial visibility year over year, with more restaurant promotions tied to it in 2026 than in prior years.

For context on how food holidays like this one are tracked and celebrated, see the National Day Calendar tag for a broader look at recurring food observances throughout the year.

How to Celebrate August 13 Filet Mignon Day

There are three practical ways to mark August 13 Filet Mignon Day: dine at a steakhouse running a special, cook filet mignon at home, or use the day as a reason to learn more about premium beef and how to source it. [2][5][6][8]

Option 1: Dine out

Check steakhouses in your area for August 13 promotions (see the restaurant specials section below).
Make a reservation in advance; August 13 is a busy night at steakhouses that promote the day.

Option 2: Cook at home

Source a quality filet mignon from a butcher or grocery store (see sourcing tips below).
Use the cast-iron sear and oven-finish method for best results.
Pair with classic sides: roasted asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad.

Option 3: Learn and share

Host a small dinner and explain the cut to guests.
Share the day on social media using hashtags like #NationalFiletMignonDay or #FiletMignonDay.
Try a different preparation than usual, such as a beef Wellington or a filet mignon sandwich.

For side dish inspiration to round out your August 13 meal, the Baked Sweet Potato tag offers straightforward recipes that pair well with steak.

Filet Mignon Day Restaurant Specials and Deals in 2026

Several restaurant chains and independent steakhouses are running verified promotions tied to August 13 Filet Mignon Day in 2026.

Morton’s The Steakhouse Morton’s is offering $2 filet mignon sandwiches at the bar from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at participating U.S. locations (excluding Saratoga). The limit is eight sandwiches per person; tax and gratuity are not included. [1] This promotion has been a recurring pattern for the chain, with a nearly identical offer running on August 13, 2025. [9] Suburban Chicago Morton’s locations (Naperville, Northbrook, Rosemont, Schaumburg) are specifically confirmed for this “Sandwich Worth Celebrating” promotion. [7]

Eddie Merlot’s Locations in Burr Ridge, Lincolnshire, and Warrenville (Illinois) are running an August-long “Reserve Pairing” featuring an 8-ounce filet mignon and a curated wine glass for $63. [7]

Sullivan’s Steakhouse The Naperville location is running a similar “Sip & Sear” pairing at the same $63 price point for the month of August. [7]

DC Prime Steaks This regional steakhouse announced two 4-ounce filet mignon medallions for $39 on August 13, 2026. [14]

“Restaurant promotions tied to August 13 Filet Mignon Day have expanded meaningfully in 2026, with both national chains and independent steakhouses creating value-driven offers to attract guests on the day.”

How to find deals near you:

Search “[your city] + National Filet Mignon Day 2026” in the days leading up to August 13.
Check the websites and social media of local steakhouses directly.
Call ahead to confirm participation and hours, as promotions can change.

How to Cook Filet Mignon at Home

The best method for cooking filet mignon at home is the reverse sear or the classic cast-iron sear followed by an oven finish. Both methods produce a consistent crust with an evenly cooked interior.

Classic cast-iron sear and oven-finish method (step by step):

Bring to room temperature. Remove filet mignon from the refrigerator 30 to 45 minutes before cooking. Cold meat sears unevenly.
Pat completely dry. Use paper towels to remove surface moisture. Dry meat browns; wet meat steams.
Season generously. Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper on all sides. Season right before cooking or at least 45 minutes ahead (not in between, as drawn-out moisture can inhibit browning).
Preheat the pan. A cast-iron skillet over high heat for two to three minutes until smoking.
Add a high-smoke-point oil. Avocado oil or refined grapeseed oil work well. Avoid olive oil for this step.
Sear. Two minutes per side without moving, plus a quick sear on the edges.
Add butter and aromatics. Drop in two tablespoons of unsalted butter, a few garlic cloves, and fresh thyme. Baste continuously for 30 to 60 seconds.
Oven finish. Transfer the skillet to a 400-degree Fahrenheit oven for three to five minutes, depending on thickness and desired doneness.
Rest. Remove from the oven and rest on a cutting board for five minutes before serving. Resting allows juices to redistribute.

