Herb-Crusted Beef Tenderloin Roast

If you’re looking for a recipe dad can make for mom for Mother’s Day I have the perfect grill recipe, herb crusted beef tenderloin. It’s the perfect recipe for a Mother’s Day backyard barbecue, or cookout.

Dad gets to hang out at the grill, and mom gets a delicious meal. You might have to help dad a little with the spices, but then you can turn him loose on the grill. The recipe will serve 10 to 12, so it’s enough to serve the whole family.

Herb-Crusted Beef Tenderloin Roast with White Wine Cream Sauce

Serves: 10 to 12
Prep time: 40 minutes

WAY TO GRILL: Direct and indirect medium heat (350° to 450°F)
GRILLING TIME: 35 to 45 minutes
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: butcher’s twine

Rub
1½ tablespoons dried tarragon
2½ teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1½ teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon rubbed dried sage, packed

1 whole beef tenderloin, 6 to 7 pounds, untrimmed
Extra-virgin olive oil

Sauce
½ cup minced shallot
½ cup rice vinegar
1½ teaspoons dried tarragon
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
½ cup dry white wine
½ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1½ cups whipping cream
½ cup packed minced fresh Italian parsley

Kosher salt

1. In a small bowl mix the rub ingredients.

2. Trim and discard the excess fat and silver skin from the tenderloin. Part of the thin “tail” end of the tenderloin may separate as it is trimmed, but leave it connected to the main muscle as much as possible. Lay the tenderloin out flat and straight, with the smoothest side up, aligning the narrow pieces at the tail end. Neatly fold the tail end of the tenderloin under itself to form an even thickness (one end may be larger). Tie the roast snugly with butcher’s twine at 2-inch intervals. Secure the folded end with two strings. Lightly coat the roast with oil. Season the roast all over with the rub.

3. Let the roast stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour before grilling. Prepare the grill for direct and indirect cooking over medium heat.

4. In a large skillet over high heat, combine the shallot, vinegar, tarragon, and thyme, and cook until the vinegar evaporates, 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Add the wine and broth and boil until reduced to about ½ cup, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cream and boil until the surface is covered with large, shiny bubbles and the sauce is reduced to about 1½ cups, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat, adjust the seasonings, and set aside. Reheat and add parsley just before serving.

5. Brush the cooking grates clean. Sear the roast over direct medium heat for about 15 minutes, turning a quarter turn once every 3 to 4 minutes. Then slide the roast over indirect medium heat and cook until it reaches your desired doneness, 20 to 30 minutes for medium rare (125° to 130°F), turning once. Keep the lid closed as much as possible during grilling. Remove from the grill, loosely tent with foil, and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. The temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees during this time.

6. Snip and remove all the twine from the roast. Cut the meat crosswise into ½- to 1-inch slices. Season to taste with salt. Serve warm with the sauce.

©2008 Weber-Stephen Products Co. Recipe and image from Weber’s Way to Grill™ by Jamie Purviance. Used with permission.