Our favorite special occasion dinner EVER. This mouthwatering, garlic-herb crusted beef tenderloin roasts in under 30 minutes. Every bite is melt-in-your-mouth tender and delicious! Serve with roasted potatoes and my super-quick, creamy horseradish sauce. Easier than it looks, and so very elegant for date nights or holiday dinners.

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Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Horseradish Sauce: The Ultimate Special Occasion Dish

Years ago, I found myself enduring a less-than-stellar holiday dinner, cramped at a tiny table for two. It was then I decided to take control of my special occasion dining experiences and create them at home. There’s an undeniable joy and numerous benefits to crafting your own gourmet meals: you save money, you customize flavors precisely to your liking, and you continuously hone your culinary skills. Plus, what could be more luxurious than savoring an exquisite, restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home, perhaps even in your pajamas?

Whether you’re planning an intimate date night for two or hosting a bustling holiday feast for a hungry crowd, this juicy, perfectly Roasted Beef Tenderloin consistently steals the show. It’s our absolute favorite dish for its effortless elegance and incredible flavor, making it ideal for dinner parties, festive celebrations, or any moment you want to make extra special with friends and family. All the ingredients are readily available, the preparation is surprisingly quick, and the result is a tender, melt-in-your-mouth delight every single time. It truly is pure perfection, especially when served alongside crisp Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes and my signature Creamy Horseradish Sauce.

Looking to impress your guests with minimal fuss? This garlic-herb butter crusted beef tenderloin is your answer. With only six core ingredients (plus a dash of salt and pepper), its simplicity belies its sophisticated taste. We’ve served this exact recipe countless times, and every single guest has raved about its restaurant-quality taste and presentation. It’s hard to blame them when dinner is this utterly delicious and memorable. Let’s embark on this culinary journey and get you to the recipe that will transform your special occasions!

Why Choose Beef Tenderloin for Your Special Meal?

Beef tenderloin, often referred to as filet mignon when cut into individual steaks, is renowned for being the most tender cut of beef. Located along the animal’s spine, it’s a muscle that sees very little work, resulting in its buttery texture. While it’s lean and mild in flavor, this makes it an excellent canvas for robust seasonings like garlic and fresh herbs. Its uniform shape, especially when trimmed and tied, allows for remarkably even cooking, ensuring a perfect medium-rare (or your preferred doneness) from edge to edge. This premium cut naturally elevates any meal, signaling a true celebration.

The Magic of the Garlic-Herb Crust

The secret to this tenderloin’s incredible flavor lies in its aromatic garlic-herb crust. A rich base of softened butter acts as a carrier, infusing the meat with potent flavors of fresh garlic, fragrant rosemary, and earthy thyme. This buttery blend not only coats the tenderloin with an irresistible herbal essence but also helps create a beautiful, golden-brown crust during the high-heat roasting process. The butter also acts as a natural basting agent, keeping the lean meat incredibly moist and succulent. This simple yet powerful combination transforms the mild tenderloin into a deeply flavorful centerpiece.

The Indispensable Creamy Horseradish Sauce

A classic pairing for beef, particularly a rich roast, is a bright and piquant horseradish sauce. The creamy texture of our homemade sauce provides a luscious counterpoint to the tender meat, while the sharp, sinus-clearing kick of horseradish cuts through the richness of the beef and butter, creating a perfectly balanced bite. Made with sour cream, mayonnaise, a touch of apple cider vinegar, and fresh chives, this sauce is incredibly quick to prepare and adds a layer of sophisticated flavor that truly completes the dish. It’s the perfect condiment to awaken the palate and enhance the natural savory notes of the tenderloin.

Ready to cook your own Roasted Beef Tenderloin? Follow these steps for success!

Mastering Your Roasted Beef Tenderloin: A Step-by-Step Guide

Sourcing and Preparing Your Tenderloin

• Remove your beef tenderloin from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before roasting. This crucial step allows the meat to come closer to room temperature, ensuring more even cooking throughout the roast. Ideally, aim for 1.5 to 2 hours for larger cuts. While the tenderloin rests, you can proceed with trimming and tying the loin. This involves removing any “silver skin” – a tough, silvery membrane that won’t render or become tender during cooking and can prevent seasonings from penetrating. Tying the loin with kitchen twine into a uniform cylindrical shape ensures that the meat cooks evenly across its entire length. You can certainly do this yourself, or better yet, simply request that your butcher performs this essential service for you when you purchase the loin. This saves time and ensures a professional finish.

