When someone showed me the Instant Pot for the first time, the best thing about it was that it could cook frozen meats quickly. What a thrill it was to place a frozen chunk of meat inside and have it cook tender. Yes, I love my instant pot. Did you know that you don’t need an instant pot to cook a frozen roast in the oven? You probably already have something very useful in your kitchen that can do the job in two hours or less. This may just be the mind blowing new kitchen gadget you’ve been waiting for: it’s the Oven!.
Yes, it’s true. It’s not true that we need fancy new tools to cook frozen meat. I don’t know when we were told that. That frozen roast can be cooked all the way through in your kitchen oven. I’ll even show you how to keep it moist and tender. By the way: the instant pot won’t make it in much less time than your oven!.
A frozen beef tenderloin roast may seem intimidating to cook, but with the right techniques, you can achieve restaurant-quality results right at home. This lean, tender cut of meat makes an elegant entrée for holidays, date nights, or any special occasion. Follow this simple guide for foolproof tips on thawing, seasoning, cooking methods, doneness levels, and more for your frozen beef tenderloin roast.
Why Choose a Frozen Beef Tenderloin Roast?
While fresh beef tenderloin is ideal a frozen roast offers convenience and flexibility. Frozen roasts are easy to store for later use and you can often find high-quality frozen options at an affordable price point. And when thawed and cooked properly, frozen roasts can deliver incredibly tasty, tender meat on par with fresh.
Proper Thawing Is Key
Always thaw frozen roasts gradually in the refrigerator. This protects quality and prevents bacteria growth. Plan ahead, as a large roast may take 2-3 days to thaw. For faster thawing, seal the roast in a plastic bag and submerge in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Once thawed, pat the roast dry and allow it to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
Simple Seasoning for Big Flavor
Beef tenderloin has a mild, subtly beefy flavor that benefits from bold seasoning. For fantastic results, coat the roast evenly with
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme
Rub the seasonings into the meat, cover, and let sit for 30 minutes before cooking The oil helps the seasonings adhere while allowing time for the flavors to penetrate
Oven Roasting Yields Tender, Juicy Meat
Roasting is the easiest, most foolproof cooking method for frozen beef tenderloin roasts. It uses dry heat to gently cook the meat while producing a beautiful browned exterior.
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Preheat oven to 425°F. Place roast on a rack in a roasting pan.
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Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part of the roast.
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Roast uncovered, basting occasionally with pan juices, until it reaches 5°F below desired doneness.
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Smaller roasts take about 15 minutes per pound. Larger roasts take 18-25 minutes per pound.
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Let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. The temperature will continue rising 5-10°F.
Monitor Temperature for Perfect Doneness
Using a meat thermometer is crucial for perfect doneness. Target these internal temperatures:
- Rare: 120-125°F (red center)
- Medium rare: 130-135°F (warm pink center)
- Medium: 140-145°F (hot pink center)
- Medium well: 150-155°F (trace of pink)
- Well done: 160°F+ (no pink)
Medium rare is ideal for tenderloin’s delicate texture.
Add a Quick Sear for Gorgeous Crust
For a restaurant-worthy presentation, quickly sear the cooked roast. Heat a skillet with oil over high heat until smoking. Sear 30-60 seconds per side until deeply browned. Slice and serve!
Complement with Simple Sides
Beef tenderloin’s mild flavor pairs well with all kinds of sides. Consider:
- Roasted or mashed potatoes
- Sauteed mushrooms
- Steamed asparagus or green beans
- Creamed spinach or roasted Brussels sprouts
- Fresh dinner rolls or focaccia
A red wine reduction or béarnaise sauce also complements tenderloin beautifully.
Handy Leftover Tips
Leftover roasted tenderloin makes amazing sandwiches, salads, or weekday meals.
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Store sliced roast in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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Use slices in sandwiches, wraps, pitas, or over salad greens.
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Dice or shred for beef tacos, nachos, pizza, pasta, or fried rice.
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For quick appetizers, slice and serve on crostini or crackers. Top with horseradish or chimichurri.
With proper thawing, seasoning, cooking, and storage, a frozen beef tenderloin roast can be the star of your next special meal or dinner party. Follow these tips for impressive results and rave reviews!
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How to Cook a Frozen Roast in the Oven
Before we start please note these directions are for cooking the roast by itself. If you want to cook your frozen beef roast with vegetables, there are specific steps at the end of this post.
Preheat the oven to 450 Degrees Fahrenheit and remove the plastic wrap or paper from the frozen meat. Wash your cut of beef clean in cold water and pat dry. For a dry rub recipe, see below. You can also just use salt, pepper, and a few of your favorite herbs, like rosemary or onion powder.
Pat the dry rub on all sides of your fresh roast. Place the seasoned roast into your baking dish, roast pan or dutch oven. Pour one cup of beef broth, chicken broth or red wine over the roast. These add extra flavor and moisture for a juicy roast. If you don’t have any of these, feel free to use water. It won’t add to the flavor of the meat, but will still help keep the roast moist.
Put the lid on top or cover well with aluminum foil. Place in the middle of the oven and lower the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. It will take about 20 to 25 minutes per pound to cook, so a 4-pound frozen roast will need about 80 to 100 minutes to cook. Unfortunately this isn’t a fool proof way to cook a frozen roast.
Instead, I start with cooking for one hour.
Frozen Beef Roast in Oven
Directions for how to cook a frozen Beef Roast in the oven.
- -One 3-5 pound beef roast cut
- -1 Cup chicken broth, beef broth or red wine
- For Rub:
- 1/2 Tablespoon Sea Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tablespoon Paprika
- 1 Tablespoon Coconut Sugar or Brown Sugar
- Warm the oven up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and take the frozen meat out of the paper or plastic wrap. Clean your beef cut in cold water and pat it dry. Rub the dry rub on all sides of roast. Season the roast and put it in a baking dish, roast pan, or Dutch oven.
- Cover the roast with one cup of red wine, chicken broth, or beef broth. Cover well with aluminum foil or put the lid on top. Put it in the middle of the oven and turn down the heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Set timer to cook for one hour.
- Take off the lid and put the meat thermometer in the middle of the meat to find out what the temperature is inside. Leave the lid off and keep cooking until it’s done, checking the temperature often.
- Rare -120°F
- Medium rare – 130-135°F
- Medium – 135-145°F
- Medium well – 145-155°F
- Well Done – 155°F
As for how done you like your roast, cook it until it’s ten degrees less than what you want. Like, if you want the roast’s middle to be medium, cook it until it’s medium rare at 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Then turn off the oven and let the roast sit for 15 minutes before removing from the oven. Think of this a using the natural release in your instant pot.
The roast stays moist because of this, turning it into a tender roast while still slightly cooking it. After 15 minutes remove the finished roast from the oven. You should aim for medium rare or medium in the very middle of a roast for the best results.
It will take about 20 to 25 minutes per pound to cook, so a 4-pound frozen roast will need about 80 to 100 minutes to cook. Unfortunately this isnt a fool proof way to cook a frozen roast.
Turn on the timer for an hour, then take off the lid and stick the meat thermometer into the middle of the meat to find out what the temperature is inside. Leave the lid off and continue cooking until it’s done, consistently checking the temperature.
This is very important: cook your roast until it’s ten degrees below how well done you like it. Like, if you want the roast’s middle to be medium, cook it until it’s medium rare at 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Then turn off the oven and let the roast sit for 15 minutes before removing from the oven. Think of this a using the natural release in your instant pot.
During this time, the roast can seal in the moisture, which makes it tender while still slightly cooking it. After 15 minutes remove the finished roast from the oven. You should aim for medium rare or medium in the very middle of a roast for the best results.
- Rare -120°F
- Medium rare – 130-135°F
- Medium – 135-145°F
- Medium well – 145-155°F
- Well Done – 155°F
How to Cook a Beef Tenderloin Roast
FAQ
Can beef tenderloin be cooked from frozen?
How long should I cook a frozen beef roast in the oven?
Can you cook a frozen roast without thawing?
Which type of cooking method would be best for a beef tenderloin filet?
How to cook frozen beef tenderloin in oven?
The recommended cooking method for frozen beef tenderloin is oven roasting. Preheat your oven to a high temperature, around 425°F (220°C), and place the frozen tenderloin on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan. How long should I cook frozen beef tenderloin in the oven?
How do you cook roasted beef tenderloin?
A recipe for the best roasted beef tenderloin made with a thick peppered crust, cooked to perfection. Set out the tenderloin out at room temperature 45 minutes prior to roasting. Preheat the oven to 425° and have ready a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Add freshly ground pepper to a small bowl, add the salt and stir to mix.
How to roast beef tenderloin at 425?
Here’s how to roast beef tenderloin at this temperature. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the beef tenderloin on a rack in a roasting pan. (Tip: You don’t need to sear beef tenderloin before roasting.) Insert an oven-going meat thermometer in the thickest part of the roast.
How to cook a whole beef tenderloin?
The Method | Roasting is the best way to cook a whole beef tenderloin. This means that the tenderloin will go into the oven at a high temperature, and air will circulate around the tenderloin for even cooking. For this, you will need a roasting pan and rack. The Heat | A digital thermometer will be your best friend in this category.