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    TaraTeaspoon » Recipes » Beef

    Beef Tenderloin with Fresh Cranberry Relish

    Published: Nov 25, 2020 · Updated: Dec 22, 2024 by Tara Teaspoon · This page contains affiliate and sponsored links. See my full disclosure

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    beef tenderloin with cranberry sauce pin

    The best beef tenderloin roast with a fresh cranberry relish recipe. Use apples, orange, shallots & cranberries to make a robust and easy sauce for your beef roast.

    cranberry beef tenderloin holiday roast on platter
    Jump to:
    • Fresh cranberry relish recipe for beef
    • The best beef tenderloin roast recipe
    • How to make homemade cranberry relish
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Fresh cranberry relish recipe for beef

    This homemade cranberry relish is loaded with flavor. Sweet, tart, savory and infused with orange, it is really perfect to serve with a roast.

    Of course, this fresh cranberry relish would be delicious with roasted turkey. You can serve it in place of cranberry jelly or a cranberry sauce.

    The fresh relish is not saucy, but crunchy and pretty. It's sophisticated enough to serve alongside a beef tenderloin roast. A fancy sauce for a fancy cut of meat!

    Tenderloin is one of the best cuts of beef

    A center cut tenderloin is a little pricey because it is a prized cut of beef. It's tender and lean and shouldn't be overcooked.

    I like to sear it with a tasty salt crust and then finish it in the oven. The outside gets caramelized and flavorful and the inside stays juicy and pink.

    beef roast on platter with herbs and cranberry relish

    The best beef tenderloin roast recipe

    This is truly the best beef tenderloin recipe to make for a special dinner. Christmas or a lovely holiday meal is worthy of this roast.

    I use about 2 ½ lbs of tenderloin and it will serve 6 to 8 people.

    With a flavorful cranberry relish, the mild taste of beef tenderloin lets the fresh apples, cranberries, and orange shine. What a delicious combination.

    I like to serve tenderloin roast with a sauce, but sometimes it is overpowering. A thick gravy or mustard sauce is typical, yet this fresh relish makes this recipe the best.

    Sear on the stove then roast in the oven

    To make this the best roast, I sear the beef in an oven-proof skillet on the stove to get a nice caramelized crust, then finish cooking it in the oven.

    This not only gives the roast a gorgeous look, but also a tasty flavor to pair with the fresh cranberry relish recipe.

    cranberry relish for beef tenderloin in a bowl

    How to make homemade cranberry relish

    Cranberries are very tart, and not very juicy unless cooked. To make a homemade cranberry relish I add sweet apples, savory shallots, orange juice and sugar. All the the ingredients come together to make a balanced sauce for beef.

    Here are the easy steps to make a fresh relish:

    • Pulse shallots and fresh or frozen cranberries in a food processor until finely chopped.
    • Zest and orange and juice it, reserving both juice and zest.
    • Chop a sweet apple, like Gala, into small dice and stir into the shallots and cranberries.
    • Add sugar, orange juice and zest, salt, and chopped parsley.

    You'll love these recipes for side dishes that go with this beef tenderloin:

    • Cheese and Herb Potato Gratin from my new cookbook
    • Roast Parsnips with Sage Butter
    • Fluffy Mashed Potatoes that go with anything

    📖 Recipe

    beef tenderloin roast with cranberry relish on platter

    Beef Tenderloin with Cranberry and Shallot Relish

    Tara Teaspoon
    Apples, orange and cranberry make a flavorful fresh cranberry sauce for beef.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Work Time 45 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Dinner
    Servings 6 to 8

    Ingredients
      

    For the Beef:

    • 2¼ pounds beef tenderloin center cut roast
    • 2 tablespoons Chinese Five Spice Powder
    • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 5 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
    • 2 tablespoons kosher salt

    For the Relish:

    • 1 shallot (peeled and chopped (⅓ cup))
    • 1½ cups whole fresh or frozen cranberries
    • 1½ cups chopped sweet apple, like Gala
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 2 tablespoons orange zest
    • ⅓ cup orange juice
    • ⅓ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

