Name: Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: PT-489840H27M11S
Cuisine: Western
Ingredients: 1.25 kg centre cut beef tenderloin (eye fillet), tied; 1 1/2 tsp cooking / kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 75 g unsalted butter, softened; 1 tsp garlic, finely grated or very finely minced; 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped; 1/4 tsp cooking/kosher salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 150 g white mushrooms, sliced 3mm thick; 1/2 tsp garlic, finely minced; 1 thyme sprig; 3/4 cup marsala, Italian fortified wine; 1/2 cup chicken stock, low sodium; 3/4 cup thickened cream (heavy cream); 1/4 tsp black pepper

There’s something wonderfully indulgent about a perfectly roasted beef tenderloin paired with a indulgent sauce. The Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe transforms a simple dinner into an occasion, with tender, juicy meat and a rich, velvety mushroom sauce that feels like a hug on a plate.

The image shows a thick piece of roast beef sliced into three layers, each slice revealing a pink, juicy inside with a dark, seasoned crust on the outside. The slices are stacked on a rustic wooden board, with creamy light brown mushroom sauce poured generously over the top two slices. The sauce has visible slices of mushrooms and is garnished with fresh green herbs. Behind the sliced meat is the larger, uncut roast with a tied string around it. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s not just about great ingredients; it’s about the simplicity and thoughtful technique that bring out the best in the beef. Every time I make this, the combination of the buttery, herb-infused tenderloin and creamy mushroom sauce wins heartfelt compliments.

Perfectly tender beef: The overnight salting and gentle roasting method ensures juicy, evenly cooked tenderloin every time.
Rich mushroom sauce: Made with Marsala wine and fresh thyme, it’s a luxurious companion that elevates the flavors beautifully.
Simple but elegant: It’s impressive enough for guests but straightforward enough for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Flexible and forgiving: You can tweak herbs, wine, or cooking times to suit your mood or pantry without losing the magic.

A thick roast with dark brown, slightly crispy skin sprinkled with coarse pepper and small green thyme leaves is tied with light brown string and placed on a wooden board. Three large slices are cut and laid in front of the roast, showing a deep pink, juicy inside with a smooth texture and garnished with thyme sprigs. On the left side, a white bowl filled with creamy light brown mushroom sauce with visible mushroom pieces sits on the board. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a part in crafting the perfect balance of tenderness, flavor, and creaminess. I always recommend fresh thyme and quality mushrooms for that earthy punch, and Marsala wine adds just the right depth without overpowering the dish.

Flat lay of a tied whole center cut beef tenderloin with a clean natural red color and firm texture, a few fresh thyme sprigs with bright green leaves, a small white ceramic bowl of softened pale yellow unsalted butter mixed with finely grated garlic and chopped thyme, a pile of thinly sliced white mushrooms with smooth caps, a small white ceramic bowl containing light golden Italian marsala wine, another small white ceramic bowl filled with pale beige low sodium chicken stock, a small white ceramic bowl with thick white heavy cream, a few whole uncracked light brown eggs, and a small white ceramic bowl with coarse kosher salt and another with freshly ground black pepper, all ingredients arranged symmetrically with balanced spacing, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Beef tenderloin: The center-cut, tied if possible, offers an even thickness so it cooks uniformly. Quality matters here – opt for grass-fed or your favorite butcher’s recommendation.
Cooking/Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and for the overnight salting step that enhances juiciness and flavor.
Black pepper: Freshly cracked for just the right amount of heat and aroma.
Vegetable oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point to sear the beef perfectly without burning.
Unsalted butter: For the garlic-thyme butter slather – gives buttery richness with precise seasoning control.
Garlic: Fresh gives sharpness that mellows beautifully when cooked.
Fresh thyme leaves: Bright, herbaceous notes that tie the flavors together especially well.
White mushrooms: Thinly sliced, they soften and soak up flavors in the sauce.
Marsala wine: A sweet, fortified Italian wine that adds complexity to the sauce without sweetness (choose dry!).
Chicken stock: Low sodium to control saltiness and add mouthfeel and subtle depth.
Thickened (heavy) cream: The creamy component that makes the sauce luscious and velvety.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

While I love this recipe as is, one of the best things about it is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want a different herb profile, or need to swap wine for something non-alcoholic, it adapts beautifully to your taste and pantry.

Herb swap: I’ve played around substituting rosemary or sage for thyme in the butter slather – each gives a lovely twist that’s just as delicious.
Wine alternatives: If Marsala isn’t your thing or you want something milder, dry sherry or Madeira work well. For a non-alcoholic option, simply use extra chicken stock.
Dietary tweaks: To lighten it up, reduce butter slightly and use half-and-half cream without sacrificing too much creaminess.
Cooking level: I’ve even adjusted the roast time for smaller pieces of tenderloin with great results – just keep an eye on internal temperature with a meat thermometer.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Salt Your Beef

First things first, pat your beef dry with paper towels. This step ensures a better sear later. Don’t skip the sprinkling of kosher salt and black pepper all over — I like to then refrigerate it uncovered on a rack for 12 to 24 hours. This overnight salting hydrates the meat and gives it a deeper flavor. If time’s tight, just do this right before cooking and you’ll still have a fantastic outcome.

