Unlock the secrets to cooking beef tenderloin flawlessly!
Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef tenderloin center-cut (also called chateaubriand)
- Kosher salt
- ¼ cup black peppercorns crushed
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
- 1 shallot roughly chopped
For Serving (Optional)
- Coarse sea salt such as fleur de sel or Maldon
- Chopped fresh chives
- Brandy Peppercorn Sauce
- Mustard Cream Sauce
Recommended Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Cast Iron Skillet
Instructions
One to Two Days Ahead…
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack inside or over the baking sheet.
- Tie the tenderloin with butcher’s twine at 1-inch intervals.3 pounds beef tenderloin
- Generously season all sides with salt and peppercorns (or pepper).Kosher salt,¼ cup black peppercorns
- Set the beef on the wire rack and transfer to the refrigerator (uncovered) to chill for at least 8 hours and up to 48 hours.
When Ready to Cook…
- Set the oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 225°F.
- Place the beef with the rack and baking sheet onto the kitchen counter 30 minutes before cooking.
- After 30 minutes, transfer the tenderloin/rack/baking sheet to the oven and cook 2-3 hours, or until a meat thermometer, placed in the center of the tenderloin, registers 120°-125°. Remove the beef from the oven for 10 minutes and cut off the twine.
To Finish Under the Broiler…
- Place the oven rack 6 inches from the broiler element and set the oven to broil.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Melt the butter, while gently swirling the pan, until foaming subsides and butter turns a light brown and has a nutty fragrance (be careful not to burn the butter).½ cup unsalted butter
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the thyme, garlic and shallots. Cook 30-60 seconds after the crackling stops. Pour the seasoned butter through a mesh strainer over a medium bowl.4 sprigs fresh thyme,2 cloves garlic,1 shallot
- Pour the butter mixture evenly over the tenderloin and brush with a silicone brush or baste with a spoon until all surfaces are coated.
- Place the pan with the tenderloin under the broiler and broil, turning every 30 seconds, until meat is browned on all sides, baste each time the meat is turned.
- Transfer the tenderloin to a cutting board. Let is rest 5-10 minutes and slice into ½–inch slices.
- To serve, sprinkle with coarse sea salt and chives (if desired) and serve with Brandy Peppercorn Sauce, our personal favorite (see recipe) or Horseradish Sauce (see recipe).

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