Best Ever Beef Wellington Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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This Beef Wellington recipeis a decadent, tender, and juicy beef tenderloin with a layer of mustard, mushroomduxelles,and prosciutto wrapped in a soft, buttery pastry that is cooked until golden brown. A holiday favorite!

Impress your family with this rich, decadent meal for the holidays. If you are looking for an extra special meal, try thisGarlic Butter Herb Prime Rib Recipeor this Garlic Herb Butter Beef Tenderloin.

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What is Beef Wellington?

Beef Wellington originated in France and is the main dish. It’s an elegant and decadent meal that we like to save for special occasions. Beef Wellington is a nice cut of meat, usually a fillet steak, beef tenderloin, or filet mignon. It uses the center-cut portion of the meat that is known to be the most tender and juicy part of the cow. The meat is wrapped in a mustard sauce, then a mushroom duxelles and prosciutto. Then, it’s all wrapped in a puff pastry and baked until golden brown.

This beef wellington recipe will please your family and friends this holiday season. Beef Wellington is known to be a decadent meat with an AMAZING presentation. The combination of a thick, juicy beef tenderloin, special duxelles and prosciutto all wrapped in a pastry shell is pure heaven. Don’t let these ingredients scare you off. This is a simple recipe that comes together beautifully! Serve it up with some delicious mashed potatoes and a salad and then you are all set to impress your guests!

Beef tenderloin is already know to be the most tender cut of beef and wrapping it in more ingredients creates a perfect holiday meal.

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What Cut of Meat is Used in Beef Wellington?

Beef Wellington is made with a whole beef tenderloin fillet in this recipe. You want to use the most tender cut of meat that you can! Beef tenderloin is lean and juicy and will slice up beautifully for this recipe.

Ingredients in Beef Wellington

The cut of meat is the most important! You definitely want to splurge on some tender meat. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

  • Beef Tenderloin: Beef tenderloin is a tender cut of beef (as in its name!) and is the perfect meat for this recipe.
  • Salt and Pepper: These will enhance the flavor of the meat.
  • Olive Oil: This helps sear the tenderloin before wrapping it up.

Mushroom Duxelles

  • Mushrooms: I used Bella mushrooms for this mixture.
  • Onion: The onion adds a delightful taste to the mushrooms.
  • Garlic: You can use fresh garlic cloves or minced garlic from a jar. 1/2 teaspoon equals about one clove of garlic.
  • Prosciutto: You wrap this additional layer of meat around the mushroom duxelles.
  • Yellow Mustard:You can use any kind of yellow mustard that you prefer! It will be a glaze for the beef wellington.
  • Puff Pastry Sheet:This wraps it all together before you bake it.
  • Eggs:The eggs help create a golden brown look on the pastry.
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How to Make Beef Wellington

I can’t wait for you to try Beef Wellington! It is a sweet and savory blend of layers that melt in your mouth and tastes oh-so-good!

  1. Sear the Tenderloin:Generously salt and pepper your tenderloin. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Sear the tenderloin on each side for about 2-3 minutes until it gets a golden brown crust. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  2. Prepare the Mushroom Duxelles:In a food processor, add the mushrooms, garlic, and onion. Then, pulse in the food processor until it becomes a puree. Heat your skillet to medium high and add the mixture. Sauté the mushrooms until you have the moisture has left. Remove from heat and let cool.
  3. Wrap the tenderloin:Roll out some plastic wrap and lay the prosciutto so they are even and overlap. Spread the mushroom mixture on top leaving an inch boarder from the sides. Rub the mustard on the tenderloin and then roll the tenderloin up in the prosciutto and mushroom mixture folding up the sides around the tenderloin as you roll. Wrap the plastic wrap tightly around the beef and refrigerated for 30 minutes.
  4. Add Puf Pastry: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the puff pastry sheet out on a lightly floured surface. Place the tenderloin in the center. Brush the egg mixture around the tenderloin on the sheet and roll the tenderloin tightly in the pastry. Brush the remaining egg mixture on the outside of the pastry and cut slits in the top.
  5. Bake:Bake until the pastry is golden and the beef registers to 120 degrees for medium rare. About 45 minutes. Remove the from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
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Tips for Making Beef Wellington

These tips will ensure that you have the best Beef Wellington recipe. Make this your next family tradition by adding in Beef Wellington recipe to your holiday dinners.

