Crockpot Beef Tenderloin Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Crockpot Beef Tenderloin Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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This Crockpot Beef Tenderloin melts in the mouth and takes minimal effort to make! Serve up with my easy béarnaise sauce, for a delicious meal. It’s perfect for the holidays and special occasions.

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Table of Contents

What’s in this Crockpot Beef Tenderloin Recipe?

Beef tenderloin is a fantastic cut, but can turn out dry and chewy if not cooked properly. This slow cooker beef recipe gives you tender, flavorful tenderloin every time! This is an easy showstopper, perfect for dinner parties and holidays!

  • Beef Tenderloin: A great cut of meat, but the key is to not overcook it, as it can become dry if cooked past medium-rare. You can trim and tie the tenderloin yourself but it is much easier to have a good butcher do it for you!
  • Garlic + Rosemary: The perfect complement to beef tenderloin! The key is strong, aromatic flavors, so make sure you go for fresh herbs.
  • White Wine Vinegar: The base of béarnaise. It adds a subtle acidity and sweetness. I do not recommend substituting another vinegar.
  • Shallot: Adds a subtle onion flavor to the béarnaise. Again, make sure to mince it small! No one wants a big bite of shallot in their sauce.
  • Dijon: Adds a bit of zing to the sauce to help cut through the richness. It also helps prevent the sauce from curdling.
  • Egg Yolks: Add richness and help thicken the sauce.
  • Unsalted Butter: Gives the sauce substance and richness, plus delicious butter flavor! No need to clarify it for this recipe.
  • Tarragon: The main flavor in béarnaise. It has a subtle anise flavor and pairs deliciously with beef. Don’t skip it!

Pro Tip: You can use 1½ teaspoons of dried tarragon in place of fresh.

Variations on Slow Cooker Beef Tenderloin

If you prefer a more Dijon-forward sauce, leave out the lemon and the sauce will be more mustard-herb. For a more subtle flavor (closer to a true béarnaise), add the juice of half of a lemon (about 1-2 tablespoons) and whisk to combine.

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Is beef tenderloin a good cut of meat?

Beef tenderloin iswidely regarded as the most tender cut of beef. It’s important not to overcook beef tenderloin, though, as it can become tough and dry if cooked past medium-rare. The crockpot is a great way to cook tenderloin low and slow.

Does beef go tough in the slow cooker?

Without enough liquid or cooking time, beef can turn out tough in the slow cooker. Make sure to add plenty of beef broth and check the temperature often towards the end of the cook time.

Is it best to cook beef tenderloin on high heat or low heat?

I recommend cooking this beef on low heat in the crockpot to ensure that it doesn’t cook too quickly and turn out tough.

What’s the ideal temperature for beef tenderloin?

Beef tenderloin is best served at medium-rare or below. Rare beef is usually cooked to 125-135°F, and medium-rare is up to 140°F. Feel free to download my meat temperature chart for easy reference!

Can I make crockpot beef tenderloin in the oven?

Yes! Preheat the oven to 285°F, season the beef, and cook on a rimmed baking sheet for 50-60 minutes, or until the beef registers 115°F internally. Cover tightly with foil and allow it to rest for 10 minutes while you prepare the sauce.

Why is my beef tenderloin tough?

If your tenderloin is tough, it’s likely that either the heat was too high or the beef is overcooked. I recommend cooking on low heat and not letting the meat get above 140°F.

What’s the difference between a hollandaise and a béarnaise sauce?

The main difference between a hollandaise and a béarnaise is flavor. The base of the sauce is the same, but a béarnaise sauce includes tarragon and shallots in a wine reduction.

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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover crockpot beef tenderloin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store leftover béarnaise sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat béarnaise sauce gently in a saucepan set over medium-low heat, and whisk in 1 egg yolk to restore the emulsion.

How to Freeze

Freeze crockpot beef tenderloin in an airtight container for up to 3 months and béarnaise sauce in a Ziplock bag for up to 1 month. Allow beef and sauce to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this delish dish with a multitude of yummy sides, like Three Cheese Asparagus Gratin, Garlic Mashed Cauliflower, Air Fryer Mushrooms, Classic Green Bean Casserole, or Chantilly Potatoes.