Filet Mignon Cooking Temperature and Time

The internal temperature is the most reliable guide to doneness. Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steak.

Doneness	Pull Temp (°F)	Final Temp After Rest (°F)	Oven Time (1.5-inch filet)
Rare	115-120	120-125	2-3 minutes
Medium-Rare	125-130	130-135	3-4 minutes
Medium	135-140	140-145	4-5 minutes
Medium-Well	145-150	150-155	5-7 minutes

Most chefs and food authorities recommend medium-rare (130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit) for filet mignon to preserve its delicate texture and flavor.

Common Mistakes When Cooking Filet Mignon

Even experienced home cooks make avoidable errors with filet mignon. Because the cut is expensive, mistakes are costly.

Skipping the dry brine. Salting the steak right before cooking and then letting it sit only 10 to 15 minutes draws moisture to the surface without enough time to reabsorb. Either cook immediately after seasoning or salt 45 or more minutes ahead.
Cooking straight from the fridge. A cold center means the outside overcooks before the inside reaches the target temperature.
Using the wrong pan. Nonstick pans cannot handle the high heat needed for a proper crust. Cast iron or stainless steel is essential.
Not resting the steak. Cutting immediately after cooking causes juice loss. Five minutes of resting is not optional.
Overcooking. Filet mignon has very little fat marbling. Cook it past medium and the texture becomes dry and chalky. Use a thermometer, not a timer, as the definitive guide.
Skipping the oven finish. Trying to cook the steak entirely on the stovetop over high heat leads to an overcooked exterior before the center is done.

Filet Mignon vs. Other Steaks: Which Is Best?

Filet mignon is the most tender steak cut available, but it is not universally “the best”, that depends entirely on what a person values in a steak.

Cut	Tenderness	Flavor Intensity	Fat Marbling	Best For
Filet Mignon	Highest	Mild	Low	Texture-focused diners
Ribeye	High	Rich, beefy	High	Flavor-focused diners
New York Strip	Medium-High	Bold	Medium	Balance of both
T-Bone / Porterhouse	Medium-High	Bold	Medium	Sharing, variety
Flat Iron	Medium	Good	Medium	Budget alternative

Choose filet mignon if: texture and elegance matter most, or if you are feeding guests who prefer leaner beef. Choose ribeye if: deep beefy flavor and rich marbling are the priority. Choose New York strip if: you want a balance of tenderness and flavor at a slightly lower price.

Where to Buy Filet Mignon and What It Costs

Filet mignon is widely available at grocery stores, butcher shops, warehouse clubs, and online meat retailers. Quality varies significantly by source.

Best sourcing options:

Local butcher shop: Best for custom thickness cuts and USDA Choice or Prime grading. Ask for a two-inch-thick center-cut filet for the best result.
Grocery store meat counter: Widely available; quality ranges from Select to Choice. Avoid pre-packaged thin-cut filets, which dry out quickly.
Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam’s Club): Often sell whole beef tenderloins at a lower per-pound cost. Cutting them yourself into filets saves money.
Online specialty retailers (Snake River Farms, Porter Road, Crowd Cow): Offer USDA Prime, American Wagyu, and grass-fed options with home delivery.

Typical retail price ranges in 2026 (estimates based on market trends; actual prices vary by region and retailer):

USDA Choice filet mignon: approximately $25 to $40 per pound at retail.
USDA Prime filet mignon: approximately $45 to $65 per pound at retail.
Whole beef tenderloin (untrimmed): often $15 to $25 per pound, yielding multiple filets.

August 13 shopping tip: Some grocery stores and butchers run their own promotions tied to National Filet Mignon Day. Check store apps and weekly circulars in the days before August 13.

How Much Filet Mignon Per Person

Plan on six to eight ounces of filet mignon per adult as a main course. A standard restaurant portion is typically six to eight ounces; steakhouse portions often run eight to ten ounces.