Crafting the Aromatic Garlic-Herb Butter

• Preheat your oven to a scorching 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). This high heat is key to achieving a beautiful sear and crust on the outside while keeping the inside perfectly tender. Arrange an oven rack in the center of your oven for optimal heat distribution. Prepare a large, sturdy baking sheet or roasting pan, ensuring it’s large enough to accommodate the tenderloin without crowding. In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, prepared horseradish (strained to remove excess liquid), finely minced garlic, chopped fresh rosemary leaves, chopped fresh thyme leaves, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Using a small fork or spatula, mash and mix these ingredients thoroughly until they form a fragrant, well-combined paste.

Applying the Crust and Roasting

• Using paper towels, thoroughly pat the beef tenderloin dry on all sides. This step is vital for achieving a crisp crust. Generously spread the prepared garlic-herb mixture evenly over the entire surface of the tenderloin, pressing it gently to adhere. Transfer the coated tenderloin to your prepared roasting pan. Roast in the preheated 500-degree F oven for approximately 24-26 minutes for a perfect medium-rare doneness (internal temperature of 130-135˚F). Cooking times can vary based on oven calibration and the exact thickness of your tenderloin. For other doneness preferences, please consult the comprehensive cooking time chart provided below.

The Critical Resting Period

• Once the tenderloin reaches your desired internal temperature, immediately remove it from the oven. Transfer the cooked loin to a clean cutting board. It is absolutely essential to let the roast rest uncovered for a minimum of 10 minutes (and up to 15 minutes for larger roasts). This resting period allows the muscle fibers to relax and the juices, which have migrated to the center during cooking, to redistribute evenly throughout the meat. Skipping this step can result in a dry, less flavorful roast. After resting, slice the tenderloin into elegant 1/4-inch thick slices against the grain. Serving against the grain ensures the tenderest bite.

Perfect Slicing and Serving

• Serve your beautifully roasted beef tenderloin warm, accompanied by the homemade Creamy Horseradish Sauce (the full recipe is detailed in the notes section below). For an ultimate meal, pair it with Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes or any of your favorite side dishes. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary for an added touch of elegance.

Keep reading for the full ingredient list and comprehensive recipe details below.

What to serve on the side of Roasted Beef Tenderloin? Try these complementary dishes!

Elevate Your Meal: Suggested Side Dishes for Beef Tenderloin

Choosing the right side dishes can transform a great meal into an unforgettable feast. For roasted beef tenderloin, consider sides that offer contrasting textures and flavors, from creamy to crisp, and savory to fresh. Here are some of our top recommendations:

Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with savory Parmesan, these are an exquisite alternative to traditional roasted potatoes.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Bacon: A classic comfort food, rich and creamy mashed potatoes provide a smooth counterpoint to the beef, with bacon adding a smoky crunch.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad: For a lighter, fresher option, this vibrant orzo salad with herbs and vegetables offers a delightful contrast.
Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Bread: A warm, gooey, and flavorful bread option that’s always a crowd-pleaser and perfect for soaking up any pan juices.
Crispy Salt and Vinegar Smashed Potatoes: If you love a tangy kick, these smashed potatoes deliver incredible crunch and a unique flavor profile.
Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread: Easy to share and wonderfully indulgent, this garlic bread is a perfect accompaniment for any roast.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese: A hearty, creamy, and slightly sweet side that offers a comforting warmth to your meal.
Brussels Sprout Winter Salad with Lemon Champagne Vinaigrette: A refreshing and nutritious salad that provides a crunchy texture and a bright, acidic counterpoint to the rich beef.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roasting Beef Tenderloin

How to Order Beef Tenderloin from Your Butcher

To ensure the best results, visit or call your local butcher or a reputable grocery store meat counter. Request a beef tenderloin weighing between 2 and 3 pounds. The most crucial part is to ask the butcher for it “trimmed and tied.” Trimming involves meticulously removing the silver skin and any excess fat. Silver skin is a tough connective tissue that will not break down during cooking and can make the meat unpleasant to eat. Tying the loin with butcher’s twine helps to create a uniform cylindrical shape, which is absolutely essential for even cooking and a beautiful presentation. While it’s a straightforward process, having a professional butcher handle this preparation step for you saves a significant amount of time and effort in your kitchen.