  • Let it Rest: It is best to let the meat rest in between each stage of wrapping. Sitting it in the refrigerator or freezer for a time will help firm up the tenderloin.
  • Tie it Up: Tie your beef tenderloin with kitchen twine. This will help hold its shape while it is being seared.
  • Brush the Meat with Egg: Brush your meat as well as the pastry with egg wash. This will make the top layer of the pastry stick to the meat and stop it from rising and leaving a gap.
  • Trimming: Try not to trim the pasty too close to the meat. Give the meat more pastry when wrapping it.
  • Don’t Wrap too Tightly: When adding the pastry, try not to wrap it tightly but don’t let any air in between. Layer it on smoothly and carefully without pressing too hard.
  • Leftover Pastry: If you have leftover pastry try using it for other recipes. Simply refrigerate it for another use like pie decorating.
  • Variations: Try this with different meats, Dijon mustard and wild mushrooms for a more flavorful way of enjoying Beef Wellington.

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How to Know When Beef Wellington is Done

The trick with Beef Wellington is to have a slice of rare cooked meat in a golden brown pastry. Once your Beef Wellington is in the oven you can reduce the temperature down to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, after 10 to 15 minutes reduce the amount of temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the beef tenderloin, the meat should be 135 degrees Fahrenheit for medium rare.

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How to Store Beef Wellington

Usually, you don’t have any leftovers after this meal. On occasion, it is nice to double the recipe or plan to make it ahead. Here are some ways to store it properly and still have a great recipe when warming up.

  • Can you Make Beef Wellington Ahead of Time? Yes! You can make Beef Wellington ahead of time, up to 24 hours. Prepare your Beef Wellington according to the recipe and stop before adding the puff pastry. Wrap that portion tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it. Finish the recipe according to the Beef Wellington directions.
  • Can you Freeze BeefWellington? Yes, this is best to do before baking it with the pastry over the top. Freeze your beef tenderloin with all the layers for three days. When ready to bake, place the meat in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Finish the recipe by adding the puff pastry layer over the top.
  • How to Reheat Beef Wellington: Reheating Beef Wellington is a little tricky, making sure that it is not soggy or overcooked with the pasty now over the top. It is not as good as the first time you enjoyed it warm and freshly baked but it will come close! Heat the oven to275 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat for about 10 to 12 minutes or until warm. Be careful when using a microwave, Use less power and heat in small increments flipping it back and forth. Remember you are warming it up, not cooking it.
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What to Serve with Beef Wellington

This Beef Wellington recipe comes together quickly and easily just by following the steps.I love to serve it always with mashed potatoes and some kind of green vegetable.

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Best Ever Beef Wellington Recipe

4.89 from 9 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

This Beef Wellington recipeis a decadent tender and juicy beef tenderloin with a layer of mustard, mushroom sauce and prosciutto wrapped in a soft, buttery pastry that is cooked until golden brown.

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 people

Ingredients

Mushroom Duxelles

  • 1 pound mushrooms (I used Bella)
  • 1/4 cup onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 6-8 slices prosciutto
  • 3 Tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if using frozen)
  • 2 eggs beaten

Instructions

Sear the Tenderloin

  • Generously salt and pepper your tenderloin. In a large skillet over medium high heat add the olive oil. Sear the tenderloin on each side for about 2-3 minutes until it gets a golden brown crust. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Prepare the Mushroom Duxelles

  • In a food processor, add the mushrooms, garlic, and onion. Pulse in the food processor until it becomes puree. Heat your skillet to medium-high and add the mixture. Sauté the mushrooms until you have the moisture left. Remove from heat and let cool.

Wrap the Tenderloin

  • Roll out some plastic wrap and lay the prosciutto so they are even and overlap. Spread the mushroom mixture on top leaving an inch boarder from the sides. Rub the mustard on the tenderloin and then roll the tenderloin up in the prosciutto and mushroom mixture folding up the sides around the tenderloin as you roll. Wrap the plastic wrap tightly around the beef and refrigerated for 30 minutes.

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll the puff pastry sheet out on a lightly floured surface. Place the tenderloin in the center. Brush the egg mixture around the tenderloin on the sheet and roll the tenderloin tightly in the pastry. Brush the remaining egg mixture on the outside of the pastry and cut slits in the top.