    Instructions
     

    • For the beef: Remove tenderloin from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Heat oven to 450°F.
    • Make a paste with the Chinese 5 Spice powder, garlic, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil and set aside.
    • Rub salt all over tenderloin. Heat a large, oven-proof sauté pan on medium-high heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook the tenderloin, turning until each side is a rich brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
    • Using tongs and a brush or gloved hand, rub/brush the reserved spice and garlic paste all over the seared tenderloin.
    • Transfer the entire pan to the oven and roast for 15 minutes for medium-rare, internal temperature should be 120°F to 125°F on a meat thermometer. When tenderloin is done remove it to a cutting board and tent with foil. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
    • For the cranberry relish: In a food processor chop the shallots and cranberries for 5 to 6 pulses. Remove to a bowl and stir in remaining ingredients. Serve with the sliced tenderloin.

    Notes

    Take the tenderloin out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will ensure it cooks evenly and in the time suggested.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 627kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 32gFat: 49gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 2510mgPotassium: 673mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 340IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 5mg
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    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

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    Comments

      5 from 10 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    1. veenaazmanov says

      December 03, 2020 at 9:50 am

      A flavorful dish. Something unique and yet so delicious. I cant wait to check this recipe.

      Reply
    2. Kathryn Donangelo says

      December 03, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      This cranberry relish was perfect with our thanksgiving meal! I love how fresh it was and zesty. Will be saving this recipe for other holidays, thanks!

      Reply
    3. Tracy says

      December 06, 2020 at 1:30 am

      This cranberry relish is to die for. I want to put it on EVERYTHING. Thank you for another incredible meal!

      Reply
    4. Jenny says

      December 06, 2020 at 12:02 pm

      Looks like the perfect Christmas dinner. My husband will go crazy over the cranberry relish, it is his favorite! I will be making your delicious tenderloin roast and cranberry relish for Christmas. It will be such a hit, I know it. Thanks so much!

      Reply
    5. Erin says

      December 06, 2020 at 3:36 pm

      This sounds so wonderfully fruity! I need to give it a try, maybe for Christmas. I agree that the beef and fruit flavors must be a wonderful combination.

      Reply
    6. Laura Arteaga says

      December 06, 2020 at 3:45 pm

      Your Cranberry Relish looks absolutely delicious! We love serving cranberry sauce with our Roast Dinner. This year, I kept this recipe to try your Relish!

      Reply
    7. Beth says

      December 06, 2020 at 8:56 pm

      The red colors in the cranberry relish are so perfect with the subtle redness of the beef roast, and the tart flavors are a great balance for that strong protein. Beautiful dish.

      Reply
    8. Melanie says

      December 06, 2020 at 10:06 pm

      This looks absolutely delicious! Definitely pinning it to my Christmas board for my cooking ideas! This will go perfect with my turkey!

      Reply
    9. Gunjan says

      December 06, 2020 at 10:35 pm

      Loved the cranberry relish. Had a great taste and a perfume texture.

      Reply
    10. Sam says

      December 07, 2020 at 1:01 am

      Wow this beef tenderloin looks so tender and juicy, and that relish sounds like such a perfect pairing during the holiday season. Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    11. Megan Palmer says

      December 31, 2020 at 4:36 pm

      This looks delicious. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    12. Mia says

      January 01, 2021 at 8:25 pm

      This is absolutely the BEST! Rather than putting it on the tenderloin, I'm afraid I must admit that I put it in a bowl and ate it with a spoon!

      Reply
    13. Diane says

      December 06, 2024 at 4:05 pm

      HI - When do you add or use the paste.. it states set aside but never referred to again.

      Reply
      • Tara T. says

        December 09, 2024 at 7:53 pm

        Diane! Oh my goodness thank you for catching that! It will go on after you sear the roast, just before you put it in the oven. Use a spatula or brush to put in on the outside of the hot roast.
        I will amend the recipe! I appreciate you writing in!
        Tara

        Reply

    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

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