Can I Prepare Beef Tenderloin Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can absolutely get a head start on preparing your beef tenderloin up to 1 day in advance. After the tenderloin has been trimmed and tied, go ahead and spread the garlic-herb butter mixture evenly over the entire surface of the beef. Once coated, wrap the tenderloin tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other refrigerator odors. Place it in a re-sealable bag or an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, remove the tenderloin from the refrigerator, unwrap it, and allow it to come to room temperature for at least an hour before roasting as instructed in the recipe. This make-ahead step is perfect for reducing stress on a busy day or during a holiday meal prep.

Cooking Potatoes with Beef Tenderloin: A Separate Affair

While many roast recipes allow for vegetables to cook alongside the meat, these crispy Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes, though absolutely golden, delicious, and a perfect complement to the tenderloin, require a different cooking environment. Contrary to what some photos might suggest or what you might instinctively try, the potatoes should NOT be cooked with the beef tenderloin in the same pan or at the same time. The reason is simple: beef tenderloin requires a very high temperature (500°F) for a short period to achieve a perfect crust and medium-rare interior. Potatoes, especially Hasselback style, typically require a longer cooking time at a lower temperature to become tender throughout and achieve their characteristic crispiness without burning. Attempting to cook them together would either overcook your beef or undercook your potatoes. For the best results, prepare them separately. You can find the dedicated recipe for the Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes here.

Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Horseradish Sauce

Yield:
6 servings

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
30 minutes

Additional Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

2-3 lb. beef tenderloin, trimmed and tied
2 Tablespoons butter, softened
1 Tablespoon prepared horseradish, strained
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tablespoon rosemary leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon thyme leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For serving, optional:

Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes
Creamy Horseradish Sauce (recipe in Notes below)

Instructions

Remove beef tenderloin from refrigerator 1 hour before roasting to allow it to come to room temperature. Trim and tie the loin yourself, or ask your butcher to do this when you purchase it.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven. Prepare a large baking sheet or roasting pan.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, strained prepared horseradish, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper. Use a small fork to mash and combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Using paper towels, pat the tenderloin completely dry. Evenly spread the garlic-herb mixture over the entire surface of the tenderloin. Transfer the coated tenderloin to your prepared roasting pan.

Roast in the preheated oven for 24-26 minutes for medium-rare doneness (internal temperature 130-135˚F). Refer to the full cooking time chart in the Notes section below if you prefer your meat cooked to a different doneness. Remember that actual cooking time can vary based on oven specifics and meat thickness.

Remove the tenderloin from the oven and immediately transfer the loin to a clean cutting board. Let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting period is crucial for juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender roast. After resting, slice the tenderloin into 1/4-inch thick slices against the grain, and serve right away.

Notes

For my Creamy Horseradish Sauce: (makes approximately 3/4 cups)

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 Tablespoons prepared horseradish, 2 Tablespoons mayo, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh chives. Stir until well combined. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Beef Tenderloin Temperature Chart:

Cook 22-23 minutes for rare (internal temperature 120-125˚F)
Cook 24-26 minutes for medium-rare (internal temperature 130-135˚F)
Cook 28-30 minutes for medium doneness (internal temperature 138-140˚F)
Cook 30-32 minutes for medium-well doneness (internal temperature 140-145˚F)

* Please note: Cooking time can vary depending on your oven’s accuracy and the exact thickness of your beef tenderloin. We highly recommend using a reliable meat thermometer to check for your desired doneness, inserting it into the thickest part of the roast.

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Final Thoughts on Your Exquisite Meal

I sincerely hope you and your loved ones enjoy this easy yet incredibly elegant Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Horseradish Sauce. It’s a dish designed to create lasting memories, whether it’s a festive holiday gathering or a cozy date night. The combination of tender beef, a savory herb crust, and the zing of horseradish is truly unforgettable.

Please feel free to leave a comment below with your feedback and a star rating. I would absolutely love to hear if you serve this exquisite tenderloin recipe for your next special occasion and how it was received!

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