Bake the Wellington

  • Bake until the pastry is golden and the beef registers to 120 degrees for medium rare. About 45 minutes. Remove the from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Originally Posted on November 17, 2019

Updated on November 7, 2022

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 27gFat: 44gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 255mgPotassium: 618mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 66IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, French

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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Best Ever Beef Wellington Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

How do you make Beef Wellington without a soggy bottom? ›

Immediately before cooking, remove the Wellington from the fridge and give it final egg wash then sprinkle with sea salt. Again, don't let the egg wash pool inside the diamonds. Using the parchment paper, lift the Wellington and carefully transfer to the hot tray. This will help avoid a soggy bottom.

How do I make the bottom of my Beef Wellington crispy? ›

One other approach is to bake "blind" a rectangle of puff pastry for the base before assembling the wellington. Cut a rectangle of pastry slightly larger than the beef for the base, prick it thoroughly with a fork and bake at 200c/400F for 20 minutes until golden.

Why is Beef Wellington so hard to make? ›

Beef wellington is not an easy dish to prepare with perfection. For starters, getting the tenderloin steak right is a challenge in itself. It has to be tender on the inside but decently firm on the outside, so it doesn't get mushed inside. The pâté and the duxelles are like preparing two individual dishes themselves.

What is the secret to a good Beef Wellington? ›

Browning the beef gives it complexity and meaty depth. Tying the tenderloin improves both the appearance of the final dish, and leads to more even cooking. Phyllo provides a moisture barrier, preventing the puff pastry from getting soggy. A double layer of plastic wrap makes it easier to wrap up the tenderloin.

How do you stop the pastry on a Beef Wellington going soggy? ›

To avoid a 'soggy bottom' place the Wellington seal-side down on a pre-heated roasting tray. This means the pastry starts cooking right away. OR, you can put the roasting tray onto the hob for a couple of minutes before putting into the over to cook.

What temperature should Beef Wellington be cooked at? ›

Cook's Tip: Use any excess dough to decorate Wellington. Bake in 425°F oven 35 to 50 minutes or until golden brown and instant-read thermometer inserted into center of roast registers 135°F for medium rare; 150°F for medium.

How do I make sure the bottom of puff pastry is cooked? ›

Blind-bake your base before adding a filling to help to firm the base and avoid liquid being absorbed into it. Prick the base with a fork to help steam escape, cover with foil or parchment, and weigh it down with ceramic baking beans, uncooked rice or white sugar. Then bake at 220°C (425°F) for 15 minutes.

How do you tenderize beef for Wellington? ›

Tenderize the sirloin by pounding with a meat mallet for several minutes (we're trying to simulate a filet here). In a medium-hot pan, sear the steak on all sides, about 30 seconds per side. The steak should still be rare inside at this point. Refrigerate until ready to use again.

Can I prep Beef Wellington the night before? ›

You can prepare the Wellington up to 24 hours in advance at this point, but make sure you remove it from the fridge 30-40 minutes before the final bake. Carefully transfer the Beef Wellington to a lightly greased baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated oven at 425°F/220°C for 20 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown.

What is the best cut of meat for Beef Wellington? ›

A large center cut piece of beef tenderloin is used to make Beef Wellington. Beef tenderloin is the muscle that individual filet mignon steaks are cut from. A whole beef tenderloin however is fatter in the middle and tapered toward the ends. You can think of it as the center cut of tenderloin.

How do you not overcook Beef Wellington? ›

For extra protection from overcooking, do as we recommend in our other tenderloin post, and chill the beef before searing. Kenji's recipe calls for slices of seared whole foie gras, but that's not an ingredient that is easy to come by in most markets. We substituted pre-made pâté made with foie gras.

How to avoid soggy bottom puff pastry? ›

Pastry being soggy in the middle is a result of the pastry being undercooked. Don't place the pastry on too high a shelf in the oven. One way to prevent soggy bottom pastry is to blind bake the pastry – This means partially or completely bake the pastry before adding the filling. Also, avoid over-filling your pastry.

How do you keep the bottom crust from getting soggy? ›

Sprinkle dried breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, or other types of cereal, on the bottom crust before filling and baking in the oven. The layer will absorb moisture and prevent the filling from turning the crust soggy.

What causes soggy bottom pastry? ›

If the fat melts before a strong gluten structure has formed, the pastry will end up soggy. Overly moist fillings can also contribute to a soggy bottom as the liquid will drop to the bottom of the pie and ooze into the pastry. To ensure crisp pastry, the base can be blind baked before adding the filling.

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