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Recipe

Crockpot Beef Tenderloin Recipe

4.68 from 73 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 25 minutes minutes

Cook: 6 hours hours

Total: 6 hours hours 25 minutes minutes

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Beef tenderloin absolutely shines in the crockpot! The cut comes out pink in the middle with browned edges, loaded with flavor, and super tender. An awesome addition to your holiday menu, plus the easy Béarnaise sauce adds a restaurant level of quality to the dinner. You will love this!

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Ingredients

For the Beef Tenderloin

  • 3 pounds center cut beef tenderloin trimmed and tied
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter room temperature (½ stick)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced rosemary
  • 1 cup low sodium beef broth

For the Shortcut “Béarnaise” Sauce

  • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted (1 stick)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon minced
  • ½ lemon juiced, optional (see note)

Instructions

For the Beef Tenderloin

  • Season the beef tenderloin generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

    3 pounds center cut beef tenderloin, Salt and pepper

  • In a small bowl, mix together the butter, garlic and rosemary. Rub the butter mixture over the beef tenderloin, making sure to cover all of the sides.

    ¼ cup unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh minced rosemary

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  • Sear tenderloin on all sides in a large skillet set over medium-high heat.

  • Transfer seared tenderloin to the crockpot and cover with beef broth.

    1 cup low sodium beef broth

  • Cook on low for 1½-4 hours, or until 135°F internally. Check the beef every 30 minutes after 1½ hours have passed. Temperature is VERY important with this recipe and each cut of meat is different.

  • Remove the meat and allow it to rest for 10 minutes tented with foil.

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  • When you’re ready to serve the tenderloin, remove the strings with scissors and slice the beef into ½-inch thick pieces.

For the Shortcut “Béarnaise” Sauce

  • Add the white wine vinegar, shallots, and garlic to a small saucepan set over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until it has reduced by half.

    ¼ cup white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon minced shallot, 1 clove garlic

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  • Add the dijon and egg yolks to the pan and whisk vigorously to combine– you don’t want the eggs to scramble.

    1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 large egg yolks

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  • Next slowly drizzle in the melted butter, whisking constantly.

    ½ cup unsalted butter

  • Once all of the butter has been added, cook the sauce for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring often, or until the sauce thickens just enough to coat the back of a spoon.

  • Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the tarragon and lemon (if desired). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, ½ lemon

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  • Serve immediately.

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • Lemon: If you prefer a more Dijon-forward sauce, leave out the lemon and the sauce will be more mustard-herb. For a more subtle flavor (closer to a true béarnaise), add the juice of half of a lemon (about 1-2 tablespoons) and whisk to combine.
  • You can use 1½ teaspoons of dried tarragon in place of fresh.
  • If your béarnaise sauce is not thickening, you likely added the butter a bit too quickly. This is easily fixed, though! Rinse out a mixing bowl with hot water. Put in a teaspoon of lemon juice and a tablespoon of the runny béarnaise sauce. Beat with a wire whisk for a moment until the sauce creams and thickens, then stir back into the runny sauce.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick, add 1 tablespoon of very hot water and whisk to combine. Keep adding hot water until you achieve your desired consistency.
  • If the sauce seems curdled, use the above instructions for a sauce that is too thin.

Storage:Store crockpot beef tenderloin in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Store béarnaise in a Ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 858kcal (43%) Carbohydrates: 2g (1%) Protein: 44g (88%) Fat: 74g (114%) Saturated Fat: 36g (225%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g Monounsaturated Fat: 28g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 285mg (95%) Sodium: 608mg (26%) Potassium: 843mg (24%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 857IU (17%) Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) Calcium: 51mg (5%) Iron: 6mg (33%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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FAQs

Is it better to cook beef tenderloin fast or slow? ›

Slow-roasting in a low oven cooks the tenderloin evenly from edge to center. Basting the tenderloin with browned butter flavored with thyme and shallots enhances browning and gives it more flavor.

Which cooking method is best for beef tenderloin? ›

The food web and a great many cookbooks (very many of them highly reputable) recommend blasting a tenderloin in a hot oven, 450–500°F (232–260°C), for a relatively short time to cook it, followed by a counter rest.

