Are you looking to impress your friends and family with a delicious and juicy smoked beef tenderloin? This recipe is perfect for special occasions or a simple weekend barbecue. With a smoky flavor and tender texture, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
This recipe requires a pellet smoker, a meat thermometer, a cast iron pan, and a few other basic kitchen tools. Although it may seem intimidating for beginners, this recipe is relatively easy to follow, and with our helpful tips and detailed instructions, you will be able to master it in no time!
Get ready to fire up your pellet smoker and prepare a mouth-watering smoked beef tenderloin that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
The juicy and tender meat, combined with the smoky flavor from the wood pellets, will make this dish a standout in any barbecue spread.
So, let’s get started on this delicious recipe and become the backyard BBQ hero you’ve always wanted to be!
What is Beef Tenderloin?
Beef tenderloin is a cut of meat that is considered one of the most tender and delicious cuts available. It comes from the short loin, which is located on the back of the cow and is characterized by its long, cylindrical shape.
The beef tenderloin is different from other cuts of meat because of its tenderness, which is due to its lack of connective tissue and muscle. This makes it an ideal cut for special occasions and holiday meals.
When it comes to preparing beef tenderloin, it is best to keep it simple and let the natural flavor of the meat shine through. It is a lean cut, so it is important to avoid overcooking it, which can result in a dry and tough final product. It is recommended to cook a beef tenderloin to a medium-rare temperature, which is between 130°F and 135°F.
When you purchase beef tenderloin, look for a cut that is well-marbled and has a nice, even shape. This will ensure that it cooks evenly and remains juicy and tender throughout the cooking process. Before cooking, it is important to trim any excess fat and silver skin, which can affect the taste and texture of the final dish.
Overview: Smoked Beef Tenderloin
Get ready for the ultimate backyard BBQ experience with this delicious smoked beef tenderloin recipe! Here’s a quick and easy overview of the most important information you need to know to make this recipe a success.
- Preheat your pellet smoker to 225°F and smoke the seasoned beef tenderloin for about an hour until it reaches an internal temperature of 10°F under the desired doneness temperature (125°F for medium rare).
- Once it reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the smoker, heat a cast iron pan over high heat, and sear for about a minute on each side until it reaches the desired doneness temperature (135°F for medium rare).
- Slice and serve the delicious smoked beef tenderloin with your favorite sides and a white wine mushroom gravy!
How To Make Smoked Beef Tenderloin
Preheat the Pellet Smoker to 225°F
Prepare The Whole Beef Tenderloin
Make a Wet Rub
Rub the mixture all over the beef tenderloin, covering it evenly. This will help create a delicious crust on the outside of the meat while also keeping it juicy and tender on the inside.
Smoke Beef Tenderloin
Remove Beef Tenderloin From Smoker
Heat a Cast Iron Pan On High Heat
Sear Beef Tenderloin
Rest and Serve
What To Serve With Smoked Beef Tenderloin
Smoked beef tenderloin is a delicious and elegant main course that can be served on a variety of occasions, including holidays, dinner parties, or special events.
To make the meal even more memorable, we recommend serving it with smoked asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, and a delicious white wine mushroom gravy.
These side dishes perfectly complement the rich, smoky flavor of the beef tenderloin, and each one brings its own unique flavor and texture to the table.
How To Make White Wine Mushroom Gravy
This white wine mushroom gravy is the perfect finishing touch to smoked beef tenderloin, adding a rich and savory flavor to the meal.
- Melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat in a large saute pan
- Stir in 1 finely diced shallot and cook until translucent
- Stir in 8 oz of sliced portabella mushrooms, stirring often until soft (about 5 minutes)
- Add 2 tbsp flour and stir until combined, breaking up any clumps
- Add 1 cup of white wine and stir while scraping the bottom of the pan
- Add 1 cup beef stock and 1/4 cup heavy cream, continue stirring
- Season with 1 tsp fresh thyme and salt and pepper to taste
Best Beer To Pair With Smoked Beef Tenderloin
When it comes to pairing a great meal with an equally delicious drink, beer is always a top choice. If you’re looking for the perfect beer to accompany your smoked beef tenderloin, look no further!
Belgian Dubbel
This rich and malty beer is a perfect match for the bold flavors of smoked beef tenderloin. Its fruity and nutty notes complement the smoky taste of the meat, making it a great choice for any BBQ lover.
English Porter
With its chocolate and coffee notes, an English Porter is a fantastic pairing for the savory taste of smoked beef tenderloin. The smoked beef tenderloin roast flavors in the beer enhance the smoky notes in the meat, creating a harmonious balance of flavors in your mouth.
American Brown Ale
American Brown Ales are known for their nutty and caramel notes, which pair well with the natural sweetness of the beef tenderloin. Its smooth and easy-drinking character makes it a great beer to enjoy with your BBQ feast.
Tips For Making Smoked Beef Tenderloin
Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or a beginner in the backyard BBQ world, these tips are sure to help you achieve the perfect juicy and flavorful beef tenderloin every time.
Keep It Consistent
When smoking beef tenderloin, try to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process.
Set your pellet smoker to 225°F and make sure to keep it there for the entire cooking time. If you’re using a smoker with dampers for temperature control, this could be a little harder.
Wood Pellets
The type of wood pellets you use can greatly affect the flavor of your smoked beef tenderloin. Use fruitwood pellets like cherry or apple for a mild and slightly sweet flavor. For a bolder flavor, try mesquite or hickory.
Check Internal Temperature
The internal temperature of the beef tenderloin is crucial to its doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature and make sure it reaches 10°F under your desired doneness (125°F for medium rare) before removing it from the smoker and transferring it to your cast iron pan for searing beef tenderloin.
Related Recipes
- Smoked Pork Tenderloin
- Smoked Moose Tenderloin
- Bacon Wrapped Smoked Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- Smoked Baby Back Ribs
- Smoked Lamb Shoulder

Smoked Beef Tenderloin
Equipment
- Pellet Smoker (or any smoker of your choice)
- BBQ Grill Accessories (Tongs) (Tongs)
- Plastic wrap
- Cast Iron Pan
Ingredients
- 2-4 Â lbs lbs beef tenderloin trimmed trimmed
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
Wet Rub
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 Garlic cloves
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp Fresh cracked pepper
- 2 tsp Fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Preheat your pellet smoker to 225°F.
- Trim the beef tenderloin of any excess fat and silver skin.
- Combine ingredients to make a wet rub (garlic, salt, black pepper, thyme, and olive oil) and rub the mixture all over the beef tenderloin, covering it evenly.
- Place the seasoned beef tenderloin on the smoker grate and smoke for about an hour or until it reaches an internal temperature of 10°F under the desired doneness temperature. (125°F for medium rare)
- Once the beef tenderloin reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the smoker.
- Heat a cast iron pan over high heat with olive oil.
- Sear the beef tenderloin for about a minute on each side until it reaches the desired doneness temperature. (135°F for medium rare)
- Let the beef tenderloin rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious smoked beef tenderloin!