How Long To Cook A 3 Pound Beef Tenderloin Roast

Roasted Beef Tenderloin is a showstopper! This tried and true method is easy (no marinating required), and produces melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavorful beef. Pair it with creamy horseradish sauce for an unforgettable dinner.

This is a special occasion recipe, perfect for a date night in or Valentines Day. It is on the same level as our popular Filet Mignon in Cream Sauce, succulent Broiled Lobster Tails or the ever impressive Prime Rib.

Roasted Beef Tenderloin Sliced into medallions on a cutting board

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Classic Beef Tenderloin Recipe:

A filet of beef is a pricey, but don't let that intimidate you. We're sharing everything from how to trim, tie and how to cook beef tenderloin. Watch the video and you will realize how easy it is to achieve restaurant quality results.

Up close slices of roasted beef tenderloin

This beef tenderloin is fork tender and every bite has fantastic flavor from the garlic herb crust. Adding horseradish to the rub adds another subtle layer of memorable flavor (don't skip it!).

Ingredients for beef tenderloin recipe with filet of beef, garlic, butter, horseradish sauce, thyme and rosemary

How to Trim Beef Tenderloin Roast:

If you see shiny "silver skin" on your beef tenderloin, you will want to trim that away as it is fibrous and chewy connective tissue that won't allow flavor to penetrate your tenderloin.

Slide tip of knife just under connective tissue
Keep knife tip close to surface of the meat to minimize meat loss
Use your other hand to pull connective tissue tight against the blade
Slide the knife angled away from the meat until it exits

*Also trim away excess fat from tenderloin – unlike most steaks, fat is unnecessary on beef tenderloin.

Step by step tutorial for how to trim beef tenderloin with a knife

How to Tie a Beef Tenderloin:

Tying a tenderloin is important for even cooking. It makes the thickness more uniform and if you have a thin end on one side, you can tuck it under the tenderloin and tie to secure it in place, otherwise one end will be raw and the other over-cooked. A butcher can do this for you.Watch the video recipe for a full demonstration.

Use a kitchen string to loop around one of the tenderloin and tie a snug knot
Loop the string around your left hand and pull that loop over your tenderloin
Repeat the loops, spacing 1-inch apart and tightening each one snugly
Tie off the end with a knot after 5-6 loops

How to tie beef tenderloin with kitchen string tutorial

Serve Beef Tenderloin With:

Whipped Mashed Potatoes – rave reviews, always!
Homemade Creamy Horseradish Sauce – restaurant quality
Roasted Asparagus with parmesan and lemon
Caesar Salad with homemade croutons and dressing

How to serve roasted beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce

Watch Natasha Make Roasted Beef Tenderloin:

Make this and you will be known for your beef tenderloin!

Beef tenderloin sliced from a whole filet of beef on cutting board

Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

A garlic and herb crusted beef tenderloin with an easy, tried and true roasting method. No marinating required and for melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavorful beef.

Natasha of Natashaskitchen.com

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $45-$55

Keyword: beef tenderloin, filet of beef

Cuisine: American

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Calories: 452

Servings: 6 people

2 lb beef tenderloin , trimmed and tied
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 Tbsp prepared Horseradish, strained
2 garlic cloves
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary leaves
1/2 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

Remove tenderloin from refrigerator 1 hour before roasting. Trim and tie beef tenderloin. Preheat Oven to 500˚F with a rack in center.
Coarsely chop 2 garlic cloves then strip 1/2 Tbsp of fresh thyme leaves and 1 Tbsp of fresh rosemary. Finely mince together the garlic and herbs. Transfer them to a small mixing bowl. Add 2 Tbsp butter, 1 Tbsp horseradish, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Use a fork and mash to combine.
Pat tenderloin dry with paper towel and spread the garlic herb rub evenly all over the tenderloin and transfer to a roasting pan or oven safe skillet. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest portion of your tenderloin and roast in a preheated oven at 500˚F for 28-30 min for medium doneness (140-145˚F).
Remove from oven and transfer to cutting board, tent loosely with foil and rest 10 minutes. Slice into 1/2" thick slices, and serve right away.

Beef Tenderloin Temperature Chart:

22-23 min for rare (120-125˚F),
24-26 min medium-rare (130-135˚F)
28-30 min for medium doneness (138-140˚F) - what we aim for.
30-32 min for medium-well doneness (140-145˚F) - USDA recommends 145˚F.
33-35 min for well done (150˚F) - don't do this to your meat

*Timings can vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your tenderloin, so always check for desired doneness using an oven-safe meat thermometer.

Nutrition Facts

Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Amount Per Serving

Calories 452 Calories from Fat 324

% Daily Value*

Fat 36g 55%

Saturated Fat 15g 94%

Cholesterol 116mg 39%

Sodium 666mg 29%

Potassium 465mg 13%

Carbohydrates 1g 0%

Protein 27g 54%

Vitamin A 145IU 3%

Vitamin C 1.9mg 2%

Calcium 15mg 2%

Iron 3.7mg 21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

If you make this recipe, I'd love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Years ago, my husband and I stopped going out for Valentines Day after a bad restaurant experience (the busiest and worst day to go out to eat in my experience), and we've enjoyed our date-nights-in ever since! Are you going out or cooking in for Valentines Day? I'd love to know what you're cooking up!

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.