Light eaters or multi-course meals: 4 to 6 ounces per person.
Standard dinner: 6 to 8 ounces per person.
Hearty appetites: 8 to 10 ounces per person.

For a dinner party of four, purchase a 1.5 to 2-pound center-cut tenderloin and cut it into four equal portions, or buy four individual filets. Buying a whole tenderloin and portioning it yourself is typically more economical than buying pre-cut filets.

Is Filet Mignon Worth the Price?

Filet mignon is worth the price for diners who prioritize tenderness above all other steak qualities. It is not the best value cut for those who prefer bold, fatty beef flavor, as leaner cuts like ribeye deliver more marbling-driven taste at a comparable or lower price per pound.

When filet mignon makes sense:

Special occasions like August 13 Filet Mignon Day, anniversaries, or celebrations.
Feeding guests who prefer leaner, more delicate beef.
When texture, not flavor intensity, is the primary goal.

When it may not be the best choice:

Everyday weeknight cooking where cost is a concern.
Diners who love rich, marbled beef flavor (ribeye delivers more of that).
High-heat grilling over charcoal, where fattier cuts perform better.

Filet Mignon Alternatives: Budget-Friendly Options

If the price of filet mignon is a barrier, several cuts offer comparable tenderness or a similar eating experience at a lower cost.

Flat iron steak: Cut from the shoulder, it is the second most tender cut on the animal. Widely available and significantly cheaper per pound.
Sirloin tip (ball tip): Less tender but lean and mild, similar in flavor profile to filet mignon.
Beef tenderloin tips: Trimmed pieces from the tenderloin itself, sold at a lower price per pound. Not as uniform in shape but equally tender.
Chuck eye steak: Sometimes called the “poor man’s ribeye,” it has good marbling and tenderness at a fraction of the cost.
Top sirloin: A versatile, moderately tender cut that takes well to marinades and high-heat cooking.

For those celebrating August 13 Filet Mignon Day on a tighter budget, flat iron steak cooked using the same cast-iron method delivers a genuinely impressive result. Pair it with a side from our March 9 National Meatball Day guide for a full celebration dinner at a lower price point.

Best Filet Mignon Recipes for August 13

The most popular preparations for August 13 Filet Mignon Day range from the classic pan-seared filet to more elaborate dishes.

Classic pan-seared filet mignon with herb butter The cast-iron sear and oven-finish method described above, finished with a compound butter (softened butter blended with fresh thyme, garlic, and parsley). This is the benchmark preparation and the best starting point for anyone new to the cut.

Filet mignon with red wine reduction After searing the steaks, deglaze the pan with a dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot), add beef stock, and reduce by half. Finish with a tablespoon of cold butter for a glossy sauce. This preparation elevates the mild flavor of filet mignon significantly.

Beef Wellington A classic British preparation wrapping filet mignon in a mushroom duxelles and puff pastry. Technically demanding but visually spectacular for a dinner party. The tenderloin is the traditional cut used in this dish.

Filet mignon sliders Inspired by Morton’s August 13 promotion, thin-sliced seared filet on a brioche bun with horseradish cream and caramelized onions. A crowd-pleasing way to stretch one or two filets across a group.

Filet mignon with asparagus A natural pairing. For asparagus preparation ideas, see our May 24 National Asparagus Day guide.

FAQ

What day is National Filet Mignon Day? National Filet Mignon Day is always on August 13. It is a fixed-date food holiday that does not shift with the day of the week. In 2026, it falls on a Thursday. [2][5][6]

Is National Filet Mignon Day a federal holiday? No. It is an unofficial food holiday with no federal, state, or legal recognition. It is culturally and commercially driven. [4][6]

What cut is filet mignon from? Filet mignon is cut from the narrow end of the beef tenderloin (the psoas major muscle), which runs along the spine. Because this muscle does very little work, it produces the most tender beef cut available. [5][6]

What does “filet mignon” mean in French? The term translates to “dainty fillet” or “tender fillet” in French. [5][6]

What is the best internal temperature for filet mignon? Most culinary authorities recommend 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit (medium-rare) for filet mignon. At this temperature the texture is tender and juicy. Cooking beyond medium (145 degrees Fahrenheit) can make the lean cut dry.

