Chateaubriand

Background and History

Chateaubriand is a classic French dish named after the famous French writer and politician François-René de Chateaubriand. The dish is traditionally made from a thick cut of beef tenderloin, grilled or pan-seared to perfection and served with a rich sauce. It’s a symbol of French gastronomy and has been enjoyed by food enthusiasts for centuries.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds beef tenderloin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or clarified butter
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)

Serves: 2-4 people
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Instructions

Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Season Beef

Season the beef tenderloin generously with salt and pepper on all sides.

Sear Beef

Heat olive oil or clarified butter in an oven-safe skillet over high heat. Sear the beef on all sides until nicely browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Roast

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast the beef until it reaches your desired level of doneness, about 10-15 minutes for medium-rare.

Rest

Remove the beef from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Prepare Sauce

While the beef is resting, prepare the sauce. In the same skillet used for cooking the beef, sauté the shallots until softened. Deglaze the skillet with red wine and beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer until the sauce reduces by half. Whisk in the unsalted butter until smooth and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Slice and Serve

Slice the beef tenderloin into thick pieces and serve with the prepared sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Nutrition Facts

(per serving)
Calories: ~400
Total Fat: ~25g
Saturated Fat: ~10g
Cholesterol: ~120mg
Sodium: Varies
Total Carbohydrates: ~2g
Protein: ~40g

Note