Reverse Searing Is a Foolproof Way to Cook Perfect Beef Tenderloin

The simple, two-step technique guarantees a perfectly cooked interior and richly browned crust.
Reverse Searing Is a Foolproof Way to Cook Perfect Beef Tenderloin
Trussing the meat before reverse searing it guarantees an even cook. Lynda Balslev for Tastefood
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When you splurge on a luxurious beef tenderloin for the holidays, consider reverse searing as the cooking method. Reverse searing is a foolproof way to respect the integrity of a rich and tender cut of lean meat. While the term may sound intimidating, it’s a straightforward technique that ensures a luscious, evenly pink interior and a browned outer crust.

Reverse searing requires a long, slow cook for the meat to reach temperature, followed by a hot sear to finish and brown the exterior. The technique is simple; all you need is a meat thermometer to rely on to gauge doneness. For extra ease, you can have your butcher truss the meat for an even cook. To truss the meat yourself, trim the tenderloin of any fat and silver skin. Fold the narrow end under the filet for even presentation and truss with kitchen string in 1-inch intervals.

Lynda Balslev
Lynda Balslev
Author
Lynda Balslev is a cookbook author, food and travel writer, and recipe developer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she lives with her Danish husband, two children, a cat, and a dog. Balslev studied cooking at Le Cordon Bleu Ecole de Cuisine in Paris and worked as a personal chef, culinary instructor, and food writer in Switzerland and Denmark. Copyright 2025 Lynda Balslev. Distributed by Andrews McMeel Syndication.