Beef Wellington

Beef Wellington

Beef Wellington is a true iconic dish that screams gourmet and is a show-stopping recipe perfect for an extraordinarily special occasion. Mind you, I could eat this any day of the week, without complaints! If you take the time to make this, your guests will definitely not be disappointed. Not only is the beef phenomenal, but it really does look like an amazing meal from a gourmet restaurant. Talk about impressing everyone! The combination of a thick, juicy and tender beef tenderloin, with duxelles and prosciutto all wrapped in a pastry shell is absolute heaven. To take this over the top, I made an epic red wine sauce that is perfect to smother your beef Wellington in. So, what are you waiting for? This recipe is perfect for a small gathering of your family or friends.

For The Beef

Beef – I used the center cut of a beef tenderloin, about 2 pounds. Some call it beef fillet or chateaubriand. You want to use the center of a tenderloin because this way you get a more uniform width which allows for even cooking of the beef. Salt and pepper – I generously sprinkle salt and black pepper on the meat before searing. Oil – I used little bit of olive oil to sear the meat all all sides, giving it a nice brown crust. Any vegetable oil will also work. Mustard – Only Dijon mustard will do for the best flavor by completely brushing it on and around the hot seared beef. However, some would argue and recommend an English mustard since beef Wellington is a British recipe. Crepes – Using thin crepes creates a base to place the prosciutto and duxelles on. However, crepes are optional, you’ll see many different recipes and some use crepes and some don’t. You can make your own crepes using my recipe, or get some already made from the grocery store. Prosciutto – Prosciutto has good flavor, and is delicately sweet, and salty. It pairs well with the beef. Puff Pastry – You can make your own puff pastry, if you really feel like making everything from scratch, but let’s face it, using store bought puff pastry is so much easier. Eggs – You’ll need some beaten eggs to brush over the puff pastry to create a crispy and golden exterior. Coarse Salt – Trust me you won’t want to skip this step, sprinkling the beef Wellington with some coarse salt, will make all the difference to that crispy pastry.

For Duxelles

Mushrooms – Use all white button mushrooms or creminis, or mix up a variety of mushrooms. It’s a matter of personal preference. I love mixing them for the ultimate flavor. Shallots and Thyme – Peel and chop a couple of shallots and some fresh thyme, perfect pairing with mushrooms. Garlic – Some minced garlic for flavor. Butter and Olive Oil – Some butter and olive oil to saute the mushrooms in.

For Red Wine Sauce

Butter – I used unsalted butter, divided. Once for cooking the shallot and then for adding to the sauce at the end to make it smoother and silkier. Shallot and Thyme – We’re carrying the same flavor profile to our sauce from the duxelles. Flour – A little all purpose white flour is used to thicken the sauce a bit. Brandy – Besides adding flavor, brandy will help deglaze your skillet, if needed. Wine – I prefer pinot noir or cabernet sauvignon, or use what you have. Beef Bouillon – Adding a cube of will enhance the beef flavor, for a rich sauce.

Make The Duxelles

Make The Beef

Roll In Puff Pastry

Make The Red Wine Sauce

What Is So Special About Beef Wellington?

I think that everything is special about Beef Wellington. It’s an iconic British dish, consisting of a special cut of meat, the chateaubriand, and the most tender on the animal, that should be celebrated. The meat is encased in mushroom duxelles and puff pastry.

What’s The Difference Between Chateaubriand And Beef Wellington?

A chateaubriand is referred to as a center cut of beef tenderloin, whereas a beef Wellington is coated in mushroom duxelles and rolled in puff pastry.

What Is Duxelles?

Duxelles is a fancy French word of garnish or stuffing made especially of finely chopped sautéed mushrooms, shallots, and herbs. This mixture is cooked for a long time until all the moisture evaporates from the vegetables.

Is Prosciutto The Same As Parma Ham?

Prosciutto di Parma can only come from the province of Parma in North-Central Italy where unique microclimates and Mediterranean breezes combine to provide ideal conditions for curing meat. Prosciutto di Parma is also referred to as Parma Ham.

Why Is The Meat So Tender In Beef Wellington?

The meat is so tender because of where the tenderloin is located in the cow. The beef tenderloin is a non weight-bearing muscle with very little exercise which keeps it from getting tough. In fact, if cooked properly, usually rare to barely medium rare, you should be able to cut the meat with a table knife. It literally melts in your mouth.

Can You Make Beef Wellington Ahead Of Time?

Yes! It’s such a great dish to make ahead of time. Prepare the beef according to the recipe and stop right before adding the puff pastry. Simply keep it wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 24 hours, then finish it as instructed.

Leftovers

First cut the beef Wellington into thick slices, then place the slices in a single layer in an airtight container. You can also wrap the slices tightly in aluminum foil. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, for best results.

Freezing

You can also freeze your beef Wellington, cut into individual slices in an airtight container, in the freezer for up to 2 months.

How To Reheat Leftovers

The best way to reheat it is in the oven. If frozen, line a baking sheet or oven safe dish with parchment paper, then place the beef slices cut side down on the paper. Bake for about 15 minutes at 400°F. If straight from the fridge bake for 15 minutes at 250°F.

More Must Try Beef Recipes

Beef Pot PiesPrime RibBeef TenderloinBeef BourguignonRoast Beef Beef Tips With GravyOven Baked Beef Brisket