Step 2: Make the Garlic-Thyme Butter Slather

Mix softened butter with freshly grated garlic, chopped fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. This fragrant butter will baste the tenderloin and keep it moist during roasting. It’s one of my favorite little hacks that takes this recipe to the next level.

Step 3: Sear Your Beef for Crusty Perfection

Heat your oil in a heavy, ovenproof skillet (cast iron is perfect) over high heat until it just starts to smoke. Quickly sear your beef on all sides, aiming for a deep, golden-brown crust. This step locks in juices and adds so much flavor. After searing, rest it on the rack for 15 minutes so the butter won’t melt instantly when you apply it.

Step 4: Apply Butter and Roast Low and Slow

Preheat your oven to a gentle 120°C (250°F). Slather three-quarters of the garlic-thyme butter over the beef’s top and sides (leave the underside bare). Roast the beef for 15 minutes, then apply the remaining butter and keep roasting until the internal temperature hits about 53°C (127°F) for a perfect medium-rare. This usually takes 40–50 minutes total.

Step 5: Rest and Slice

Rest the beef on a cutting board for 10 minutes — this lets the juices redistribute for a juicy, tender bite. The temperature will climb a few degrees, landing right in that sweet medium-rare zone.

Step 6: Make the Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Pour the skillet juices into a bowl and skim off all but about a quarter cup of the fat, returning it to the pan. Over high heat, sauté sliced mushrooms until they start to sweat, then add garlic and thyme sprig. After a couple of minutes, add the chicken stock and reduce by half before stirring in Marsala wine and cream. Let the sauce simmer and thicken for about 5 minutes, then season to taste. This sauce is rich, smooth, and completely irresistible alongside the tender beef.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned that timing and temperature are everything with this recipe. Keeping an eye on your meat with a quality thermometer makes all the difference for achieving that perfect medium-rare.

Thermometer use: Invest in a quick-read thermometer like the Thermapen – it saves stress and makes perfect roast timing simple.
Butter slather layering: Applying butter twice during roasting keeps the top wonderfully moist without melting it all off at once.
Searing method: Don’t rush the sear; a high smoke-point oil and dry beef surface guarantee a flavorful crust.
Don’t skip resting: It’s tempting to dive right in, but resting helps retain those precious juices and makes slicing easier.

How to Serve Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I like to finish this beef with a few fresh thyme sprigs or a sprinkle of chopped parsley to brighten the plate. Sometimes a light drizzle of extra mushroom sauce is all it needs for that restaurant-worthy look and flavor boost.

Side Dishes

Mashed potatoes or creamy polenta are my go-to sides – they soak up that luscious mushroom sauce beautifully. Roasted asparagus or green beans add a fresh crunch and color balance, making the meal complete and satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like slicing the beef thicker and serving it on a large wooden board alongside small bowls of the mushroom sauce and vibrant sides. It creates an inviting vibe where guests can serve themselves, making the experience relaxed yet elegant.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover beef keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days when wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap. I often slice and store separately from the sauce to keep textures fresh, then reheat together at serving time.

Freezing

While freezing the beef with sauce technically works, I find the texture suffers a bit on thawing. Personally, I recommend enjoying fresh or refrigerating for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the beef covered in foil in the oven at low heat (around 120°C/250°F) to avoid drying it out. Heat the mushroom sauce separately on the stove until just simmering, then pour over slices before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

While this recipe is designed for the tenderloin due to its tenderness and even shape, you can substitute with a filet mignon or even ribeye roast. Just keep in mind the cooking times and methods might vary as those cuts have more marbling or different thickness. A meat thermometer will always be your best guide.

Is overnight salting necessary?

Overnight salting is highly recommended because it seasons the beef all the way through and improves juiciness and texture. However, if you’re short on time, salting right before cooking still results in a delicious roast.

Can I prepare the mushroom sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the creamy mushroom sauce a day in advance and refrigerate it. Reheat it gently over low heat while stirring before serving to retain its creamy texture.

What’s the best way to check for doneness?

Using an instant-read meat thermometer is the most reliable method. For medium-rare, remove the beef from the oven at 53°C (127°F) and let it rest. The internal temp will rise to about 56-58°C (133-136°F) during resting, giving you perfect doneness every time.

Final Thoughts

This Beef Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe truly feels like a celebration of home cooking at its best — elegant yet approachable. I love how it invites good conversation around the table, with everyone savoring each tender bite and rich sauce. Give it a try, and I’m pretty sure it’ll become a favorite for your special dinners too.