Beef Tenderloin Tips

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Beef Tenderloin Tips are so juicy and tender they melt in your mouth! You'll love this delicious steak tips recipe that's great for a special occasion, or on weeknights when you're craving an easy dinner. It's the perfect meat-lovers meal!

Beef tenderloin tips on a fork.

The Best Steak Tips Ever!

  • Great Comfort Food - you'll get rave reviews once your family tastes these juicy steak bites.
  • Short Cooking Time - this recipe goes from skillet to table in less than 10 minutes!
  • Great Flavor - the bourbon marinade recipe creates a unique twist, or substitute beef broth for a classic flavor.

These brown butter steak tips are so fork-tender you don't need a knife to cut them in half! Whenever you want a quick and delicious dinner, beef tenderloin tips will never disappoint.

Are you a meat lover too? If so, be sure to try my Meat Lovers Quiche, or this irresistible Cast Iron Beef Tenderloin that's typically served on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Beef tenderloin steak tips being served on a plate.

Tenderloin beef tips are made from a tenderloin roast cut into bite-sized pieces. You can easily do this yourself, or ask a butcher to do it for you. I've also bought filet mignon from a butcher to make this recipe for only two people. 

Ingredient Notes

You can usually find these ingredients in your local grocery store. You may need to request beef tenderloin tips from your butcher, or visit a market that carries a wide variety of beef.

  • Beef Tenderloin - purchase a whole tenderloin roast, tenderloin tails, or individual steaks. You can substitute top sirloin tips, or use ribeye steak, but tenderloin will yield the best results since it's similar to filet mignon in tenderness.
  • Bourbon or Beef Broth - bourbon gives this recipe the best flavor, but if you prefer to use beef stock, it tastes just as delicious.
  • Olive Oil - use extra virgin olive oil, or avocado oil since it has a high smoke point.
  • Worcestershire Sauce - a dash or two deepens the flavor, but you can also use soy sauce if preferred.
  • Fresh Garlic Cloves - mince the garlic into small pieces.
  • Onion Powder - adds a hint of onion to the marinade.
  • Black Pepper - sprinkle in some pepper for a nice little kick.
  • Salted Butter - makes the brown butter that gives this dish its richness.
  • Fresh Parsley - optional garnish that also adds flavor.
Ingredients needed to make beef tenderloin tips.

Step by Step Instructions

1 - Make Steak Tips Marinade - mix bourbon (or beef broth), olive oil, worcestershire sauce, fresh garlic, onion powder, and pepper into a gallon-size ziplock bag. Add steak tips, close the bag and shake gently. Marinate for 30 minutes, then remove steak and discard marinade.

2 - Add Beef to Hot Skillet - heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the steak tips and cook for 6-8 minutes until your desired doneness. (I recommend medium to medium rare which registers an internal temperature of 130º to 135ºF on a meat thermometer.) Transfer the beef tips to a plate, cover with foil and set aside. 

3 - Add Butter to Skillet - reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to skillet.

Step by step directions on how to make beef tenderloin tips.

4 - Make Brown Butter - cook butter until it starts to turn golden brown, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes on medium heat.

5 - Add Beef Back to Skillet - toss the beef in the brown butter and sauté for 1 minute, spooning the butter over the meat.

6 - Add Parsley - sprinkle beef tips with fresh parsley and serve hot from the skillet topped with brown butter.

Shopping Tip

Tenderloin is an expensive cut of meat, but if you buy a 5 lb. whole tenderloin, you can make several different dinners. One whole tenderloin can yield 4 steaks, a small roast and enough tips from the tail of the roast to make steak bites.

What to Serve with Beef Tenderloin Tips

Steak tip on a fork.

Customize It!

Steak tips on a white plate.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use roast or stew meat?

It's not recommended to use roast or stew meat because it has a tougher and chewier texture when it is only cooked for a short period of time. Stew meat needs to cook low and slow to become tender.

How do I tell the doneness of the meat?

You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. Rare is 125°F, medium-rare is 135°F, medium is 145°F, and medium-well is 155°F. 

Do I have to marinate the beef?

The meat is already tender so it doesn't have to be marinated. The marinade basically adds flavor. If you choose not to marinate, simply season the meat with salt, pepper or steak seasoning and cook as directed with the butter.

Pro Tips

  • Any heavy skillet will work, but a cast iron skillet will create the best sear.
  • Make sure to marinate the meat in the refrigerator and discard the marinade once it is used.
  • The salted butter should give these steak bites plenty of flavor, but if you need more, add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Put the tenderloin in the freezer for about 15 minutes before cutting it into tips. It's much easier to cut when it's cold!
Plate of beef tenderloin tips.

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

To reheat, place in a skillet over low heat and cook until thoroughly heated or microwave until desired heat is reached.

If you wish to freeze the meat, do so after it has cooled completely. Place it in an airtight container for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Recipe Card

Beef tenderloin tips pierced by a fork.

Beef Tenderloin Tips

Beef Tenderloin Tips are so juicy and tender they melt in your mouth! Make them for special occasions, or on weeknights for an easy dinner!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Marinate: 30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings4
Calories: 320kcal

*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds beef tenderloin (cut into 1-inch cubes)
  • cup bourbon (or use beef broth instead)
  • cup olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ cup salted butter
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

  • Make Steak Tips Marinade - mix bourbon (or beef broth), olive oil, worcestershire sauce, fresh garlic, onion powder, and pepper into a gallon-size ziplock bag. Add steak tips, close the bag and shake gently. Marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator, then remove steak from bag and discard marinade.
  • Add Beef to Hot Skillet - heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the marinated steak tips and cook for 6-8 minutes until your desired doneness. (I recommend medium to medium rare which registers an internal temperature of 130º to 135ºF on a meat thermometer.) Transfer the beef tips to a plate, cover with foil and set aside. 
  • Add Butter to Skillet - reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to skillet.
  • Make Brown Butter - cook butter on medium heat until it starts to turn golden brown, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes.
  • Add Beef Back to Skillet - toss the beef in the brown butter and sauté for 1 minute, spooning the butter over the meat.
  • Add Parsley - sprinkle beef tips with fresh parsley and serve hot from the skillet topped with brown butter.
    Step by step directions on how to make beef tenderloin tips.

Notes

    • Tenderloin is an expensive cut of meat, but if you buy a 5 lb. whole tenderloin, you can make several different dinners. One whole tenderloin can yield 4 steaks, a small roast and enough tips to make steak bites.
    • Any heavy skillet will work, but a cast iron skillet will create the best sear.
    • Make sure to marinate the meat in the refrigerator and discard the marinade once it is used.
    • The salted butter should give these steak bites plenty of flavor, but if you need more, add salt and pepper to taste.
    • Put the tenderloin in the freezer for about 15 minutes before cutting it into tips. It's much easier to cut when it's cold!

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 204mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing!
    Could I brown the tenderloin tips and then cook them in my crock pot?

    1. Thanks for the question, Kim! You won't need to put these tips in a crock pot if you use beef tenderloin. They are so tender, they cook in about 6 minutes in a skillet. If you put them in a crockpot, it will make them mushy. You could try using another type of beef for the crockpot that takes longer to cook (like sirloin), but these steak bites are best made on the stovetop.

5 from 1 vote

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