The Easiest Beef Tenderloin Roast

Herb-crusted Beef Tenderloin Roast is a gorgeous presentation for your Thanksgiving meal this year. This cut of meat is generously coated in a fragrant blend of garlic, herbs, and spices, roasted to fork-tender perfection, and drizzled with a rich creamy bearnaise sauce. The flavors will explode in your mouth.

There are some occasions that just call for extravagance. Someone's birthday, Thanksgiving or Christmas get-togethers, Easter, a dinner party with friends, all of these are memorable moments that should be celebrated to the max. Therefore, I present to you this Herb Crusted Tenderloin Roast Recipe for just those times. A couple of other impressive holiday entrées are this Wild Rice Stuffed Cornish Hen Recipe and Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb. I guarantee you would be proud to serve any of these main dishes on your special occasion. 

What is Beef Tenderloin?

The beef tenderloin is an oblong muscle that runs along the rear portion of the spine of the cow. This muscle gets very little exercise, therefore, it's highly regarded as one of the most tender cuts of meat. And because it's the most tender, it's also one of the most expensive, which is why I reserve it mainly for special occasions. 

How to Cook a Beef Tenderloin Roast.

#1 - Remove the tenderloin from the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature.

This will take about an hour to an hour and a half once removed from the fridge to come to room temperature. Why take the time? This process will help retain moisture while it's cooking and provides more consistent cooking throughout.

#2 - Remove the Silver Skin and trim away extra fat.

Silverskin is a thick layer of connective tissue on top of the tenderloin. Remove it carefully with a sharp knife as you pull it away from the muscle. Then trim any extra fat that may have been left on the meat. I always have my butcher remove both of these for me. Why not? They do it for free and it makes life easier.

#3 - Tie the Roast

To prevent the roast from spreading out while it cooks tie the tenderloin with basic kitchen twine. If you purchase a whole tenderloin as I did, you will notice the tenderloin has a thin and tapered end which is considered the tail. It's best to tuck that end under and tie it up so it has a similar thickness to the rest of the meat. This also helps to cook evenly throughout.

• Tie eight or nine small strings around the width of the roast with a basic knot, leaving about an inch between each string. (See photo above.) You can get fancier if you like, but this seems to works just fine. Check out this video from Test Kitchen.

#4 - Make the Garlic/Herb Rub and Smear on Tenderloin

The rub is a simple recipe that consists of minced garlic, fresh rosemary and thyme, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Smear it on all sides of the rub. It's a little messy but I guarantee it's well worth the trouble. 

#5 - Sear on every side

Heat the skillet over medium-high heat and coat the bottom of the pan with avocado oil. The oil should be shimmering before you place the tenderloin in the pan.  When the meat hits the hot oil, it will sizzle and possibly smoke a little bit. Cook for at least one minute (maybe two) without moving the meat around. Do the same on each side, not forgetting the ends. 

#6 - Roast the Beef Tenderloin Roast in the Oven

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Because of the various sizes of tenderloins, it is much better to use a digital meat thermometer to get the exact temperature you are looking for. Below you will find a temperature chart that helps.

• Rare - 120-125 degrees F (bright red center, light pink outside)
• Medium Rare - 130-135 degrees F (pink center, gray outside)
• Medium - 140-145 degrees F (pink center, brown outside)

#7 - Let the Beef Tenderloin Rest

Tent the roast with foil and depending on how big the tenderloin is, you should let it rest anywhere from 10-20 minutes. During this time the residual heat will continue to cook the roast a few degrees beyond the current temperature. So if you want it rare, for instance, you should pull it out of the oven with the internal temperature anywhere from 115-120°F. 

What to Serve the with Beef Tenderloin Roast

If you want to take this Beef Tenderloin Roast to an even higher culinary dimension, top it with a  homemade Easy Bearnaise Sauce. It's Creamy. Rich. Buttery. And Delish!! Oh, and I forgot to mention, this Bearnaise Sauce is much easier than you would ever think.

Tips for Cooking the Beef Tenderloin

• Because there is minimal fat on a tenderloin, overcooking it will result in a dry, tough piece of meat. My preference is rare and my recommendation is either rare or medium-rare. I had a four-pound tenderloin and after searing it in the cast-iron skillet, I placed the same skillet in the oven and cooked it for 20 minutes. It had a perfect "rare" finish.  
• Although the temptation will be there to immediately cut into the beautifully cooked tenderloin, don't give in to the enticement. The reasoning behind "resting" is to permit the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat leaving a juicy and flavorful finished roast. 

How much tenderloin to serve per person?

I chose a smaller "whole" tenderloin weighing about four pounds which ends up feeding about eight to ten people depending on how hungry your guests are. You can count on about eight ounces of raw meat weight per person which allows for two ounces of shrinkage from the trimming and cooking. This will leave about six ounces of cooked meat per guest, which is a nice portion.

An alternative to oven cooking - grilling

You can basically follow the same procedure if you choose to throw it on the grill. Heat the grill to 450-500°F and sear your meat on all sides over direct heat. Switch the tenderloin to indirect heat and let it continue to cook as you would in the oven until you reach the desired internal temperature. 

What sides to serve with Beef Tenderloin Roast?

• Roasted Green Beans with Sundried Tomatoes & Kalamata Olives. 
• Pan-Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Medjool Dates and Blue Cheese. 
• Sheet Pan Vegetables and Potatoes with Garlic and Herbs.
• Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bundles.
• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes. 

If you're looking for a restaurant-worthy main dish that is served with elegance and distinction, this recipe elevates the classic beef tenderloin to new heights with its irresistible combination of flavors and textures. You'll impress your family and guests with a prestigious presentation all the while thinking you've been laboring in the kitchen all day. But in fact, this culinary masterpiece can be effortlessly crafted in just 35-40 minutes, leaving you ample time to savor the compliments of your guests. Does culinary artistry get any better than that?

I originally shared this recipe in 2020. It has received such accolades since then, that I really felt a need to bring it back around for an alternative to your Turkey this year. 

Looking for more Elegant Main Dish Recipes?

Roasted Leg of Lamb with Tomatoes and Kalamata Olives

Baked Cordon Bleu with Creamy Mustard Sauce

Baked Glazed Ham with Brown Sugar and Grainy Mustard

Roasted Racks of Lamb with Apricot Mustard Sauce

Fruit Stuffed Pork Loin with Peach Glaze

Apricot Glazed Stuffed Cornish Hens

Herbed Crown Roast of Pork

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