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Sliced smoked beef tenderloin with pink medium-rare center and seasoned crust on white plate with gold rim

Smoke Tenderloin Beef with Horseradish Sauce

40aprons.com/smoked-beef-tenderloin/
If you want to impress guests this beef tenderloin smoke recipe is it! Perfectly seasoned, it’s slow-smoked until juicy and tender, and finished with a quick sear for a gorgeous crust that melts in your mouth. Pair it with tangy horseradish sauce!
Prep 20 minutes
Cook 1 hour
Resting Time 20 minutes
Total 1 hour 40 minutes
Recipe Makes (Approximate): 8

Equipment

  • smoker
  • Probe thermometer
  • kitchen twine
  • cast-iron skillet
  • Sheet pan with wire rack

Ingredients

For the Horseradish Sauce

  • 1 cup full-fat sour cream
  • ½ cup full-fat mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)

For the Beef Tenderloin

  • 1 whole beef tenderloin (about 4 pounds)
  • 2 tablespoons seasoning blend of choice (or 1 tablespoon salt, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 2 teaspoons garlic powder)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

Make the Horseradish Sauce

  • Combine 1 cup sour cream, ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons horseradish, 1 teaspoon vinegar, and ½ teaspoon salt in mixing bowl. Stir until smooth.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Prepare Beef Tenderloin On Smoker

  • Place 1 whole beef tenderloin on sheet pan with wire rack. Rub entire surface with 1 to 2 tablespoons oil.
  • Sprinkle 2 tablespoons seasoning blend liberally over entire tenderloin, covering all sides.
  • Place seasoned tenderloin in refrigerator uncovered for 12 hours or overnight.
  • Remove tenderloin from refrigerator 30 minutes before smoking.
  • Fold thin tail end under main body of roast. Secure with kitchen twine.
  • Continue tying entire tenderloin with kitchen twine at 2-inch intervals along length.
  • Preheat smoker to 225℉ and add wood chips.
  • Insert probe thermometer into center of thickest part of tenderloin.
  • Place tenderloin on smoker grates and close lid. Smoke about 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 115 to 120℉ for medium-rare.
  • Preheat cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.
  • Add 2 tablespoons butter to hot skillet.
  • Place smoked tenderloin in skillet and sear 60 to 90 seconds on each side, rotating to sear all sides evenly, until deep golden-brown crust forms.
  • Remove tenderloin from skillet and transfer to cutting board.
  • Let tenderloin rest 15 minutes before slicing.
  • Remove kitchen twine and slice tenderloin into ½ to ¾-inch thick medallions.
  • Serve immediately with chilled horseradish sauce.

Recipe Notes

Temperature Guide: Pull tenderloin from smoker at 115-120°F for medium-rare (will reach 130-135°F after searing and resting) or 125-130°F for medium (will reach 140-145°F). Always use probe thermometer for accuracy.
Wood Chip Selection: Use mild woods like oak, cherry, or pecan. Avoid mesquite or hickory which can overpower delicate beef flavor.
Overnight Rest: Letting seasoned tenderloin rest uncovered in fridge for 12 hours is optional but highly recommended for better flavor penetration and crust development.
Tying for Even Cooking: Tucking tail end under and tying every 2 inches creates uniform thickness for even cooking throughout.
Make Ahead: Horseradish sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead. Tenderloin can be seasoned up to 24 hours ahead.
Storage: Store leftover sliced tenderloin in airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat gently in 250°F oven with splash of beef broth, about 15 minutes.
Without a Smoker: Roast at 250°F in oven on wire rack with small pan of soaked wood chips below, or add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke to oil rub. Cooking time remains similar.
Make it Whole30: Use ghee or clarified butter instead of regular butter for searing. Replace sour cream with full-fat coconut cream in the horseradish sauce, and use Whole30-compliant mayonnaise. Check that your prepared horseradish has no added sugar.

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Calories: 673calProtein: 1gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 260mgPotassium: 56mgTotal Carbs: 2gFiber: 0.2gSugar: 1gNet Carbs: 2gVitamin A: 302IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 0.4mg
Recipe By: Cheryl Malik
https://40aprons.com/smoked-beef-tenderloin/