Beef Wellington
I know, I know, I said that this blog didn’t have “fancy” recipes, but consider this one of my exceptions. I was first introduced to Beef Wellington when I went to Fleming’s Steakhouse a few years ago. While browsing the menu, it jumped out at me:
Filet mignon? Check!
Mushrooms? Check!
Wrapped in flaky puff pastry? Check!
It didn’t take me long to figure out what I was ordering, and I was in love. I hadn’t thought about it recently but then it was featured as a challenge on The Next Food Network Star competition, and I started craving it again, this time resolving to make it at home. The classic preparation of this dish involves searing a beef tenderloin and topping it with mushroom duxelles, a slice of goose or duck liver, and wrapped in puff pastry. I made individual servings by wrapping single servings of filet mignon in the puff pastry, and it was definitely one of the most gourmet meals I have made at home, and absolutely worth it! Served with garlic smashed potatoes and green beans, it was a fabulous meal. And to top it off, I can now cross Beef Wellington off of my “Top 100” list!
Although this recipe called for goose or duck liver, or pate, placed on top of the mushroom duxelles, I omitted it. It just didn’t really sound all that appetizing and I didn’t even know where I would buy such a thing. I don’t think it made a difference, because this was such a fantastic dish. I hadn’t heard of duxelles before the Food Network show, but according Wikipedia, a duxelles is “a finely chopped (minced) mixture of mushrooms or mushrooms stems, onions, shallots, and herbs sauteed in butter, and reduced to a paste (sometimes cream is used as well). It is a basic preparation used in stuffings and sauces (notably, beef wellington), or as a garnish. Duxelles could also be filled into a pocket of raw pastry and baked as a savory tart (similar to a hand-held pie).”
You’ll notice that the filet is much more well done than you would find a filet mignon; this was not intentional. The times in this recipe are intended to deliver a medium-rare meat; as I usually like my filets around medium, I seared them for an extra 1 minute per side and baked in the oven for the same amount of time as the recipe states. So take note of the size of your filets and monitor the doneness with a thermometer. I do have to say, even though I felt that these filets were a little more done than I would have preferred, the combination of the duxelles and puff pastry still produced a really moist and tasty cut of meat.
Individual Beef Wellington
Ingredients
- 4 thickly cut filet mignons, (6-ounce )
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 slices goose or duck liver, or pork country-style pate, (1-ounce )
- 8.6 ounces (243.81 g) frozen puff pastry (1 sheet), thawed
- Mushroom Duxelles, recipe follows
- 1 large egg beaten with 2 teaspoons water to make an egg wash
Mushroom Duxelles:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) minced garlic
- 10 ounces (283.5 g) button mushrooms, wiped clean, stemmed, and finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) salt
- â…› teaspoon (0.13 teaspoon) freshly ground white pepper
- 2½ tablespoons (2.5 tablespoons) dry white wine
Instructions
- 1. To make the Mushroom Duxelles: Heat the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms, salt, and white pepper, reduce the heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until all the liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms begin to caramelize, about 12 minutes. Add the wine and cook, stirring to deglaze the pan, until all the liquid has evaporated. Remove from the heat and let cool before using.
- 2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- 3. Season both sides of each filet with ¼ teaspoon of the salt and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper.
- 4. Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the filets and sear for 1 minute on each side for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate to cool completely.
- 5. Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 14-inch square, and cut into 4 (7-inch) squares.
- 6. Spread one-quarter of the mushroom duxelles on top of each filet and top each with 1 slice of the pate, pressing to flatten. Place one filet, mushroom side down, in the center of a puff pastry square. Using a pastry brush or your finger, paint the inside edges of the pastry with egg wash. Fold the pastry over the filet as though wrapping a package and press the edges to seal. Place the packages seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the egg wash over the tops and sides of each package and bake until the pastry is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer registers 140 degrees F for medium-rare, about 20 minutes.
