Christmas Eve Beef Tenderloin

A Christmas Eve tradition and the only way to prepare Beef Tenderloin.  Follow this Ina Garten recipe exactly and you will have the perfect beef tenderloin every time.  

1 whole filet of beef (4-5 pounds) trimmed and tied
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.

Place the beef on a baking sheet and pat the outside dry with a paper towel.

Spread the butter on with your hands.

Sprinkle evenly with the salt and pepper.

Roast in the oven for exactly 22 minutes for rate and 25 minutes for medium-rare.

*I roast ours for exactly 24 minutes.

Remove the beef from the oven, cover it tightly with aluminum foil and allow it to rest at room temperature (on the kitchen counter) for 20 minutes.  

Remove the strings and slice the filet thickly.  

**Serve with Blue Cheese Butter (Recipe Below):

1 stick unsalted butter, slightly softened
1/4 cup crumbled good blue cheese
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Combine the butter, cheese, and thyme in a bowl and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 

Here is our plated dinner, Christmas Eve 2019.