Beef Tenderloin Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Beef Tenderloin Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Beef Tenderloin is one of the best cuts of meat, so it deserves to be cooked right. This tenderloin roast is perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Learn how to cook the perfect tenderloin for an amazing main course dish to serve on the holidays or special occasions. This is the best tenderloin recipe, just wait and see!

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Table of Contents

What’s in this Beef Tenderloin Recipe?

This roast is just so good. This dish comes out so moist and flavorful, it’s absolutely to die for! The best main course for a big feast.It takes time to prepare, but it’s well worth it. Make sure you get it in the refrigerator a day or so ahead of time to get the process started.

  • Beef Tenderloin: You’ll want to get a center-cut tenderloin (also known as chateaubriand).
  • Kosher Salt: Helps to dry the outer surface, leading to more browning.
  • Black Peppercorns: Add a bit of spice.
  • Unsalted Butter: Browning the butter adds nuttiness and richness.
  • Fresh Thyme: Adds a rich herbal flavor.
  • Garlic: Adds an earthy flavor and a pungent aroma.
  • Shallot: Adds a touch of sweetness.
  • Sauce: Brandy Peppercorn Sauceor Mustard Cream Sauce are perfect pairings for this tenderloin.

Pro Tip: Prep early! The beef needs to be seasoned and refrigerated for at least 8 hours, but I recommend going up to 24-48 hours.

Variations on a Beef Tenderloin Roast

You can change up the spices and sauces for this tenderloin to give it a different flavor. Rosemary, sage, parsley, cilantro, or chives are all great choices. A balsamic glaze, apple cider sauce, aji verde, or chimichurri sauce would also change up the flavor.

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Is beef tenderloin the same as filet mignon?

Yes and no. Filet mignon is part of the tenderloin, so all filet mignon is tenderloin, but not all tenderloin is filet mignon.

How many people does a 3-pound beef tenderloin feed?

No matter the size of your roast, you should plan on about ½-pound of beef per person. So, a 3-pound tenderloin will feed 6 people.

What seasoning do you put on beef tenderloin?

Before cooking, rub the tenderloin with salt and pepper, then refrigerate. This is just the initial seasoning, but most of the flavor is added during the basting and broiling phase. We’re using a seasoned butter marinade (with shallots, garlic, and thyme), and it adds so much flavor!

How should tenderloin be cooked?

There are so many different ways to cook beef tenderloin. This method opts for reverse searing it in the oven, which I think is arguably the best method!

What temperature do you cook beef tenderloin?

This tenderloin is cooked low and slow at 225°F, then broiled to develop a rich, dark crust.

Why is my beef tenderloin tough?

If your tenderloin is tough, it’s likely that you overcooked it. Tenderloin is best served rare or medium-rare, so I don’t recommend cooking it beyond an internal temperature of 140°F or you’ll risk it turning out tough and dry!

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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover roast tenderloin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, I recommend wrapping the individual slices in aluminum foil and baking in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Freeze tenderloin slices tightly wrapped in 2 layers of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

This tenderloin roast is a really great option for Christmas, Thanksgiving dinner, or Easter dinner. Serve it with plenty of veggies and side dishes to complete the meal. I think it goes great with Honey Glazed Carrots, Roasted Melting Potatoes, Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin, and Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

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Recipe

Best Beef Tenderloin Recipe

4.63 from 79 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 30 minutes minutes

Cook: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total: 10 hours hours

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Ingredients

  • 3 pounds beef tenderloin center-cut (also called chateaubriand)
  • Kosher salt
  • ¼ cup black peppercorns crushed
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
  • 1 shallot roughly chopped

For Serving (Optional)

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

*READ THROUGH ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND NOTES BEFORE STARTING*

    One to Two Days Ahead…

    • Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack inside or over the baking sheet.

    • 3 pounds beef tenderloin

    • Generously season all sides with salt and peppercorns (or pepper).

      Kosher salt, ¼ cup black peppercorns

    • Set the beef on the wire rack and transfer to the refrigerator (uncovered) to chill for at least 8 hours and up to 48 hours.

    When Ready to Cook…

    • Set the oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 225°F.

