Beef Tenderloin

[fantsmith]

Looking to smoke a beef tenderloin for Christmas.  From the research I've done, it appears to be do-able in less than an hour or so.  Any tips?  Any wood suggestions? 

Many thanks,

Fant Smith, first time poster

 

[sandlapper]

I smoke beef tenderloin fairly frequently- right now readying 3 5 pounders to smoke for myself and friends. I use a Cokshack smoker Amerique, and on that using about 1 oz of hickory and 1 oz of pecan it will take about 2.5 hrs at 235 degrees.

I don't marinade my beef but do coat it with a paste of either honey or maple syrup and cracked peppercorns and a vidalia onion BBQ sauce. The last batch I did just before Thanksgiving received good reviews. Today I am going to add a touch of fresh horseradish to the paste and see how that does.

I also use a Fast Eddy PG. That takes longer to cook but it gives a better looking mahogany coat, and great flavor.

Good luck!

 

[fantsmith]

fantastic...thanks.  That's longer than I'd seen.  Are you going to about 130 degrees internal temp, or higher?  I believe the instructions I saw were running hotter - around 300 degrees - which would obviously cook faster.

 

[sandlapper]

I have a probe at the center of the meat and cook to a temp of 125 F. It will increase a bit to about `30 or so if left in the smoker for a half hr after reaching temp. I believe that cooking at a higher temp tends more to dry out the meat and one would lose some of the moist tenderness. I have gone to 260 F and found the drying out more than I would like!

 

[fantsmith]

Great info.  I don't want it dry.  Thanks for the advise.

 

[sandlapper]

Additional word!  Yesterday I smoked beef tenderloins and used a combination of Jack Daniels whiskey casks and hickory. That left a bit of a harsh taste- the sour mash flavor did not come through. I won't use the whiskey casks again!