How thick should a filet mignon be? A two-inch-thick cut is ideal for home cooking. It allows enough time to develop a proper crust during searing before the interior overcooks.

How much does filet mignon cost per pound in 2026? USDA Choice filet mignon retails for approximately $25 to $40 per pound; USDA Prime runs $45 to $65 per pound. Buying a whole tenderloin and portioning it yourself is the most cost-effective approach.

What restaurants have National Filet Mignon Day deals in 2026? Morton’s The Steakhouse is offering $2 filet mignon sandwiches at the bar from 4 to 8 p.m. on August 13, 2026. Eddie Merlot’s and Sullivan’s Steakhouse are running month-long August pairings. DC Prime Steaks has a two-medallion special for August 13. [1][7][14]

Can I cook filet mignon on a regular gas stovetop? Yes, but a cast-iron skillet is essential. The pan must reach very high heat to form a proper crust. Finish in a 400-degree Fahrenheit oven for even cooking through the center.

What is a good side dish for filet mignon? Classic pairings include roasted asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and roasted mushrooms. A baked sweet potato is also a popular, simpler option.

What is a budget alternative to filet mignon? Flat iron steak is the closest budget alternative in terms of tenderness. Sirloin tip and beef tenderloin tips are also good options that share some characteristics with filet mignon at a lower price.

Is filet mignon the same as beef tenderloin? Filet mignon is cut from the beef tenderloin, but they are not the same thing. The whole tenderloin is a long muscle; filet mignon refers specifically to medallions cut from the narrow tip end of that muscle.

Conclusion

August 13 Filet Mignon Day is a straightforward, enjoyable occasion with real practical value: restaurants run genuine deals, and it gives home cooks a concrete reason to attempt a premium cut they might otherwise reserve for a restaurant visit.

Actionable next steps for 2026:

If dining out: Book a reservation at a local steakhouse now. Check Morton’s, Eddie Merlot’s, Sullivan’s, or independent steakhouses in your area for August 13 promotions. Confirm hours and participation before going. [1][7]
If cooking at home: Source a two-inch-thick USDA Choice or Prime filet mignon from a butcher or warehouse club. Use the cast-iron sear and oven-finish method. Pull the steak at 130 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare and rest it five minutes before serving.
On a budget: Buy a whole beef tenderloin and portion it yourself, or substitute flat iron steak cooked with the same method.
For a full celebration meal: Pair filet mignon with roasted asparagus, a red wine reduction, and a simple dessert. See our April 7 National Coffee Cake Day guide or March 19 National Chocolate Caramel Day guide for dessert ideas that round out a special dinner.

Whether the goal is a $2 slider at Morton’s bar or a full home-cooked filet mignon dinner, August 13 Filet Mignon Day in 2026 offers a genuine reason to celebrate one of the most iconic cuts in beef cookery.

References

[1] National Filet Day – https://www.mortons.com/event/national-filet-day/

[2] National Filet Mignon Day – https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-filet-mignon-day/

[4] dayspedia – https://dayspedia.com/us/calendar/holiday/1544/

[5] National Filet Mignon Day – https://nationaltoday.com/national-filet-mignon-day/

[6] National Filet Mignon Day – https://www.holidaycalendar.io/holiday/national-filet-mignon-day

[7] Dining Out National Filet Mignon Day Deals Sundae Tower At The Greggory And More – https://www.dailyherald.com/20260804/dining/dining-out-national-filet-mignon-day-deals-sundae-tower-at-the-greggory-and-more/

[8] anydayguide – https://anydayguide.com/calendar/1194

[9] usatoday – https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2025/08/13/national-filet-mignon-day-deals-mortons-steak-sandwiches/85640071007/

[14] DC Prime Steaks announcement (July 21, 2026), referenced via research notes; no direct URL in verified source list.