Smoked Beef Tenderloin Recipe

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Smoked Beef Tenderloin

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

Before you start cooking, you need to make sure your pellet smoker is ready to go. Set the temperature to 225°F and let it heat up. This will create a low and slow smoke that will help infuse the beef tenderloin with a delicious smoky flavor.

Prepare The Whole Beef Tenderloin

Trimming the entire beef tenderloin is an important step in ensuring that it cooks evenly. You’ll want to remove any excess fat or silver skin from the meat. This will not only help the meat cook evenly, but it will also prevent any unwanted flavors from infiltrating the meat.

Make a Wet Rub

For this recipe, you’ll be making a wet rub to season the beef tenderloin. Mix together minced garlic, salt, black pepper, thyme, and olive oil in a bowl to create a flavorful mixture.

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

Once your beef tenderloin is seasoned, it’s time to place it on the smoker grill grates. Smoke the beef tenderloin for about an hour or until it reaches an internal temperature of 10°F under the desired doneness temperature. For medium rare, this temperature should be 125°F.

Remove Beef Tenderloin From Smoker

Once the beef tenderloin has reached the desired internal temperature, it’s time to take it off the smoker. The low and slow smoke will have infused the meat with a delicious smoky flavor, and it’s now time to finish cooking it.

Heat a Cast Iron Pan On High Heat

Heat a cast iron pan over high heat with olive oil. The high heat will help create a sear on the outside of the beef tenderloin, which will lock in all of the juices and flavor.

Sear Beef Tenderloin

Sear the beef tenderloin for about a minute on each side until it reaches the desired doneness temperature. Someone called it reverse sear method. For medium rare, this temperature should be 135°F. The sear will create a crispy crust on the outside of the meat, while the inside will remain juicy and tender.

Rest and Serve

Let the beef tenderloin rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the meat to settle and the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and tender final product. Enjoy your delicious smoked beef tenderloin!

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.

  1. Melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat in a large saute pan
  2. Stir in 1 finely diced shallot and cook until translucent
  3. Stir in 8 oz of sliced portabella mushrooms, stirring often until soft (about 5 minutes)
  4. Add 2 tbsp flour and stir until combined, breaking up any clumps
  5. Add 1 cup of white wine and stir while scraping the bottom of the pan
  6. Add 1 cup beef stock and 1/4 cup heavy cream, continue stirring
  7. 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.

Smoked Beef Tenderloin

Smoked Beef Tenderloin

Delicious Smoked Beef Tenderloin you can try at home.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2-4  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!

Smoked Beef Tenderloin FAQs

What is the best type of wood pellet to use for smoked beef tenderloin?

For this recipe, we recommend using a mild to medium-flavored wood pellets such as hickory, cherry, or apple. These types of pellets will provide a great smoky flavor without overpowering the taste of the beef.

How long does it take to smoke beef tenderloin on a pellet smoker?

It takes approximately 1 hour to smoke the beef tenderloin on a pellet smoker at 225°F. Of course, this will depend on your preferred doneness of the meat. Our recipe uses medium-rare as a guiding point, but you can cook it anywhere from rare to well-done to accommodate your preferences. Don’t forget to have a meat thermometer handy!

What temperature should the beef tenderloin reach before being seared?

The beef tenderloin should reach an internal temperature of 10°F under the desired doneness temperature (125°F for medium rare) before being seared in a cast iron pan over high heat. It will reach the final 10°F in the hot pan!

Can I use a different type of smoker for this recipe?

While this smoked tenderloin recipe was developed for a pellet smoker, you can use any type of smoker you have available. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed based on your specific smoker.

Can I use a different type of meat instead of beef tenderloin?

While this recipe was developed specifically for beef tenderloin, you can use other cuts of beef if desired like filet mignon, whole tenderloin, center cut beef tenderloin. Just keep in mind that cooking time and internal temperature goals may vary based on the cut of meat used.

Can I sear beef tenderloin without a cast iron pan?

Yes, you can still make this recipe without a cast iron pan. Just use any heavy-bottomed skillet or grill grates that can withstand high heat.

How do I know when the beef tenderloin is fully cooked?

The internal temperature of the beef tenderloin is the most accurate way to determine if it’s fully cooked. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and make sure it reaches the desired doneness temperature (135°F for medium rare).

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