Roasted Beef Tenderloin is a showstopper! This tried and true method is easy (no marinating required), and produces melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavorful beef. Pair it with creamy horseradish sauce for an unforgettable dinner.
This is a special occasion recipe, perfect for a date night in or Valentines Day. It is on the same level as our popular Filet Mignon in Cream Sauce, succulent Broiled Lobster Tails or the ever impressive Prime Rib.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Classic Beef Tenderloin Recipe:
A filet of beef is a pricey, but don’t let that intimidate you. We’re sharing everything from how to trim, tie and how to cook beef tenderloin. Watch the video and you will realize how easy it is to achieve restaurant quality results.
This beef tenderloin is fork tender and every bite has fantastic flavor from the garlic herb crust. Adding horseradish to the rub adds another subtle layer of memorable flavor (don’t skip it!).
How to Trim Beef Tenderloin Roast:
If you see shiny “silver skin” on your beef tenderloin, you will want to trim that away as it is fibrous and chewy connective tissue that won’t allow flavor to penetrate your tenderloin.
- Slide tip of knife just under connective tissue
- Keep knife tip close to surface of the meat to minimize meat loss
- Use your other hand to pull connective tissue tight against the blade
- Slide the knife angled away from the meat until it exits
*Also trim away excess fat from tenderloin – unlike most steaks, fat is unnecessary on beef tenderloin.
How to Tie a Beef Tenderloin:
Tying a tenderloin is important for even cooking. It makes the thickness more uniform and if you have a thin end on one side, you can tuck it under the tenderloin and tie to secure it in place, otherwise one end will be raw and the other over-cooked. A butcher can do this for you. Watch the video recipe for a full demonstration.
- Use a kitchen string to loop around one of the tenderloin and tie a snug knot
- Loop the string around your left hand and pull that loop over your tenderloin
- Repeat the loops, spacing 1-inch apart and tightening each one snugly
- Tie off the end with a knot after 5-6 loops
Serve Beef Tenderloin With:
- Whipped Mashed Potatoes – rave reviews, always!
- Homemade Creamy Horseradish Sauce – restaurant quality
- Roasted Asparagus with parmesan and lemon
- Caesar Salad with homemade croutons and dressing
Watch Natasha Make Roasted Beef Tenderloin:
Make this and you will be known for your beef tenderloin!
Roasted Beef Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 2 lb beef tenderloin , trimmed and tied
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 Tbsp prepared Horseradish, strained
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary leaves
- 1/2 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Remove tenderloin from refrigerator 1 hour before roasting. Trim and tie beef tenderloin. Preheat Oven to 500˚F with a rack in center.
- Coarsely chop 2 garlic cloves then strip 1/2 Tbsp of fresh thyme leaves and 1 Tbsp of fresh rosemary. Finely mince together the garlic and herbs. Transfer them to a small mixing bowl. Add 2 Tbsp butter, 1 Tbsp horseradish, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Use a fork and mash to combine.
- Pat tenderloin dry with paper towel and spread the garlic herb rub evenly all over the tenderloin and transfer to a roasting pan or oven safe skillet. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest portion of your tenderloin and roast in a preheated oven at 500˚F for 28-30 min for medium doneness (140-145˚F).
- Remove from oven and transfer to cutting board, tent loosely with foil and rest 10 minutes. Slice into 1/2” thick slices, and serve right away.
Notes
Beef Tenderloin Temperature Chart:
- 22-23 min for rare (120-125˚F),
- 24-26 min medium-rare (130-135˚F)
- 28-30 min for medium doneness (138-140˚F) - what we aim for.
- 30-32 min for medium-well doneness (140-145˚F) - USDA recommends 145˚F.
- 33-35 min for well done (150˚F) - don't do this to your meat
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Years ago, my husband and I stopped going out for Valentines Day after a bad restaurant experience (the busiest and worst day to go out to eat in my experience), and we’ve enjoyed our date-nights-in ever since! Are you going out or cooking in for Valentines Day? I’d love to know what you’re cooking up!
Hi, I just bought a 2 lb French roast. Can I still use your method of tenderloin?
Hi Lynda, I haven’t experimented with using a French roast for this recipe so I can’t recommend it. From my research, it sounds like a French Roast is more commonly cooked on lower heat and for a longer period of time.
We got a 5 lb. tenderloin and cut it in half—had the first meal on Christmas Eve and it was excellent (LOVE the rub). Our slices were much thicker and soooo decadent! Will have the second meal tonight to usher out 2020 in style. Can’t wait!!
That’s a great idea! It sounds like the perfect meal for both Christmas & New Year’s Eve!
Hi, would it be okay to roast it on a regular baking sheet?
Hi Inna, It definitely will help with cleanup if you use a foil-lined baking sheet, and also, we found having a rim helps catch any juices, so I worry a regular baking sheet may be a little messier, so make sure it has a rim. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
I cooked this for Christmas Eve dinner. My girlfriend and family absolutely loved it as well as myself. I’m just a beginner when it comes to cooking but I felt like a real chef. Thanks for the great recipe!!
