The simple method of searing the beef tenderloin roast in a skillet, then finishing it in a hot oven, produces a tender, juicy, very flavorful roast.
Beef tenderloin roast is an expensive cut of beef, perfect for special occasions. Another great one is, of course, ribeye roast.
This simple method of searing the meat in a skillet, then finishing it in a hot oven, produces a tender, juicy, and very flavorful roast. It’s not a dish I make very often, but when I do, it’s always a huge success.
The ingredients you’ll need
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty recipe (exact measurements are included in the recipe card below):
- Beef tenderloin roast: I usually get a 2-lb. roast.
- Olive oil: A healthy oil, but if you’re unsure about cooking with it, you can use avocado oil instead.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you might want to reduce the amount you use. A teaspoon of kosher salt weighs less than a teaspoon of regular salt.
- Spices: Garlic powder, dried rosemary, and dried thyme. Spices: Spices are delicious and healthy. Just make sure they are all fresh. A stale spice can easily ruin a dish!
How to make beef tenderloin roast
It’s so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:
- Start by bringing the beef to room temperature. This will help it cook more evenly.
- Pat it dry, then rub it all over with the oil and with the spices.
- Brown it on all sides in an ovenproof skillet. This step is annoying, I know. But it creates a nice crust on the meat and it does improve its flavor.
- Transfer to meat the oven and roast it to medium-rare, about 30 minutes at 400°F.
- Let it rest before slicing to prevent the juices from escaping when you cut into it.
Do use a meat thermometer
When cooking roasts, one of the best tools you can use is a meat thermometer that you can set up to alert you when the roast reaches your desired temperature.
You really don’t want to overcook a tenderloin roast, and you also don’t want the middle to remain completely raw. Ideally, you want the inside of the roast to be medium-rare, 130 degrees F.
Keep in mind, though, that the USDA instructs us to cook roasts to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Why you should let the roast rest before slicing it
It’s also important to allow the roast to rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing it. The rest time allows the temperature to stabilize, and the juices to redistribute and settle.
Cut into the roast too early and you will lose a lot of those yummy juices, leaving you with dry meat. 🙁
What to serve with beef tenderloin roast?
I like to serve this roast with mashed cauliflower. The garlicky, cheesy cauli- mash closely mimics the experience of eating mashed potatoes. But it’s a much healthier choice of course.
Another great side dish to go with this roast is roasted Brussels sprouts. You can cook both in the same oven, cooking the sprouts for slightly longer than the recipe calls for to compensate for the slightly lower oven temperature.
Other side dishes to consider:
Roasted leeks
Roasted fennel with parmesan
Creamy baked onions
Grilled portobello mushrooms
What to do with leftovers?
Leftovers of this beef tenderloin roast keep well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. I actually prefer not to reheat them because I don’t want to dry out the meat. But if you’d like to reheat the leftover, do so very gently, covered, in the microwave on 50% power.
One of my favorite lunches is slices of cold beef, served with grainy mustard, fresh-cut vegetables, and pickles. These pickled red onions are wonderful.
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Beef Tenderloin Roast
INGREDIENTS
- 2 lb. beef tenderloin roast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (not fine table salt)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
INSTRUCTIONS
- Remove the tenderloin from the fridge an hour before you plan to start cooking.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Pat the beef dry with paper towels. If one end is thinner than the other, tuck it underneath and tie with butcher’s twine to make sure the roast cooks evenly.
- Use clean hands to rub the beef with the oil, then sprinkle it with the seasonings, pressing to help them adhere.
- Heat a large, heavy bottomed, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, 3-4 minutes. Brown the beef on all sides, about 2 minutes on each side for a total of about 8 minutes.
- Turn the heat off. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 130 degrees F (medium-rare), about 30 minutes.
- Transfer the tenderloin roast to a cutting board. Loosely cover with foil and allow to rest 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
NOTES
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Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., has been following a healthy real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She has taken 
