Chateaubriand beef tenderloin is wrapped in duxelles, prosciutto, and puff pastry for a delicious and flavorful main course.
Ingredients
For the Duxelles:
1lbbaby bella mushrooms
1/2yellow onionpeeled and roughly chopped
3clovesgarlicpeeled and roughly chopped
the leaves from 2 sprigs fresh thyme
2tbspolive oil
salt and pepper
For the Beef:
3lbchateaubriandcenter cut beef tenderloin
salt and pepper
4ozthinly sliced prosciutto
6sprigs fresh thyme
2tbspDijon mustard
flourfor rolling out puff pastry
12ozall-butter puff pastrythawed
1large egglightly beaten (for egg wash)
For the Beef Wellington Sauce:
reserved drippings and pan from searing beef above
2tbspbutter
1/3small onionsliced or chopped
3clovesgarlicpeeled and smashed
2sprigs fresh thyme
2tbspbrandy
26ozbox beef stock(3.25 cups)
2tbspheavy cream
2tbspgrainy Dijon mustard
Instructions
For the Duxelles: Add the mushrooms, onion, garlic, and thyme leaves to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the oil to a large skillet and set over medium high heat. Pour the food processor mixture into the pan and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has cooked out. Season with salt and pepper and set aside to cool.
For the Beef: Place a heavy bottomed skillet over medium high heat. Using kitchen twine, tie the tenderloin in 4 places. This will help it hold its shape while cooking. Season the beef all over with salt and pepper. When the skillet is hot, add the oil and sear the beef all over to brown the meat. Do not sear the beef for more than 5 minutes total, so just a minute on each side. Remove the beef to a plate, take the pan off the heat, and set aside for later (do not clean it).
Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap, about 18 inches or so, and evenly space out the prosciutto so that it covers most of the plastic wrap. You want it spread out enough to fully wrap the beef when we roll it up. Spread the duxelles evenly over the prosciutto, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a few extra thyme leaves.
Trim the twine from the beef, brush the tenderloin with the Dijon mustard, then place the beef on the duxelles. Use the plastic wrap to wrap the entire beef tenderloin in the duxelles and prosciutto, then twist the ends of the plastic wrap tightly so the beef holds its log shape. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
On a floured surface, roll the puff pastry thinly enough so it can wrap around all of the beef, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Remove the beef from the plastic wrap, then set the beef in the center of the puff pastry, and roll it tightly in the puff pastry. Crimp the edges, using egg wash to help you seal the edges and sides. Place the beef seam side down onto a sheet pan. Brush the entire pastry with the egg wash, then cut Xs on top to let the steam escape while cooking. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes* until the beef measures 125F with a thermometer, and the puff pastry is golden brown. Remove from the oven and place the beef on a wire rack to rest for at least 10 minutes while you make the sauce.
For the Beef Wellington Sauce: Add butter to the pan you seared the beef in, and set over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme, and saute for 5 minutes to impart the flavors. Remove the pan from the heat, add the brandy, then if you’re using a gas stove, light the brandy to burn the alcohol off. If you have an electric stove, you can skip that step. After the flame has died down, return the pan to the heat and add the beef stock. Turn the heat to high and reduce the liquid by half. Add the cream and mustard, then strain the sauce to remove the solids.
Slice the beef wellington into thick slices, about 2 inches wide, and serve with the sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
*I've made this so many times that I've seen that there can be some variability in cook time depending on the thickness of the tenderloin. This is why measuring the internal temperature with a thermometer is so important. Go more by temperature than by time. Also remember that once you overcook the meat, you can't go back. I always like to check at the 25 minute mark, especially for thinner tenderloin pieces, but it often takes up to 35.Make-ahead: You can prep the beef to the point just before wrapping in puff pastry, up to 6 hours ahead, but I don’t recommend a full day ahead. You will likely need to add an extra 5 minutes of cook time since the meat will be colder heading into the oven. Alternatively, you can remove the meat from the fridge an hour before wrapping it, then cook it in the oven as directed.Storing leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.Reheating: First, you should try to eat the dish while it’s freshly made, as it’s definitely not as good once the puff pastry has been refrigerated. But if you reheat it, you can re-warm in a 250F oven for about 12 minutes or even in the microwave at 50% power, as long as you’re heating the beef gently and making sure not to remove all the pink from the inside. You want to warm it, not cook it again.Preventing sogginess: It is essential to keep the beef wellington on a wire rack after cooking, otherwise the pastry will get soggy on the bottom.Recommended side dishes:Potato Gratin,Roasted Parsnips,Brussels Sprout Salad, Roasted Fennel.