Expert: Keith Patton - 3/9/2008

Question
can i use the slow cooker for a piece of filet mignon?

Answer
Jina:

You could but it would be a waste.  Filet is tender and can be roasted or grilled medium rare to rare.  Sear it in a very hot pan then place in an oven till it reachs 145F internal temp. Get a meat thermometer.

Slow cookers cook by braising.  This method uses moist heat just below boiling to cook the meat.  It causes connective tissue to gelatinize.  Remember the brown gelatin looking fat like stuff on a pot roast?  This is how cheap tough cuts of meat are cooked.  Not tenderloin.  Braised meat turns gray, and usually in seared first to add a bit of color.  It falls apart in the strings like your pot roast.

Keith