What does baking soda do to a beef tenderloin? ›

How to Tenderize Steaks and Chickens with Baking Soda. Baking soda acts as a meat tenderizer by changing the physical composition of meat fibers. It raises the pH levels on the surface and makes it tougher (pun intended) for the proteins in the meat to bond.

Does meat get more tender the longer it cooks in a slow cooker? ›

Your meat will be juicier and more tender

The longer cooking time and the low heat complement each other perfectly. As a result, even though the meat is cooked for far longer, it doesn't dry out because the temperature is low. As a result, this is the best way to retain all the natural juices of the meat.

Should you salt beef tenderloin before cooking? ›

Generously season roast with kosher salt. Keep uncovered in refrigerator for at least 6 hours, or up to overnight. About 1 to 1½ hours before planning to cook, remove roast from oven and allow to come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Do you have to sear beef tenderloin before roasting? ›

Should you sear beef tenderloin before cooking it? If roasting a tenderloin in the oven, you'll definitely want to sear it to get a golden brown crust. It doesn't take very long, and is so worth the effort.

Should you cook beef tenderloin on a rack? ›

Follow the directions below for cooking Beef Tenderloin Roast in the oven to perfection:
  1. Place the roast fat side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. ...
  2. Roast until a meat thermometer registers 130°F (about 25–30 minutes) for medium-rare doneness or 140°F for medium doneness (about 30–35 minutes).

Is beef tenderloin the same as filet mignon? ›

To sum up: Filet mignon is part of a beef tenderloin, but a beef tenderloin is not a filet mignon. Instead, it houses the filet mignon, which comes from the end portion of the tenderloin. The rest of the tenderloin can create other steak cuts or a delicious tenderloin roast to feed the family.

Should beef tenderloin be cooked covered or uncovered? ›

Bake uncovered 40 to 50 minutes or until thermometer reads at least 140°F. Cover beef with tent of aluminum foil and let stand about 15 minutes or until thermometer reads 145°F. (Temperature will continue to rise about 5°, and beef will be easier to carve.)

Do you have to rinse off baking soda meat? ›

Transfer the meat to a zip-top bag, stainless steel or glass bowl, or other non-reactive container, and refrigerate for 3 hours or up to overnight. Remove the meat from the container and briefly rinse the meat in plain water to strip off the baking soda solution (or as much of it as possible). Cook as desired.

How do Chinese make their meat so tender? ›

While there are several ways to velvet, a pound of meat needs about two teaspoons of cornstarch and two teaspoons of oil, says Leung. You may also include two to three tablespoons of water. For beef, add a 1/4-teaspoon of baking soda for tenderizing. Additional seasonings are optional and vary from recipe to recipe.

Why is my beef chewy in slow cooker? ›

If you overcook meat, it becomes dry and tough. Often people using a slow cooker and don't check when the food is actually done. If a recipe says cook for 8 hours on low, people may not check the food for 8 hours.

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

Is it better to roast a beef tenderloin at a high or low temperature? ›

Low-heat roasting— 225°F to 300°F, or 200°F to 275°F in a convection oven—will produce a roast with rosy interior that's evenly cooked all the way through, but you won't get much in the way of a well-seared crust.

How long does it take to cook beef tenderloin at 225 degrees? ›

Preheat the oven to 225 degrees. Sear the tenderloin in a large skillet using the searing steps above. Place the tenderloin on a baking sheet and move it into the middle of the oven, cooking for 2-4 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 125 degrees.

What is the best temperature to cook a beef tenderloin? ›

For roasts that are 2 to 3 pounds, roast at 425°F for 35 to 40 minutes for medium rare (135°F) and 45 to 50 minutes for medium (150°F) doneness. For roasts weighing 4 to 5 pounds, roast at 425°F for 50 to 60 minutes for medium rare (135°F) and 60 to 70 minutes for medium (150°F).

Is it better to roast or slow cook beef? ›

When roasted, the collagen and connective tissue present in meat will start to break down. It will melt more thoroughly if slow-roasted, and if you add liquid, it will break down even more quickly as it's water soluble.

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