Nothing says celebration like a special meal. Learn How to Cook Beef Tenderloin on the grill and in the oven. It's super simple and no matter how it's prepared, it's ALWAYS a hit!
Are you intimidated to try and cook beef tenderloin at home? We know it can be nerve wracking, especially with such an expensive piece of meat. Learn How to Cook Beef Tenderloin and get perfect results every single time.
The trick to perfecting beef comes in the prep and care at the grill or in the oven. Once you know our favorite tips and tricks you will be able to produce a masterpiece that will impress your family and friends.
And believe me, it's worth the time and investment. This beef is buttery, succulent and full of flavor.
Jump to:
Ingredients
You only need 3 ingredients to make the best beef. We like to keep the seasoning simple when we cook a beef tenderloin and let the flavor of the meat shine on its own. So go the pantry and grab these pantry staples:
- Salt & Pepper
- Olive oil
- Beef Tenderloin
Instructions
It’s easy to get mouth-watering beef every single time when you follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Trim the roast
When you buy a whole tenderloin, check it to see if there is any shiny “silver skin” on it. Many times your butcher will trim it for you. But if not, it’s important to remove that before you start cooking otherwise you will end up with chewy, tough bites.
Pro tip: Make sure you trim any fat on the beef as well. Tenderloin is so tender you don’t need the fat like you do on other cuts of meat.
Step 2: Tie the roast
After you are done trimming, it’s time to tie the beef! When you purchase a beef tenderloin, you will find that one end is narrower than the other. Tying the beef is an essential step to make sure that your roast cooks evenly.
Step 3: Season the beef
Rub the entire tenderloin with olive oil and season generously with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Set the seasoned, tied beef tenderloin on a jelly roll pan until ready to cook.
Once the beef is tied and seasoned, now it’s time to let it warm up.
Step 4: Cook the beef
Cooking the beef is where the magic happens! Some people prefer to make their tenderloin in the oven while others love the flavor of grilled beef.
How to roast beef tenderloin
Follow these easy steps for creating the perfect roast tenderloin every time:
- Season beef tenderloin generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil all over and rub the seasonings into the beef.
- Let beef sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive to a large skillet and heat over medium high heat.
- Add tenderloin and brown on each side
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roast for 25-30 minutes or until meat reaches desired temperature.
- Remove meat from heat and tent with foil to let juices redistribute. After 10 minutes, slice and serve.
How to Grill Tenderloin:
We love to use our grill all year round and grilled beef tenderloin is always on our holiday menu. Never grilled a tenderloin before? It's easier than you think!
- Season beef tenderloin generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil all over and rub the seasonings into the beef.
- Let beef come to room temperature before grilling.
- Heat grill to 400 degrees.
- Place beef tenderloin on the grill over direct heat for 20 min. Turning every 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 350. Grill for 20-25 minutes over indirect heat for medium-rare (or until the desired temperature is reached) turning every 5-7 minutes.
- Remove meat from heat and tent with foil to let juices redistribute. After 10 minutes, slice and serve.
FAQs
1. Tuck narrow end of tenderloin under to create uniform thickness.
2. Take one end of a piece of food grade kitchen twine and tie a knot.
3. Make a loop with the string and put around the tenderloin
4. Pull loop snugly around beef and repeat process in 1-2 inch intervals down side of beef
5. Cut the twine when you reach the end of the tenderloin and tie another knot.
It’s important to ensure the beef is room temperature before you start cooking, otherwise you will end up with raw meat in the middle and overdone meat on the ends. And when you splurge on a tenderloin, you don’t want to ruin it.
Use this easy chart to help you cook it correctly
Rare (cool red center) 115-120 degrees
Medium Rare (warm red center) 120-125 degrees
Medium (warm pink center) 130-135 degrees
Medium-Well (light brown all the way through) 140-145 degrees
Well-done (brown all the way through) 150-155 degrees
Remember that your beef will continue to cook about another 10 degrees as it rests so never cook beef to its final, desired temperature. The resting period is important to let the juices redistribute through the meat.
Tip: A quality meat thermometer is a must. This thermometer is our favorite. Super fast, crazy accurate and easy to clean.
More Meat Recipes
Meals are a lot easier to tackle when you know how to cook meat properly.
- Learn How to Grill a Whole Chicken and get juicy results with crispy skin!
- Don't need the whole turkey? Cook a Turkey Breast instead, it's so much faster!
- We've got 3 Easy ways to Cook Bone-in Chicken Breasts and all are delicious!
- Healthy options are easy when you can make the Best Grilled Salmon.
Check out all of our main dish recipes.
Recipe
How to Cook Beef Tenderloin
Ingredients
- 4-5 pounds beef tenderloin trimmed
- salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
How to Grill Beef Tenderloin
- Season beef tenderloin generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil all over and rub the seasonings into the beef.
- Let beef come to room temperature before grilling.
- Heat grill to 400 degrees.
- Place beef tenderloin on the grill over direct heat for 20 min. Turning every 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350. Grill for 20-25 minutes over indirect heat for medium-rare (or until the desired temperature is reached) turning every 5-7 minutes.
- This can also be done in the oven: See notes for steps.
- Remove meat from heat and tent with foil to let juices redistribute. After 10 minutes, slice and serve with buns if desired.
How to Roast Beef Tenderloin in the oven
- Season beef tenderloin generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil all over and rub the seasonings into
the beef. - Let beef come to room temperature before grilling. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
- Add tenderloin and brown on each side. Place pan in oven and roast for 25-30 minutes or until meat reaches the desired temperature.
- Remove meat from oven and tent with foil to let juices redistribute. After 10 minutes, slice and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
Learn How to Cook Beef Tenderloin in the oven and on the grill to get perfectly prepared meat every single time.
I did not see the recipe for the red wine/gravy sauce! Did I just miss it amongst all the advertising?
Hi Debbie- There is no red wine/gravy sauce for this recipe- just the beef tenderloin!
I had planned to prepare your Garlic Prime Rib for Christmas lunch since prime rib is my mother’s favorite cut of meat; however, when you live in a small town, you can’t always find what you want. I was able to find tenderloin and it was fabulous. My whole family enjoyed the meat. The red wine gravy/sauce is a must have. My future son-in-law believes it can be served with anything … beef, pork, chicken, eggs, as a soup. It may well have been his favorite part of the meal.
Thank you for your great recipes.
I want to come to every party you throw! These sammies look outstanding!
You are welcome at my house anytime, Erin! 🙂
Beef with salt & pepper is just the best, forever and ever. 🙂