Tip #6: Individual Pre-Trimmed Filet Mignon Steaks
Pre-packaged filet mignon steaks resting in black styrofoam trays are a financial trap for smart shoppers. Costco butchers build steep labor markups into the per-pound cost of trimming, portioning, and wrapping individual tenderloin medallions.
When you calculate the final receipt cost, you pay premium rates for work you can easily complete at home in less than ten minutes.
Furthermore, these pre-sliced medallions suffer from the exact same mechanical blade-tenderization process as other pre-cut options in the meat case.
Subjecting the tenderloin—the single most naturally tender muscle on the entire animal—to needle blades makes no culinary sense while introducing unnecessary internal bacterial risks. Paying top-dollar prices for damaged meat structure ruins both your budget and your steak dinner.
