2 Ways to Cook Beef Tenderloin (and How Long to Cook It Per Pound)

By Updated Oct 21, 2021 Reviewed by
Here's how long to cook beef tenderloin per pound, and two delicious ways to cook it.
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For some home cooks, beef tenderloin takes center stage during special occasions — and a large, 8- to 10-pound tenderloin feeds a crowd. Because the tenderloin is a tender selection, it's typically more expensive than other cuts.

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Tenderloin is boneless, so leftovers — if there are any, given the premium flavor of this cut — can also elevate humdrum meals to savory delights, maximizing the expense of the cut.

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There are a few solid ways to cook beef tenderloin — roast it in the oven or grill it up if the weather's nice.

Beef tenderloin cooking time is around 10 minutes per pound at 425 F, according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Use the chart below to determine how long your cut of meat needs in the oven.

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Cooking Times Chart

Beef Tenderloin Size

Cooking Time (at 425 F)

7 lbs.

1 hr. 10 mins.

8 lbs.

1 hr. 20 mins.

9 lbs.

1 hr. 30 mins.

10 lbs.

1 hr. 40 mins.

How to Bake Beef Tenderloin in the Oven

Things You'll Need

  • Beef tenderloin

  • Roasting rack

  • Shallow roasting pan or large jelly roll pan

  • Favorite seasonings

  • Meat thermometer

  • Cutting board

  • Aluminum foil

Step 1: Bring Meat to Room Temperature

Allow beef to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In the kitchen, the oven is the most ideal method for cooking the best beef tenderloin recipe as it seals in the flavorful juices while roasting.

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Step 3: Place Rack in Pan

Fit a roasting rack into a large, shallow roasting pan. With the large size of this cut, you may have to fit two racks side by side into a large jelly roll pan.

Step 4: Season Your Meat

Place the tenderloin directly onto the rack. While this cut is delicious without any seasoning, consider adding your own culinary flair. Roll the tenderloin in cracked pepper or pat a seasoning mix into the meat.

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Chopped herbs or vegetables, such as parsley, oregano, tarragon, basil, finely minced onions and garlic blend well with the rich flavors of the meat and create flavorful juices. You can also add olive oil to the mixture to form a paste that better sticks to the beef.

Step 5: Roast Your Tenderloin

Roast your beef tenderloin with a cooking time of about 10 minutes per pound at 425 F.

So a 7-pound tenderloin will need about an hour and 10 minutes to fully bake.

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Step 6: Check the Temperature

Insert a meat thermometer into the center of the tenderloin to ensure it has reached the desired level of doneness.

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Tip

Beef tenderloin must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145 F, according to the USDA.

Step 7: Remove from Oven

Remove the roasting pan from the oven.

Step 8: Let It Rest

Transfer the tenderloin to a cutting board designated solely for meat and tent with foil for 15 to 20 minutes. The roast will continue to cook, raising the internal temperature by 5 to 10 degrees, so bear that in mind while monitoring the cooking temperature.

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Allowing the tenderloin to rest pulls the juices back toward the center of the meat, preventing them from running out as you carve.

Related Reading

A Roast Beef Recipe That Makes for the Perfect Entrée and Next-Day Sandwiches

How to Grill Beef Tenderloin

Things You'll Need

  • Beef tenderloin

  • Olive oil

  • Tongs

  • Meat thermometer

  • Cutting board

  • Aluminum foil

Step 1: Preheat Your Grill

Preheat a gas grill to medium-high or allow a charcoal grill to reduce to medium-hot ash.

Step 2: Season the Meat

Opt for your favorite herbs and spices. Make sure to season the tenderloin thoroughly.

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Step 3: Add Some Oil

Brush olive oil on the cooking grate and place the tenderloin directly onto the grate. Given the large size of the tenderloin, the grill may be an easier method of cooking as it can typically accommodate larger cuts of meat.

Step 4: Char the Outside

Char the outside of the tenderloin, turning the meat with tongs to ensure even blackening.

Step 5: Take Its Temperature

Move the tenderloin away from the center part of the grill and insert a meat thermometer into the beef.

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Step 6: Grill Until Fully Cooked

Close the lid to the grill and cook for 15 to 20 minutes per pound until the meat thermometer registers the desired temperature.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Remove the tenderloin from the grill, tent with foil and allow it to rest before carving.

Tip

Sauces are wonderful accompaniments to tenderloin — classics, such as a red-wine reduction or béarnaise, enhance the flavors of the beef.

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