We love to splurge for the holidays and nothing says celebration like beef tenderloin. Learn how to cook a beef tenderloin on the grill and in the oven! It’s super simple and no matter how it is prepared, it’s ALWAYS a hit! 

How to Cook a Beef Tenderloin

Beef tenderloin is so decadent on its own that it is best when it is simply prepared, but it’s also special because a lot of people don’t take the time to make it at home. Or they are too nervous to try because it is such an expensive piece of meat.  

It’s easy to get mouth-watering beef every single time when you follow these simple steps.

1. Trim 
2. Tie
3. Season
4. Cook
5. Rest
6. Serve

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.

• Carefully slip the tip of a very sharp knife just under the shiny silver skin.
• Keep the knife close to the surface so you don’t cut into the meat
• Slide the knife down the length of the tenderloin pulling the “skin” off with other hand
• Discard skin and repeat process if necessary
• 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.

Here are some quick tips for how to tie your roast if you’ve never done it before: 

• Tuck narrow end of tenderloin under to create uniform thickness.
• Take one end of a piece of food grade kitchen twine and tie a knot.
• Make a loop with the string and put around the tenderloin
• Pull loop snugly around beef and repeat process in 1-2 inch intervals down side of beef
• Cut the twine when you reach the end of the tenderloin and tie another knot.

Step 3: Season the beef

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:

1. Salt
2. Pepper
3. Olive oil

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.

Don’t skip this step! 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.

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. Below are instructions for both roasting and grilling beef tenderloin. Choose your favorite! 

How to roast beef tenderloin

Follow these easy steps for creating the perfect roast tenderloin every time: 

1. 1. Season beef tenderloin generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil all over and rub the seasonings into the beef.
   2. Let beef sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking.
   3. Add 2 tablespoons of olive to a large skillet and heat over medium high heat.
   4. Add tenderloin and brown on each side
   5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roast for 25-30 minutes or until meat reaches desired temperature.
   6. 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! 

• 1. Season beef tenderloin generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil all over and rub the seasonings into the beef.
  2. Let beef come to room temperature before grilling.
  3. Heat grill to 400 degrees.
  4. Place beef tenderloin on the grill over direct heat for 20 min. Turning every 10 minutes.
  5. 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.
  6. Remove meat from heat and tent with foil to let juices redistribute. After 10 minutes, slice and serve.

What should the temperature of the beef be when it’s done?

That all depends on how you like to eat it. I’m a rare girl myself, but here are the recommended temperatures for cooking beef:

• 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 here. This one is our favorite. Super fast, crazy accurate and easy to clean. 

The trick to perfect beef comes in the preparation and care at the grill or in the oven. But once you know this easy method, you too will be able to produce a masterpiece that will impress your friends.

And believe me, it is worth the time and the investment. This beef is buttery, succulent and full of flavor.

The best thing about serving it at the party? It’s no fuss and tastes fabulous at room temperature. Perfect party food if you ask me. 

Curious about what else is on my holiday menu? Here are a few of the go-to favorites:

• Asiago Dip
• Crostini with Whipped Feta and Tomatoes
• Layered Greek Dip
• Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Continue to Content

Yield: 12 servings

How to Cook Beef Tenderloin

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Celebrate an occasion with perfectly roasted beef tenderloin that melts in your mouth.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 – 5 pounds beef tenderloin, trimmed
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 -1/3 cup olive oil

Instructions

How to Grill Beef Tenderloin

1. Season beef tenderloin generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil all over and rub the seasonings into the beef.
2. Let beef come to room temperature before grilling.
3. Heat grill to 400 degrees.
4. 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.
5. This can also be done in the oven: See notes for steps.
6. 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

1. Season beef tenderloin generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil all over and rub the seasonings into
   the beef.
2. Let beef come to room temperature before grilling. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of olive to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
4. Add tenderloin and brown on each side. Place pan in oven and roast for 25-30 minutes or until meat reaches the desired temperature.
5. Remove meat from oven and tent with foil to let juices redistribute. After 10 minutes, slice and serve.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Wusthof Classic Flexible Boning Knife, 6-Inch
• 
  Regency Natural Cooking Twine 1/2 Cone 100% Cotton 500ft
• 
  OXO Good Grips Thermocouple Thermometer

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 705 Total Fat: 57g Saturated Fat: 20g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 30g Cholesterol: 161mg Sodium: 156mg Carbohydrates: 0g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 0g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 45g