Herb and Spice Beef Tenderloin Roast

Herb and spice beef tenderloin recipe

The Spruce Eats / Nita West

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 55 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 10 to 12 servings
Yield: 1 roast

This beef tenderloin roast is seasoned with a wonderful array of dried herbs and spices including rosemary, thyme, garlic, nutmeg, tarragon, among others, that are then combined with Dijon mustard and rubbed on the roast. This mixture gives extra flavor to this tender and delicious beef tenderloin. 

The most tender and expensive cut of beef, beef tenderloin contains not only the filet mignon but the porterhouse and T-bone steak cuts, too. It is an oblong shape and when you roast this piece of meat, remember if there is a pointy tip to fold it over and tie it to the main part of the roast, so this portion doesn't overcook. Beef tenderloin is best-cooked medium-rare to medium, so check with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches about 145 F. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing, so it achieves the maximum juicy and tenderness these roasts are known for. 

Serve this beef tenderloin with your favorite mashed or roasted potatoes and a side vegetable or tossed salad. For a finishing touch for this oh-so-special dinner, include a decadent chocolate dessert.

Ingredients

  • 1 (3- to 4-pound) beef tenderloin roast, trimmed

  • 1 teaspoon dried leaf rosemary

  • 2 teaspoons dried leaf thyme

  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

  • 1 teaspoon dried leaf tarragon

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for beef tenderloin

    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  2. Preheat oven to 400 F. Place the roast on a rack in a roasting pan.

    Place roast on rack

    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  3. Combine the rosemary, thyme, garlic, nutmeg, allspice, salt, tarragon, pepper, and mustard. Rub the mixture all over the roast.

    Combine rosemary, thyme, and garlic

    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  4. Roast for 45 to 55 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer registers about 145 F when inserted into the thickest part of the roast.

    Roast

    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  5. Remove from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let the roast rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

    Remove from oven

    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

  6. Slice and serve with your choice of sides.

    Slice and serve

    The Spruce Eats / Nita West

Tip

If the beef tenderloin is not already tied when you purchase it, tie it with butcher's twine before seasoning the roast.

How to Store and Freeze

Any leftover cooked beef tenderloin should be placed in an airtight container and refrigerated. It should be eaten within three days.


You can freeze it also, but it must be placed in a freezer-safe bag with all the excess air squeezed out or vacuum-seal it, to ensure it doesn't get freezer-burn, and used within two to three months.

Why let beef tenderloin rest before slicing?

The secret to getting that perfectly juicy, tender, and succulent piece of meat, whether it be in roast or steak form, is to let it rest before slicing it. The act of letting it sit allows the meat to cool and juices to head back into the meat and be reabsorbed, rather than pooling on the plate.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
493 Calories
37g Fat
1g Carbs
36g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10 to 12
Amount per serving
Calories 493
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g 48%
Saturated Fat 15g 74%
Cholesterol 129mg 43%
Sodium 297mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 36g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 23mg 2%
Iron 5mg 28%
Potassium 513mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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