Easy Barefoot Contessa Beef Tenderloin Recipe for Perfect Dinners

Barefoot Contessa’s beef tenderloin, a luxurious cut of meat, transforms ordinary dinners into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Sophisticated yet surprisingly simple, this recipe promises restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Tender and succulent, the beef practically melts in your mouth, creating an instant sensation of gourmet indulgence.

Passionate home cooks adore this method for its foolproof technique and impressive presentation.

Rich, buttery flavors complement the meat’s natural elegance, elevating a classic protein to new heights.

Each carefully seasoned slice promises a delectable journey through texture and taste.

The magic lies in precise temperature control and impeccable technique: prepare to dazzle your dinner guests.

What Makes Contessa Beef Tenderloin So Luxurious

• Effortlessly Elevate Dinner: This recipe transforms a simple beef tenderloin into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece with minimal cooking skills required, making gourmet dining accessible to home cooks.
• Precision Meets Perfection: The exact roasting time of 22-25 minutes ensures a perfectly cooked tenderloin with a beautiful rare to medium-rare finish, creating a tender and juicy centerpiece that will impress any dinner guest.
• Decadent Cheese Sauce Magic: The Gorgonzola sauce brings an explosion of rich, creamy flavor that perfectly complements the beef, adding a luxurious touch that turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience without complicated preparation.

All the Must-Haves for Contessa Beef Tenderloin

• Beef Tenderloin: Premium cut of meat with exceptional tenderness and rich flavor. Best when fresh and high-quality from a trusted butcher.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing the meat's natural taste and creating a delicious crust.

• Heavy Cream: Rich base for creating a luxurious and smooth Gorgonzola sauce. Select fresh, high-fat cream for best results.
• Gorgonzola: Creamy blue cheese that provides bold, tangy flavor to the sauce. Choose a high-quality, authentic Italian variety.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds depth and sharp, salty notes to the sauce. Opt for freshly grated authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano.

• Butter: Helps create a golden crust and adds rich flavor to the beef. Use unsalted, room-temperature butter for best coating.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides a bright, fresh garnish and subtle herbal note to the sauce. Choose vibrant green leaves.

How to Cook Contessa Beef Tenderloin

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Crank up your oven to a blazing 500°F (260°C). Ensure the rack is positioned in the center for even cooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Beef

• Remove beef tenderloin from refrigerator
• Pat dry completely with paper towels
• Generously coat with room-temperature butter
• Sprinkle evenly with: Kosher salt, Freshly ground black pepper

Step 3: Roast the Beef

• 22 minutes for rare
• 25 minutes for medium-rare

Step 4: Let the Beef Rest

Remove beef from oven and wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Allow to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. This crucial step helps redistribute juices for maximum tenderness.

Step 5: Craft the Gorgonzola Sauce

• Pour heavy cream
• Bring to a full boil over medium-high heat
• Simmer for 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened

Step 6: Finish the Sauce

• Gorgonzola cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chopped fresh parsley

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

• Remove strings from beef
• Slice into generous portions
• Drizzle with warm Gorgonzola sauce
• Serve immediately

Tips for a Stellar Contessa Beef Tenderloin

• Slice Strategically: Cut beef against the grain with a razor-sharp knife to maximize tenderness and presentation quality.
• Prepare Ahead Perfectly: Make Gorgonzola sauce in advance, reheating gently to preserve its luxurious, silky consistency.
• Whisk Wisely: Blend Gorgonzola sauce carefully to prevent ingredient separation and maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
• Rest Respectfully: Allow beef to settle after cooking, enabling natural juice redistribution for incredibly succulent meat slices.
• Roast Precisely: Maintain consistent oven temperature by minimizing door openings and setting a precise cooking timer.

Preserving Contessa Beef Tenderloin

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer for your beef tenderloin. Remove all air from the packaging, which prevents oxidation and bacterial growth. This method extends storage life up to 7 days and maintains meat quality perfectly.
• Cool Compression Wrapping: Create a protective barrier by tightly wrapping the tenderloin in butcher paper or food-grade plastic wrap. Press out excess air to minimize moisture loss and prevent freezer burn. Slide the wrapped meat into a freezer-safe bag for extra protection, ensuring it stays fresh for 3-4 months.
• Temperature-Controlled Storage: Position the wrapped tenderloin in the coldest section of your refrigerator, typically the back shelf. Keep the temperature consistently below 40°F to slow bacterial development. Check meat periodically for any color changes or unusual odors that might indicate spoilage.

