Tenderloin is widely considered one of the best sections of beef for roasting; it becomes meltingly tender during cooking. It’s also one of the more expensive cuts, so you’ll want to take care to cook tenderloin properly. Fortunately, this is spectacularly easy to do. The tenderloin is first seared on the stove, but this step is optional. (The roast will be just as delicious if it’s not seared, but many people prefer the look—and texture—of a nicely browned crust.) If you decide not to sear the roast, you will need to increase the cooking time a bit. Just keep checking the temperature of the meat, until it registers 125°F.
Recipe information
Yield
Serves 8 to 10
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Prepare beef Heat oven to 475°F. Let tenderloin rest at room temperature 1 hour. Pat meat with paper towels to dry, then lightly coat all over with oil. Sprinkle evenly with the salt and ground peppercorns, gently pressing to help them adhere.
Step 2
Sear beef Set a cast-iron griddle (or large roasting pan) over two burners and heat over high until hot. Carefully rub griddle lightly with oil (if using a roasting pan, add enough oil to barely coat the bottom of the pan) and heat until hot but not smoking, then place the tenderloin on the griddle and sear on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Use tongs to transfer beef to a rack set in a rimmed baking sheet.
Step 3
Roast Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 125°F for medium-rare, 20 to 30 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes.
Step 4
Carve and serve Transfer tenderloin to a carving board and slice to desired thickness (about 1/2 inch is a nice size) before serving.
Ingredients
Step 5
Green peppercorns have a subtle fruity flavor, but black peppercorns can be substituted. Or you can coat the tenderloin evenly with a coating of finely chopped fresh horseradish, minced garlic, or chopped sturdy fresh herbs such as rosemary and thyme. These ingredients will scorch over high heat, so rub them on after the meat is seared, but before it goes into the oven (let cool briefly, or the meat will be too hot to handle).
