Beef Tenderloin Sliders with Cranberry Orange Relish are an elegant, mouthwatering holiday meal or dinner packed with protein. The tenderloin is roasted to create a juicy slider topped with a sweet cranberry orange glaze and garnished with fresh sprigs of rosemary.
Beef Tenderloin Sliders with Cranberry Orange Relish: A Festive Culinary Masterpiece
As the holiday season swiftly approaches, many of us find ourselves pondering the perfect menu to delight family and friends. The festive period often calls for dishes that are both special and satisfying, capable of feeding a crowd while leaving a lasting impression. With only a few weeks left until the main celebrations, it’s time to finalize those culinary plans!
For many, holiday dinners are grand affairs, bringing together extended family members for multiple feasts. My own family often celebrates across several large gatherings, each requiring a unique and memorable centerpiece. Beef, being a perennial favorite, frequently graces one of these festive tables. If you’re seeking an exciting and flavorful twist on traditional holiday beef, these Beef Tenderloin Sliders with Cranberry Orange Relish offer an ideal solution. These delectable, miniature sandwiches are not just visually stunning but also incredibly versatile, allowing guests to savor a bite or two before indulging in an array of delightful side dishes, crisp salads, artisanal breads, and decadent desserts. You can even present the perfectly sliced beef tenderloin on a platter alongside the slider buns, inviting guests to create their own custom sandwiches, perhaps choosing to enjoy the tender meat simply with the vibrant cranberry orange relish, or assembling a full slider experience.
The Nutritional Advantage of Beef: Powering Your Holiday Season
Beyond its incredible flavor and versatility, beef offers substantial nutritional benefits that make it an excellent choice for your holiday table. A modest 3-ounce serving of beef delivers a remarkable 25 grams of high-quality protein, along with 10 essential nutrients. This makes beef an exceptionally efficient source of nutrition, especially when compared to some other protein options. For instance, to obtain the same amount of iron found in just 3 ounces of beef, you would need to consume approximately 8 ounces of chicken breast. This impressive nutrient density ensures that your holiday meal is not only delicious but also contributes to a healthy and energetic festive season.
Selecting the Perfect Beef Roast for Your Holiday Feast
When it comes to holiday dining, beef offers a spectrum of choices to suit various tastes and budgets. For those aiming for a truly luxurious experience, premium roasts like Ribeye, Rib, and Tenderloin are exceptionally popular during this time of year. Each offers a unique texture and flavor profile, guaranteed to impress. The tenderloin, in particular, is celebrated for its incredibly tender and juicy qualities, making it an exquisite choice for these sliders. Its delicate texture and rich flavor pair wonderfully with the sweet and tangy cranberry orange relish, creating a harmonious culinary experience. If you’re seeking more economical yet equally delicious options, consider Round Tip, Top Sirloin, or Eye Round roasts, which can also be transformed into delightful holiday dishes.
Our Beef Tenderloin Sliders with Cranberry Orange Relish are not just a feast for the palate but also a visual delight. The bright, festive red of the cranberries, juxtaposed with the fresh, verdant sprigs of rosemary, adds an undeniable elegance and cheer to any holiday spread. These small bites promise to be a conversation starter and a memorable highlight of your seasonal celebrations.
Honoring the Hands Behind Our Holiday Meals: Ohio Beef Farmers
As we gather to enjoy sumptuous beef dishes this holiday season, it’s important to pause and appreciate the dedicated beef farmers who work tirelessly all year round. The 17,000 beef farming families in Ohio, 98 percent of which are family-owned, exemplify this commitment. These farmers prioritize the well-being of their animals regardless of the weather or holiday schedules. Imagine the Rittenhouses, a family of beef farmers from New Carlisle, braving an approaching winter storm to move their cows to a sheltered pasture, ensuring their safety and comfort. This short video illustrates their unwavering dedication: Watch their story here.
Their work ensures that families like ours can enjoy high-quality beef on our tables. The Ohio Beef Council has produced a series of videos showcasing how Ohio beef farmers adapt their animal care routines to colder weather, further highlighting their expertise and compassion: Explore the video series and learn more about their efforts at Ohio Beef Council.
It’s a humbling thought that while we are comfortably enjoying these Beef Tenderloin Sliders, wonderful, hard-working farmers are out in the fields, diligently caring for their herds. Their commitment is truly the foundation of our culinary traditions.
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Beef Tenderloin Sliders with Cranberry Orange Relish
By Julia Jolliff
Beef Tenderloin Sliders with Cranberry Orange Relish are an elegant, mouthwatering holiday meal or dinner packed with protein.
