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Pesto Encrusted Beef Tenderloin

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Donna Urso
Beef tenderloin can make any dinner special.  

This beef tenderloin with a pesto crust recipe is flavorful and easy to prepare.

Beef Tenderloin for a Special Occasion


Do you have a special occasion on the horizon?  Are you planning a celebratory dinner, but don't want to spend all day in preparation?  This recipe for pesto-encrusted beef tenderloin may be a perfect solution.  We had this dinner for one of our recent family birthday dinners.  It was delicious and relatively easy to make.

Four Reasons to Love this Pesto-Encrusted Beef Tenderloin Recipe

Beef tenderloin is an excellent choice for a special dinner because it is elegant, tasty, and doesn't require constant supervision while cooking.  

You can prepare the tenderloin ahead. You can brown the beef, get it prepared with the pesto coating, and set it aside until ready to cook.  

The cook time for a beef tenderloin is relatively short as well.  It won't take you hours to have this lovely dinner ready.

Beef tenderloin is forgiving. Don't worry if the beef is ready before you are ready to serve it.  The beef tastes just as delicious served at room temperature.  
Jump to Recipe

Tips for a Delicious Pesto-Encrusted Beef Tenderloin Dinner

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Purchase a two-to three-pound trimmed and tied beef tenderloin. Let the butcher do the work for you.

Pat the tenderloin dry with a paper towel and sprinkle it generously with salt and pepper before browning.  

Don't skimp on the salt and pepper.  You want it to really cover all sides of the beef. 

Pesto Encrusted Beef Tenderloin
Use a cast-iron frying pan to brown your beef.  When the pan is smoking hot, add the beef to the pan.

Brown a beef tenderloin in a cast-iron skillet.

Don't forget to use a good meat thermometer.  It means the difference between a yummy dinner and a disaster!

Pair the beef tenderloin with asiago potatoes and fresh green beans.  These asiago potatoes are packed with flavor and oh, so yummy.  They are made with pesto, as well, so the flavor profile complements the beef.  Fresh green beans are crisp, sweet, and look pretty on the plate.

Pesto Encrusted Beef Tenderloin

dinner party recipes, holiday dinner recipes, beef tenderloin recipes
Dinner
American
Yield: 8 servings
Author: Donna Urso
Pesto Encrusted Beef Tenderloin

Pesto Encrusted Beef Tenderloin

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 50 Min
A recipe for pesto-encrusted beef tenderloin that is perfect for a special occasion dinner.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Purchase a two-three pound trimmed and tied beef tenderloin. Pat the roast dry with a paper towel and sprinkle it generously with salt and pepper. Don't skimp on the salt and pepper. You want it to really cover all sides of the beef.
  2. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a heavy skillet on medium-high heat.
  3. When the pan is smoking hot, add the beef to the pan. Leave it for a minute or two and then turn. Continue until all sides of your beef are browned.
  4. Remove the tenderloin to a platter to cool.
  5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  6. Mix together 1/3 cup basil pesto with 1 cup of panko bread crumbs. Mix it well so that the basil coats the panko crumbs really well.
  7. Spoon the crumb mixture onto the beef, using your hands to press the crumbs to make a crust.
  8. Cook the beef for 20-30 minutes, until a thermometer registers your desired internal temperature. I like to remove my beef at 125 degrees F.
  9. Cover the beef with aluminum foil to rest for 10 minutes. Slice and serve with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

Us the cooking time as a guide. A good meat thermometer will tell you when to take your tenderloin out of the oven.

Recommended Products:

Digital Meat Thermometer
12" Cast-Iron Pan

Nutrition Facts

Calories

672.87

Fat (grams)

49.51

Sat. Fat (grams)

17.79

Carbs (grams)

10.52

Fiber (grams)

0.72

Net carbs

9.80

Sugar (grams)

0.92

Protein (grams)

43.60

Sodium (milligrams)

284.83

Cholesterol (grams)

147.06

Nutrional information is approximate.

Similar Recipes

Indulgent Twice Baked Potatoes

My Classic Basil Pesto

https://www.justonedonna.com/2017/03/pesto-encrusted-beef-tenderloin.html
©Just One Donna


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Enjoy!


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