    • Place the beef with the rack and baking sheet onto the kitchen counter 30 minutes before cooking.

    • After 30 minutes, transfer the tenderloin/rack/baking sheet to the oven and cook 2-3 hours, or until a meat thermometer, placed in the center of the tenderloin, registers 120°-125°. Remove the beef from the oven for 10 minutes and cut off the twine.

    To Finish Under the Broiler…

    • Place the oven rack 6 inches from the broiler element and set the oven to broil.

    • Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Melt the butter, while gently swirling the pan, until foaming subsides and butter turns a light brown and has a nutty fragrance (be careful not to burn the butter).

      ½ cup unsalted butter

    • Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the thyme, garlic and shallots. Cook 30-60 seconds after the crackling stops. Pour the seasoned butter through a mesh strainer over a medium bowl.

      4 sprigs fresh thyme, 2 cloves garlic, 1 shallot

    • Pour the butter mixture evenly over the tenderloin and brush with a silicone brush or baste with a spoon until all surfaces are coated.

    • Place the pan with the tenderloin under the broiler and broil, turning every 30 seconds, until meat is browned on all sides, baste each time the meat is turned.

    • Transfer the tenderloin to a cutting board. Let is rest 5-10 minutes and slice into ½–inch slices.

    • To serve, sprinkle with coarse sea salt and chives (if desired) and serve with Brandy Peppercorn Sauce, our personal favorite (see recipe) or Horseradish Sauce (see recipe).

      Coarse sea salt, Brandy Peppercorn Sauce, Mustard Cream Sauce, Chopped fresh chives

    Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

    Becky’s tips

    Recipe adapted from: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt Serious Eats

    • This Beef Tenderloin is roasted at a low temperature and, using the reverse-sear technique, then finished under the broiler. Slow cooking the beef first allows for even cooking from the edge to center of the beef. Broiling and basting the tenderloin, at the end of cooking, will add color and flavor.
    • I do not recommend cooking beef tenderloin beyond 140°F, as it can turn dry and tough.
    • Temperature Guide
      • For rare tenderloin: 125-130°F
      • For medium-rare tenderloin: 130-140°F
      • For medium tenderloin: 140-150°F
      • For medium-well tenderloin: 150-160°F
    • Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.

    Storage:Store beef tenderloin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition Information

    Serving: 0.5lb Calories: 787kcal (39%) Carbohydrates: 8g (3%) Protein: 43g (86%) Fat: 65g (100%) Saturated Fat: 30g (188%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g Monounsaturated Fat: 25g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 199mg (66%) Sodium: 503mg (22%) Potassium: 847mg (24%) Fiber: 3g (13%) Sugar: 0.4g Vitamin A: 559IU (11%) Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) Calcium: 70mg (7%) Iron: 6mg (33%)

    Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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    FAQs

    Which cooking method is best for beef tenderloin? ›

    The food web and a great many cookbooks (very many of them highly reputable) recommend blasting a tenderloin in a hot oven, 450–500°F (232–260°C), for a relatively short time to cook it, followed by a counter rest.

    What does baking soda do to a beef tenderloin? ›

    How to Tenderize Steaks and Chickens with Baking Soda. Baking soda acts as a meat tenderizer by changing the physical composition of meat fibers. It raises the pH levels on the surface and makes it tougher (pun intended) for the proteins in the meat to bond.

    Do you have to sear beef tenderloin before roasting? ›

    Should you sear beef tenderloin before cooking it? If roasting a tenderloin in the oven, you'll definitely want to sear it to get a golden brown crust. It doesn't take very long, and is so worth the effort.

    Is it better to roast a beef tenderloin at a high or low temperature? ›

    Low-heat roasting— 225°F to 300°F, or 200°F to 275°F in a convection oven—will produce a roast with rosy interior that's evenly cooked all the way through, but you won't get much in the way of a well-seared crust.

    Should beef tenderloin be cooked covered or uncovered? ›

    Bake uncovered 40 to 50 minutes or until thermometer reads at least 140°F. Cover beef with tent of aluminum foil and let stand about 15 minutes or until thermometer reads 145°F. (Temperature will continue to rise about 5°, and beef will be easier to carve.)