Print Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Orange Relish:
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 12 oz cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 teaspoon orange juice
- 2 teaspoons honey
For the Beef Tenderloin:
- 1 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin, trimmed of excess fat and silverskin
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 2 rosemary sprigs, plus extra for garnish
- Slider buns, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Cranberry Orange Relish (the night before or at least several hours in advance):
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup of water and bring to a boil, then stir in the sugar until completely dissolved.
- Add the cranberries, apple cider vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, and honey. Simmer gently until all the cranberries have popped and the mixture has thickened slightly, about 10-15 minutes.
- Place a mesh strainer over a large bowl. Pour the cranberry mixture into the strainer and, using a wooden spoon or the back of a spatula, press the cranberries through the mesh. This separates the thick, pulp-like relish from the thinner juices. Store the relish in one container and the juices in another, then refrigerate overnight or for several hours to allow flavors to meld and the relish to firm up.
- Prepare the Beef Tenderloin:
- Using a sharp carving knife, carefully remove any silver skin and excess fat from the beef tenderloin. (Your butcher can often do this for you upon request.)
- Allow the beef tenderloin to sit at room temperature for at least 15-30 minutes before cooking. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the kosher salt, ground pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano. Mix thoroughly. Rub this spice mixture evenly over the entire surface of the beef tenderloin, creating a thin, flavorful crust.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the beef tenderloin to the hot skillet, along with 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Sear the tenderloin on all sides until beautifully browned, about 1-2 minutes per side. This crucial step develops a rich crust and locks in moisture.
- Once seared, place two sprigs of fresh rosemary directly on top of the tenderloin. Transfer the cast iron skillet (or the tenderloin to an oven-safe dish if your skillet isn’t oven-safe) to the preheated oven.
- Roast until the internal temperature of the beef reaches 140°F (60°C) for rare to medium-rare, typically around 17-25 minutes, depending on the thickness of your tenderloin and your oven. Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat to ensure accuracy.
- Remove the tenderloin from the oven once the desired internal temperature is reached. Transfer it to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil, and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes. This resting period is vital, as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.
- Using a carving knife and fork, slice the tenderloin across the grain into 1/2-inch-thick pieces with a gentle sawing motion.
- Assemble the Sliders:
- Arrange the sliced beef tenderloin on a platter alongside the slider buns. Guests can assemble their own, or you can pre-assemble them for a more curated presentation.
- To assemble, place a slice of beef tenderloin on the bottom half of a slider bun. Top with a small spoonful of the Cranberry Orange Relish. For an extra touch of moisture and flavor, add a tiny drizzle of the reserved cranberry juices. Cap with the top half of the bun.
- Garnish the assembled sliders with freshly chopped rosemary for an aromatic and appealing finish.
Notes
- For the Cranberry Orange Relish, I highly recommend straining it to separate the thicker relish from the thinner juices. This prevents the slider buns from becoming soggy and offers guests the choice of a thicker relish or a lighter drizzle of juice.
- This beef tenderloin recipe is incredibly versatile! While perfect for sliders, the roasted beef can also be served as an elegant main course on a platter with the Cranberry Orange Relish offered on the side.
- Rosemary adds a significant depth of flavor to the beef. If you’re not a fan of its strong aroma, you can omit it, but it truly elevates the dish.
- Adding butter to the skillet during the searing process enhances the richness and flavor of the beef, contributing to a superior crust. While optional, it’s a step I highly recommend for extra indulgence.
- The recommended internal temperature for beef tenderloin is 140°F (60°C), resulting in a beautiful rare to medium-rare finish, as shown in the pictures, which keeps the meat exceptionally juicy. If some guests prefer their beef more well-done, you can cook a few slices separately for a slightly longer duration to achieve a higher internal temperature.
Nutrition
Nutrition information (per serving, estimated):
- Calories: 139 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 588mg
- Potassium: 99mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 7g
- Vitamin A: 241 IU
- Vitamin C: 14mg
- Calcium: 21mg
- Iron: 0.4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
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More Holiday Beef Recipes to Inspire
Looking for more beef-centric ideas for your holiday menu? Check out these fantastic recipes from my fellow bloggers:
- Garlic Herb Crusted Roast Beef from Tastes of Lizzy T’s
- Beef Tenderloin with Mushrooms and Fresh Herb Butter from Lemons for Lulu
- Pepper Crusted Prime Rib Roast from Jelly Toast
- Garlic Rosemary Prime Rib Roast with Horseradish from NeighborFood
- Beef Wellington Burger from Melanie Makes
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For more expert tips and tricks on how to perfectly cook beef tenderloin, check out this insightful article from The Kitchn.
Today’s post is proudly sponsored by the Ohio Beef Council. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands and products that make A Cedar Spoon possible.
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