- 7. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Personally I am with you I do not like my meat like its in the butcher case…I have always liked my steaks well done so thank you for this recipe….to those that were so rude scroll on by no need to be nasty….cook yours like YOU like it…I will omit the pate I have never understood that it seems cruel and unnecessary but again to each their own.
Is this recipe serious? Who in the world would eat beef wellington WELL done. Hahahah no wonder this is poorly rated. I need to post this pic on my steak group lolÂ
You may not like how well the steak came out but that’s how I prefer mine and he’s how I found your recipe-I googled well done beef Wellington!! Can’t wait to try this
I also went to Flemings a while back and loved the personal beef wellington.
My mother in law used to make the entire tenderloin and it always seemed to be wonderful, homemade crust even.
She was not much of a cook, but she does beef well.
I tried it a few times and the duxelles mixture or the pate made it gooey and the crust always fell off the wellington.
So, I decided to try the personal wellingtons for this Christmas.
Thrilled that someone put their take on the Flemings recipe.
I think yours will be perfect, just started the duxelles and will bake tomorrow.
But, I do want to say that you are missing the entire idea of what beef wellington is if you don’t use the pate!
I never used to like pate and made my own mushroom version for years.
Now after traveling to France and Italy a lot, I am addicted.
You can find it at fancy gourmet stores.
I always get the duck or goose with truffle.
Please try it, and you will be a convert.
Thanks so much for your recipe!!
Mare H.
Sounds so good. Thanks for sharing. simon.
How about using three kinds of shrooms…shiitake, portobello, and button? Also, add some Dijon mustard. All in the name of adding flavor. Suggestions were from Chef Ramsey and Epicurious and sounded wonderful.
I just made this last night for my family and my boyfriend. My mom is allergic to mushrooms so I left those out and used a premade duck pate (instead of the slice of duck liver) and it came out amazing. I seared the meat for a little more than 1 minute on each side (I used beef filet instead of filet mignon, I figured for a test run it wouldn’t be a bad idea). It was unbelievable and everyone couldn’t stop talking about it, thanks for the great recipe!
Wow, I would be way too embarrassed to display a photo of well done beef wellington on my website! Shame, shame!
Some people don’t like bleeding beef…what a snob you are.
If you can’t say anything NICE, say nothing at all.
So I was just introduced to your blog by a coworker who always makes your cupcakes. Last night was my 3rd anniversary with my now finace, and I wanted to WOW him with an amazing meal.
This was the first recipe that I’ve made from your site, and it was AMAZING. I’ve had beef wellington at restaurants, and this one was right up there with the best (in my humble opinion). The directions were so easy to follow, and it turned out perfect! I served it with your suggestion of garlicky mashed potatoes and steamed asparagas w/ brown butter.
One suggestion I have is getting two larger filets. I had trouble finding individual sized portion filets, so we had a hard time finishing ours. But next time, for 4 servings, I think I’ll do 2 large filets and then cut them in half to make individual servings.
My fiance’s words last night: “I think this is the best meal I’ve ever had.” Mission accomplished!
I made this last weekend for my husband and I, thank you for sharing!
seriously this looks amazing. looks so tender and delish!
Oh, my husband LOVES when I make beef wellington. I LOVE the mushroom duxelles with this. I’ll have to give it a try next time we make it!
I’m really not a big fan of red meat but this looks delicious! I know Ben would love it so I’m definitely going to give it a try.
You can make it with chicken breast or pork fillet.
This looks delicious!! I bet it was an incredible meal.
I decided since you have a new blog, you might have new readers so I tagged you for a meme:
http://katorade.blogspot.com/2008/07/underneath-western-skies.html
Wow, how fancy! This looks incredible!
Oh wow Chelle! I love beef wellington and now I’m craving it after seeing your pic! Love it!
My goodness, that looks rich!
How funny – my mother orders this every time we go to Flemings – maybe I’ll impress her and make it myself! Congratulations on crossing another item off your list!
I’m impressed!! Looks yummy!!
I have to try this, it looks really good.
I saw this on the foodnet work challenge too. yours looks absolutely wonderful!! great job!!