Instant Pot Beef Tenderloin with Cranberry Butter Sauce: A Perfect Holiday Roast

Introduction

When it comes to holiday dinners, few dishes have the same allure as a perfectly cooked beef tenderloin. Known for its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich flavor, beef tenderloin is often reserved for special occasions and elegant meals. But what if you could make this luxurious dish faster and more easily, without sacrificing any of its deliciousness? Enter the Instant Pot Beef Tenderloin with Cranberry Butter Sauce—a show-stopping dish that’s as flavorful as it is simple to prepare. With the help of your Instant Pot, this recipe delivers the tenderness of a traditional roast but in a fraction of the time, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet meal without all the fuss.

The star of this dish is the beef tenderloin, which is cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot, ensuring a beautifully tender roast with just the right amount of sear and flavor. The accompanying cranberry butter sauce adds a touch of festive sweetness, perfectly complementing the savory richness of the beef. The tangy, slightly sweet cranberries paired with the creamy, rich butter sauce elevate the dish, making it ideal for holiday dinners, dinner parties, or any special celebration.

Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or preparing a cozy meal for two, this Instant Pot beef tenderloin recipe is both accessible and indulgent. Let’s explore why this recipe will quickly become a holiday favorite and how to prepare it to perfection.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: The Instant Pot dramatically reduces the cooking time for a traditionally slow-roasted beef tenderloin, making it possible to prepare this showstopper meal in under an hour.
• Tender and Juicy: The Instant Pot ensures the beef tenderloin cooks evenly, yielding a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s perfectly tender and flavorful.
• Festive Flavors: The cranberry butter sauce adds a vibrant, festive element to the dish, offering the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Impact: While the dish looks and tastes complex, the Instant Pot makes it straightforward to prepare, allowing you to enjoy gourmet results without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile and Customizable: You can easily adjust the sauce’s sweetness or spice level to suit your tastes, and the dish pairs beautifully with a wide range of sides and beverages.

Preparation Time and Servings

• Total Time: 50 minutes (10 minutes prep, 40 minutes cooking)
• Servings: Serves 6-8 people
• Nutrition Facts (per serving):
• Calories: 450
• Protein: 55g
• Carbs: 15g
• Fat: 20g

Ingredients

For the Beef Tenderloin:

• 1 (3-4 lb) beef tenderloin, trimmed and tied (ask your butcher to trim it for you if needed)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

For the Cranberry Butter Sauce:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or more to taste)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for added warmth)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Season the Beef Tenderloin

Start by preparing the beef tenderloin. If your tenderloin is not yet trimmed, remove any excess silver skin or fat from the meat, leaving just the lean beef. Using kitchen twine, tie the roast at 1-2 inch intervals to help it cook evenly. This will also ensure that the tenderloin holds its shape during cooking.

Next, rub the beef tenderloin with olive oil, making sure it’s well-coated on all sides. Season the beef generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme. Gently press the seasoning into the meat so that it adheres well. Rub Dijon mustard all over the tenderloin as well, which will add a bit of tang and help the seasoning stick.

Step 2: Sear the Beef Tenderloin

Turn your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the beef tenderloin to the pot. Sear it for about 3-4 minutes per side, turning it to get a golden-brown crust on all sides. This searing step not only locks in flavor but also helps create a rich, flavorful crust.

Once the beef is seared, remove it from the Instant Pot and set it aside. Turn off the sauté function and prepare for pressure cooking.

Step 3: Pressure Cook the Beef Tenderloin

Add 1/2 cup of beef broth to the Instant Pot, scraping the bottom to release any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This will create the base for your cooking liquid.

Place the beef tenderloin back into the Instant Pot, making sure it’s positioned so that it’s resting on the trivet or steamer basket if you have one. This helps the beef cook evenly and prevents it from sitting directly in the liquid.

Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to “Sealing.” Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” function and cook on high pressure for 20-25 minutes for a medium-rare roast, depending on the size of the beef tenderloin. For medium, increase the cooking time by a few minutes (up to 30 minutes). Once the cooking time is up, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for 10-15 minutes before opening the lid.

When the beef is done cooking, remove it from the Instant Pot and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest while you make the cranberry butter sauce.

Step 4: Make the Cranberry Butter Sauce

For the cranberry butter sauce, add 1 cup of cranberries, 1/2 cup of orange juice, and 1/2 cup of beef broth into the Instant Pot. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, and fresh rosemary. Set the Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function again and simmer the sauce for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens slightly.

Once the cranberries have softened and the sauce has reduced, add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce. Stir until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, feel free to add more brown sugar to taste.

Step 5: Slice and Serve the Beef Tenderloin

Once the beef tenderloin has rested, slice it into 1/2-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices on a platter or individual plates, then drizzle with the warm cranberry butter sauce. Garnish with extra fresh rosemary if desired.

Serve the Instant Pot Beef Tenderloin with a side of roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a light green salad for a complete, festive meal.

Step 6: Enjoy!

Take a moment to appreciate how beautiful and tender your roast beef looks! The Instant Pot makes cooking a luxurious cut of beef like tenderloin surprisingly quick and easy. The cranberry butter sauce adds a fresh, seasonal twist that ties the whole dish together with its balance of sweetness and richness.

How to Serve

Instant Pot Beef Tenderloin with Cranberry Butter Sauce is the perfect main course for a special holiday dinner, anniversary, or any festive celebration. Here are a few side dishes that pair perfectly with the rich flavors of the beef and the tangy cranberry sauce:

• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts complement the savory beef and the sweetness of the cranberry sauce.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes provide a comforting base that soaks up the flavorful butter sauce.
• Gravy or Au Jus: For extra richness, serve with homemade gravy or a rich au jus to drizzle over the beef.
• Crispy Roasted Potatoes: If you’re looking for a more substantial side, crispy roasted potatoes with fresh herbs will pair beautifully with the beef.

For dessert, a light lemon sorbet or chocolate mousse would provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the beef.

Additional Tips

1. Rest the Beef: After removing the beef from the Instant Pot, allow it to rest before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring your roast is juicy and tender.
2. Use Fresh Cranberries: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh cranberries when making the sauce. Frozen cranberries can be used, but fresh ones provide a better flavor.
3. Customize the Sauce: If you want a spicier sauce, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small splash of balsamic vinegar for additional complexity.
4. Cooking Time Adjustments: If your beef tenderloin is larger or smaller than the standard 3-4 lbs, adjust the cooking time in the Instant Pot accordingly. A 2 lb tenderloin will need less time, while a 5 lb roast may need a few extra minutes of pressure cooking.

Conclusion

Instant Pot Beef Tenderloin with Cranberry Butter Sauce is the ultimate holiday dish, offering a quick, easy, and impressive way to serve one of the most tender cuts of beef. The combination of savory, juicy beef and the bright, sweet cranberry sauce makes it a memorable meal for any celebration. Thanks to the Instant Pot, you can achieve gourmet results in a fraction of the time, freeing you up to spend more time with loved ones and less time in the kitchen. This dish is sure to become a favorite in your holiday recipe rotation, bringing both flavor and festivity to your table.

Print