    What temperature should beef tenderloin be cooked at? ›

    Roast until a meat thermometer registers 130°F (about 25–30 minutes) for medium-rare doneness or 140°F for medium doneness (about 30–35 minutes).

    Do you have to rinse off baking soda meat? ›

    Allow the meat to soak in the baking soda solution for 15 minutes. Remove the meat from the liquid and briefly rinse the meat in plain water to strip off the baking soda solution (or as much of it as possible). Cook as desired.

    What is the secret ingredient to tenderize meat? ›

    Less than a teaspoon of baking soda ensures that your steak remains juicy and tender—even after a speedy marinade. While other recipes demand hours of marinating, this baking soda hack makes a flank steak or any other fibrous cut of beef ready to sear after just an hour.

    How do Chinese make their meat so tender? ›

    While there are several ways to velvet, a pound of meat needs about two teaspoons of cornstarch and two teaspoons of oil, says Leung. You may also include two to three tablespoons of water. For beef, add a 1/4-teaspoon of baking soda for tenderizing. Additional seasonings are optional and vary from recipe to recipe.

    Do you wash beef tenderloin before cooking? ›

    Washing beef, pork, lamb, or veal before cooking it is not recommended. Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces. We call this cross-contamination. Some consumers think they are removing bacteria and making their meat or poultry safe.

    Is beef tenderloin the same as filet mignon? ›

    To sum up: Filet mignon is part of a beef tenderloin, but a beef tenderloin is not a filet mignon. Instead, it houses the filet mignon, which comes from the end portion of the tenderloin. The rest of the tenderloin can create other steak cuts or a delicious tenderloin roast to feed the family.

    How long to sit out beef tenderloin before cooking? ›

    The idea is simple.
    1. Bring your meat to room temperature (30 to 45 mins. ...
    2. Meat is cooked on a rack (with foil under for easier clean-up) in a very low and slow oven (275 degrees F., so the meat stays juicy) until just about done.
    Dec 19, 2013

    Why is my beef tenderloin tough? ›

    Tenderloin is lean and one of the most tender cuts around, but the lack of fat means that overcooking it will result in dry, tough meat. Follow this tip: Tenderloin is best served rare or medium-rare, so use a thermometer to make sure it doesn't get cooked past 140°F in the center.

    How long does it take to cook a tenderloin in the oven at 400 degrees? ›

    Bake at 400 degrees F until pork registers between 145- and 150-degrees F (63 and 65 degrees C) at the thickest part of the tenderloin, 15-25 minutes depending on thickness. This means the pork will be juicy and slightly pink in the middle.

    What factors should be considered when roasting a beef tenderloin in the oven? ›

    Roasting in a low 120°C/250°F oven is the key here which actually doesn't take that long (just 40 minutes). This yields exceptional results with evenly cooked beef from edge to edge (no thick overcooked band you get from higher temps) makes this recipe shockingly straightforward and virtually risk-free.

    Is it better to grill or roast a beef tenderloin? ›

    It's great to make on the grill because you can get a high temperature that sears the outside of the tenderloin to get it browned and full of flavor. Lots of smoke can develop while the beef is searing, so cooking it outside keeps your kitchen smoke-free.

    Should I bake or broil a tenderloin? ›

    A beef tenderloin is an excellent choice for the broiler, just like filet mignon. You can add some olive oil and your choice of spices to the meat before broiling to allow it to get a crispy sear in the oven.

    Should I use convection roast for beef tenderloin? ›

    You can cook this cut on the grill or under a broiler for a juicy steak, but you could also use the convection oven. Cooking beef tenderloin in a convection oven is similar to cooking in a conventional oven, except that the tenderloin will cook faster because a convection oven's fan circulates the heat evenly.

    Should you sear a beef tenderloin? ›

    This will help to cook the insides evenly. SEAR: Heat some olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet and sear the beef tenderloin on all sides for about 3 to 5 minutes per side. Since the beef tenderloin is a long piece of beef, I've cut it in two manageable roasts that can easily fit into my 12″ skillet.

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