Creative Variations on Contessa Beef Tenderloin

• Herb-Crusted Classic: Coat the beef tenderloin with a blend of fresh rosemary, thyme, and chopped garlic before roasting, creating a aromatic herb crust that enhances the meat's rich flavor.
• Smoky Pepper Version: Rub the tenderloin with smoked paprika, cracked black pepper, and a touch of brown sugar before cooking, delivering a bold and slightly sweet exterior that caramelizes during roasting.
• Mediterranean Infusion: Marinate the beef in olive oil, lemon zest, oregano, and minced garlic for two hours before cooking, introducing bright Mediterranean flavors that complement the tender meat's natural richness.
• Spicy Southwest Approach: Mix chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and ground coriander to create a robust spice rub that gives the beef a warm, zesty kick and deep southwestern character.

A Reflection on Contessa Beef Tenderloin

Barefoot Contessa’s beef tenderloin emerges as culinary poetry, showcasing Ina Garten’s masterful technique.

Classic elegance radiates through each carefully prepared slice, promising restaurant-quality dining at home.

Salt and pepper create magical seasoning, while butter ensures luxurious moisture throughout the meat.

Rich Gorgonzola sauce transforms simple ingredients into extraordinary experience, complementing beef’s robust character.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe bridges gourmet techniques with home kitchen comfort.

You’ll find yourself craving another bite, sharing this incredible dish with friends, clicking that like button, and spreading deliciousness across social media platforms.

Barefoot Contessa Beef Tenderloin Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s beef tenderloin elevates dinner with elegant simplicity and rich flavor profiles from classic French cuisine. Herb-crusted and perfectly roasted, this luxurious centerpiece promises a memorable meal that will delight guests and satisfy serious home chefs.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 whole beef tenderloin (4 to 5 pounds), trimmed and tied

Cheeses:

• 3 to 4 ounces (85 to 113 grams) crumbly gorgonzola (not creamy or “dolce”)
• 3 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Warm the culinary workspace by heating the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius), ensuring precise temperature calibration.
2. Select the beef tenderloin and position it carefully on a clean baking sheet. Meticulously dab the meat surface with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture. Massage room-temperature butter across the entire cut, creating a smooth protective layer. Generously distribute kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper evenly, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
3. Transfer the prepared tenderloin into the fully preheated oven. Roast for precisely 22 minutes to achieve a rare doneness or extend to 25 minutes for a medium-rare texture.
4. Upon completion of roasting, immediately extract the beef from the oven. Envelop the meat completely with aluminum foil, allowing it to rest undisturbed at ambient temperature for 20 minutes, enabling internal juices to redistribute.
5. Carefully remove any kitchen twine binding the roast. Slice the tenderloin into substantial, uniform portions using a sharp carving knife.
6. For the Gorgonzola sauce, pour heavy cream into a medium saucepan. Elevate to medium-high heat, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil. Maintain constant vigilance, stirring intermittently for 45 to 50 minutes until the cream substantially thickens and reduces.
7. Remove the saucepan from heat source. Incorporate crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, grated Parmesan, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and finely chopped parsley. Whisk continuously until the cheeses completely melt and integrate into a smooth, luxurious sauce.
8. Serve the sauce immediately alongside the sliced tenderloin. If reheating becomes necessary, utilize low heat while whisking vigorously to restore the sauce’s original silky consistency.

Notes

• Let the butter soften at room temperature to guarantee effortless spreading and maximum flavor penetration.
• Roast the beef at high heat to develop a mouthwatering caramelized crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
• Allow the meat to rest after cooking, giving those delicious juices time to settle back into every fiber for an incredible eating experience.
• Create a silky Gorgonzola sauce by gently reducing cream and whisking cheese until achieving a luxurious, lump-free consistency.
• Garnish with fresh parsley to introduce a vibrant, herbal brightness that beautifully balances the rich, decadent flavors.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 950
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 78 g
• Saturated Fat: 43 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 59 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg