Sometimes the most intimidating part of preparing a roast is shopping for one. For some reason, beef tenderloins cost more than other cuts of beef, and they can come in different shapes and sizes depending on where you buy them. Here are some tips that will give you the confidence to buy a beef tenderloin, whether you’re at the butcher or the Costco. These are the three things you need to know about buying beef tenderloin.
Figuring out how many pounds of beef tenderloin to buy for a dinner party can seem tricky. You want to make sure you purchase enough so everyone gets a nice portion, but you also don’t want to spend more than you need to on this premium cut of meat.
As someone who loves hosting dinners and wants my guests to feel satisfied, I’ve researched this question extensively. In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how much beef tenderloin to buy per person, plus plenty of tips for preparing the perfect tenderloin roast.
Calculating How Much Beef Tenderloin Per Person
The first thing to know is that beef tenderloin is an exceptionally tender lean and expensive cut of beef that comes from the short loin primal cut near the cow’s back. It’s very versatile and can be cut into filet mignon steaks or left whole for roasting.
When buying beef tenderloin for a party, a good rule of thumb is to estimate 1/2 pound of meat per person. This accounts for some shrinkage during cooking but still provides a hearty 6-8 oz portion.
So for a dinner party with 8 adults, you’ll want to buy around 4 pounds of beef tenderloin While this may sound like a lot of meat, keep in mind that tenderloin is very lean and doesn’t add up to a huge quantity once cooked and sliced.
If you want plenty of leftovers, or just want to play it safe, bump the amount up to 5 pounds. For a particularly large gathering or extra hungry guests, 6 pounds would be sufficient.
Factors That Affect Portion Sizes
While 1/2 pound per person is a straightforward baseline, there are a few factors that can alter ideal portion sizes:
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Side dishes – If you’ll be serving the tenderloin alongside multiple hearty side dishes, you may be able to get away with slightly smaller portions of meat.
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Appetites – Consider if your guests tend to have larger or smaller appetites on average. For a group of teenage boys, bump up the portions.
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Cooking method – Roast beef tenderloin has minimal shrinkage, but if you sous vide it first you may need to reduce portion sizes slightly.
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Leftovers – Adding an extra 1-2 pounds can help guarantee yummy leftovers the next day.
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Special diets – Accommodate vegetarians by reducing the amount of meat and adding more veggie sides.
So while 1/2 pound per adult is a handy starting point, feel free to adjust up or down according to your specific dinner plans.
Purchasing Your Beef Tenderloin
Once you know approximately how many pounds you need, it’s time to source your beef tenderloin. Here are some tips:
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Buy trimmed – Let the butcher do the work of removing the fat cap and silverskin for you. This leaves you with a ready-to-cook roast.
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Choose center-cut – Opt for a center-cut tenderloin roast which offers the most evenly shaped and sized portions.
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Inspect for marbling – Some intramuscular fat marbling is good, but avoid excessive fat deposits.
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Calculate scale weight – The weight at the register may exceed the usable meat weight once trimmed.
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Factor in cook loss – Expect around 15% cooking loss for a whole roasted tenderloin.
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Pick up a thermometer – A leave-in meat thermometer helps avoid overcooking this pricey roast.
A quality beef tenderloin may be one of the pricier cuts at the butcher counter. But when celebrating a special occasion with guests, it’s worth splurging on this exceptionally flavorful and tender meat.
Preparing and Cooking Your Tenderloin
You’ve bought the perfect beef tenderloin roast for your dinner party. Now it’s time to prepare it for the oven. Follow these tips for tenderloin success:
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Trim any excess fat – Leave a thin layer over the meat to baste it during cooking.
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Season well – Beef tenderloin has mild flavor on its own, so season boldly with salt, pepper and spices.
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Sear for flavor – Before roasting, sear the roast on all sides to develop a flavorful crust.
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Roast low and slow – Cook at around 250°F to get evenly cooked meat with a tender interior.
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Monitor temperature – Roast to between 125-130°F for a beautiful medium rare inside.
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Let rest before slicing – Allowing it to rest helps retain juices.
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Slice against the grain – This yields the most tender slices of roast beef for serving.
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Make a pan sauce – Using the flavorful meat juices left in the pan, you can make a simple sauce for serving.
With the right techniques and temperature monitoring, your dinner guests will be wowed when you present a perfectly cooked whole beef tenderloin at your next dinner party.
Handy Tips for Preparing Beef Tenderloin
Here are some additional pointers to ensure tenderloin success:
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Wrap in bacon for added moisture and flavor.
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Insert slivers of garlic into slits cut into the meat.
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Coat with a spice rub for a flavor boost.
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Top with compound butter for even more richness.
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Roast on a bed of vegetables to pick up the meaty drippings.
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Cook individual portions by cutting into filet mignon steaks.
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Take advantage of sales around the holidays when tenderloins are cheaper.
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Freeze leftovers in portion sizes to enjoy later.
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Utilize a meat thermometer and timer to avoid overcooking.
Alternative Cuts of Beef to Consider
While beef tenderloin is a spectacular choice for special occasions, there are some other roasts to keep in mind:
Prime rib – On par for tenderness and flavor while being more cost effective. Needs a long slow roast.
Tri-tip roast – Budget-friendly with excellent flavor. Best roasted, grilled or smoked.
Sirloin tip roast – A leaner and more affordable option. Slices beautifully.
Ribeye roast – All the flavor of ribeye steak in an impressive roast.
Eye round roast – An inexpensive lean cut good for large gatherings.
Beef tenderloin is ideal when you want extraordinary tenderness and are celebrating a big event. But these alternatives can help you pull off a crowd-pleasing roast on a tighter budget.
Key Takeaways on Purchasing Beef Tenderloin
Figuring out the right quantity of beef tenderloin ensures your guests will be satisfied and you won’t waste this pricey ingredient. Keep these tips in mind:
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Estimate 1/2 pound per person, adjusting up or down as needed.
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Buy center-cut roasts for uniformity.
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Let the butcher trim the roast for you.
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Factor in approximately 15% cooking loss.
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Cook low and slow, monitoring the temperature.
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Slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.
Equipped with this knowledge, you can confidently purchase the perfect amount of beef tenderloin for your next special occasion dinner party. Your guests will be so impressed with your perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth tenderloin roast!
How much beef tenderloin you need per person.
As a general rule, estimate 8 ounces (or 1/2 pound) of meat per person. This advice comes from the raw weight, which takes into account the fact that the meat will shrink by about 2 ounces while it’s being trimmed and cooked. Since beef tenderloin is a lean, boneless cut of beef that tends to be quite pricey, you can easily cut that down to 6 ounces of beef per person, especially if you have some hearty sides on the menu for dinner.
For feeding four to six guests, youll want a roast between 1 1/2 to 2 pounds. Each of your guests will get three to four slices (1/2-inch thick), plus a small amount of seconds or leftovers.
The semantics: head, tail or center-cut.
There are three different cuts of whole beef tenderloin: the head (which comes from the back end of the steer), the center, and the tail. If you buy a whole beef tenderloin from a butcher or big-box store, you’ll only see these three cuts. On bigger tenderloins, the tail end is left on while the head end is cut into steaks or pounded for carpaccio.
If you’re only cooking for four to six people, a center-cut tenderloin is the best shape for roasting whole. For bigger dinner parties, a tail-end tenderloin is best, but you’ll need to tie the roast to make sure it cooks evenly.
Cut your own filet mignon! Step by step Chef David will show you how!
FAQ
How big is a beef tenderloin for 8 adults?
How many does a 5 pound beef tenderloin serve?
How much beef tenderloin should I buy for 7 people?
How much beef fillet for 8 adults?
How much meat do you need for a beef tenderloin?
You always want to ensure you have enough to feed everyone at the table, and that’s especially true for a main attraction like a beef tenderloin. It’s actually fairly easy to figure out how much you need to buy: Simply purchase 8 ounces (1/2 pound) of meat per person. So if you’re feeding 6 people, you’ll need three pounds of meat.
How much beef tenderloin do you need for 8 guests?
When calculating the amount of beef tenderloin needed for a specific number of guests, keep in mind that beef tenderloin yields approximately four servings per pound. Therefore, for 8 adults, you’ll want to purchase a beef tenderloin that weighs approximately 4-5 pounds. This will give each guest a generous portion of 6-8 ounces of cooked beef.
How much does a beef tenderloin weigh?
For 8 adults, you’ll want to purchase a beef tenderloin that weighs approximately 4-5 pounds. This will give each guest a generous portion of 6-8 ounces of cooked beef. It’s important to keep in mind that the weight of the beef tenderloin will vary depending on how much trimming and tying has been done.
How much Tenderloin to serve per person?
The size of the tenderloin is a crucial factor in determining how much to serve per person. A whole tenderloin typically weighs between 4 and 6 pounds, depending on the size of the cow. If you’re cooking for a smaller group, you can opt for a smaller piece, or you can freeze any leftovers for later.