I’m so happy to hear that. Thank you for your awesome feedback and review!
Beyond amazing! Was perfect for Christmas dinner and so incredibly easy. I was a bit worried about the prepared horseradish for my picky 12 year old, but believe me – something absolutely magical happens in the oven and all the ingredients meld into the most flavorful crust that encases the perfectly roasted tenderloin. The 12 year old ate 10 slices and wouldn’t eat anything else. Wow!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Sheila! Thank you for the wonderful review!
Thank you for another great recipe. The tenderloin was tender and juicy. My husband told me the mushroom sauce was out of this world! Our Family Members were very pleased. 🙋♀️👩🍳
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Joanne!
Thank you, Natasha! We made this yesterday for Christmas and it was a huge success. For sure we will make this again.
Happy holidays to you and your family
I’m so glad you all enjoyed it, Lynn! Thank you for the wonderful review! Happy Holidays!
For a 4 1/2 lb tenderloin it should be about an hour uncovered?
Hi Teresa, it sounds like you have a whole beef tenderloin. For a larger tenderloin, I would cut the tenderloin in half and tie both pieces separately so they are more even than follow the roasting instructions. We have had people report great results doing that and following the recipe. I always recommend using an oven thermometer though to make sure it reaches your desired doneness.
What if I don’t have horseradish? Can I use something else?
Hi Stella, I recommend trying our new Beef Tenderloin with mushroom sauce. You can prepare the beef tenderloin the same way without the horseradish.
I am roasting a 6 pound tenderloin, should I cook at 500 the entire time for this size roast or do you recommend lowering the heat at some point until the thermometer reaches our desired doneness? Thank you!
Hi, I would cut the tenderloin in half and tie both pieces so they are more even than follow the roasting instructions. We have had people report great results doing that and following the recipe. I always recommend using an oven thermometer though to make sure it reaches your desired doneness.
Cant wait to try this! Looks easy and delicious! Where did you get your oven safe skillet with handles?
Hello Ruby, I hope you love it! You can see the kitchen tools that I use here in my Amazon affiliate shop.
I didn’t see the recipe for the sauce for the tenderloin. Can u send it?
Hi Sandra, here’s the creamy horseradish sauce recipe.
We’re serving a large group and I have acquired a 6+lb roast. Does the weight impact the amount of oven time at 500?
I use a similar method for a prime rib roast, but it requires 5 minutes at 500 per pound, then leave in oven for 2 hours. That comes out perfect everytime.
Hi Paul, yes, if it is larger, you will need to bake it longer to reach a safe temperature.
Hi Natasha,
I have a Le Creuset grill pan with raised ridges like this: https://www.lecreuset.com/signature-square-skillet-grill-cerise/LS2021-2667.html?src=gads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj_XDvurR7QIVBa-GCh2-fwycEAQYAyABEgKpvfD_BwE
Would that work, or would it be better to use a flat bottom cast iron skillet (Lodge) to get the crustiness?
I am concerned about smoke. Maybe 450 would prevent it? Thank you. I can’t wait.
Hi Diane, that may work! I’d like to know how you like that if you experiment.
Thank you for your tips.. i did vary it slightly. But great help thank you
You are most welcome, Brian!
I want to try this at Christmas, and I wondered about using a pan that has a rack. What do you think?
Hi Kaite, it worked great without a rack for us! We found that it kept it really juicy, but if you try it with a rack I would like to know how you like that.
Hi Natasha. I love your videos and your bubbly personality. Your recipes are always AMAZING and easy.
I was wondering what kind of oven safe meat thermometer you use and where to buy it. Thank you, Melinda
Hi Melinda, we love our instant-read thermometer.
Hi Natasha, I am planning to make your roasted beef tenderloin recipe, with horseradish sauce. But I need to purchase a thermometer. It seems the one you recommend in your link, is different from the one you use in the video which you leave in the oven, or one where the long cord can stay outside of the oven for an easier read. That is the one I prefer. Can you advise me on one similar to the one in your video or equal to that?
Hi Jenna, the cord is longer than is photographed on their website. Double-check their product description to confirm, but it should have plenty of space.
Hi Natasha, I really want to try this one but we don’t have horseradish where I live. What would you recommend instead?
Hi Cindy, the horseradish does add a unique flavor that is hard to match, but you can omit it and use a tad more butter instead. It will still be delicious. You might add an extra garlic clove or two.
It turned out amazing! I just wasn’t aware pampered chef stones can’t go in at 500 degrees and my pan broke (boo!) but the meat turned out fantastic! Next time I will cook at a lower temp so I don’t break anymore pans! I also made the horseradish which was also amazing!
Oh no! I hope it didn’t ruin your meal! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe, Kate!
Making this tomorrow with the horseradish sauce. Only have dried thyme and rosemary- will dried herbs work if I adjust the proportion?
Hi Andrea, we really prefer them fresh, but I imagine that should work! I’d love to know how you like that if you experiment!