Crockpot Beef Tenderloin

Beef tenderloin is not cheap, so the last thing you want to do is ruin this special cut of meat with a sub-par recipe. Don’t fret; this crockpot beef tenderloin recipe takes the stress out of cooking a tenderloin. A low-and-slow simmer in the slow cooker yields juicy, tender slices of meat that are absolutely worth the money you spent.

It’s one of our favorite slow-cooker recipes when it comes to serving a crowd for a special occasion. And if you’re only cooking for a couple people, don’t sweat; those leftovers will be great in beef tenderloin sandwiches for lunches all week long!

Ingredients for Crockpot Beef Tenderloin

• Beef tenderloin: Look to grab a tenderloin that is around 6 pounds, which will fit perfectly in your slow cooker.
• Diced tomatoes with mild green chiles: These amped-up tomatoes add acidity and spice to your beef tenderloin sauce, giving the meat a unique flavor compared to more typical buttery or herby recipes.
• Dry red wine: Wine adds richness to meat dishes like this one.
• Condensed tomato soup and mushroom soup: Canned soup thickens the sauce and adds fat and creaminess to your tenderloin sauce, helping to keep the meat tender. Make sure to use undiluted cans!
• Tomato sauce: Canned tomato sauce helps to loosen up the sauce, and provides more liquid for the beef tenderloin to cook in.
• Garlic cloves: The garlic works as the aromatic for this dish, enhancing all of those rich, creamy and acidic flavors.
• Worcestershire sauce: This fermented condiment adds an umami finish to your beef tenderloin.
• Ground mustard: Powdered mustard enhances the flavors of the tomatoes and the Worcestershire sauce.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

Stir together the tomatoes, wine, soups, tomato sauce, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and pepper in the bottom of 6- or 7-quart slow cooker. Cut the beef tenderloin in half and add to slow cooker, making sure to cover it with the sauce mixture.

Step 2: Slow cook on low

Cover and cook on low for six to eight hours, or until the meat is tender. If desired, garnish the beef with fresh parsley.

Recipe Variations

• Swap the red wine with beef broth: Avoiding alcohol or just don’t feel like opening a bottle of red? You can swap it out with beef broth instead.
• Use Dijon mustard: For even more of a flavor punch, add a teaspoon or two of Dijon mustard instead of ground mustard!
• Serve it with bearnaise: For a classic beef tenderloin crockpot experience, whisk together this quick bearnaise sauce to serve with slices of the meat. Bearnaise sauce features wine and tarragon which compliment all of those rich, meaty flavors nicely.

How to Store Crockpot Beef Tenderloin

To store your slow-cooker beef tenderloin, let the meat cool completely to room temperature before wrapping up the tenderloin in storage wrap or foil (to keep the meat from drying out). Place the cooked tenderloin in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to four days.

How do you reheat crockpot beef tenderloin?

For the best results, reheat the beef tenderloin in the oven. Cover the beef tenderloin with aluminum foil, place it in a baking dish, then bake it at 350°F for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 125° to 145°, depending on how cooked you want it. Slices of beef tenderloin can be reheated in the microwave or in a saucepan with some of the sauce.

Crockpot Beef Tenderloin Tips

What is the ideal temperature for beef tenderloin?

It all depends on how cooked you want your finished crockpot beef tenderloin to be. If you want a rare slice, cook the beef until it hits 125° to 135°. For a medium-rare, aim for 140°. Use a meat thermometer to determine the internal temperature of your meat before removing it from the slow cooker.

Why is my beef tenderloin tough?

A tough beef tenderloin could mean that you cooked the meat on too high of a heat, and for too long. You’ll want to cook a beef tenderloin on the low setting of your slow cooker; don’t let the meat go above that 140° internal temperature. Also, if you don’t have enough liquid in the slow cooker, the meat can get tough. Be sure that the meat is submerged in the sauce so it can cook properly.

Can I cook the crockpot beef tenderloin at a high temperature?

While it might be tempting to speed up the process by cooking this beef tenderloin crockpot recipe on high, we don’t recommend it for this recipe. Low and slow is best, so be sure to calculate the amount of time you’ll need to give this cut of meat the cooking time it deserves.