Perfect Beef Tenderloin
Recipe from Cooking Light
Inspired by The Food Lab author and Serious Eats managing culinary director J. Kenji López-Alt, we take a 3-step, 5-ingredient approach to the best holiday roast: First, salt the beef and let it air dry in the fridge overnight to help create a flavorful crust; second, slow roast in a low oven to keep the beef extra juicy from the center to the edge; and third, brush with butter and broil the tenderloin for a few minutes to brown it. Serve the tenderloin with the board dressing or horseradish sauce, or both. (Cook’s note: If you don’t have a top broiler in your oven, heat a grill to high and finish browning the tenderloin for a few minutes on each side on the grill.)
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Total time | Yield |
10 hours | 16 servings (serving size: about 3.5 oz. cooked beef) |
Ingredients
- 1 (4-lb.) trimmed beef tenderloin, tied with kitchen twine
- 4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
1. Place beef on a rack set in an aluminum foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper, pressing gently to adhere. Refrigerate, uncovered, 8 to 48 hours.
2. Remove beef from refrigerator, and let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 250°F. Roast beef (keep on rack in pan) on center rack until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 125°F (for rare), 1 hour and 10 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, turning once.
4. Remove beef from oven. Adjust oven temperature to broil. Combine butter and oil in a small saucepan, and heat over medium until butter melts.
5. Brush beef with butter mixture. Broil until browned, turning once, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a carving board spread with Board Dressing,if desired, and let stand 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with Classic Horseradish Cream Sauce, if desired.
