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Roast Beef Tenderloin with Caesar Crust

This roast beef tenderloin with Caesar crust is a sophisticated take on a classic centrepiece, offering a superb balance of tender meat and a punchy, savoury topping. By combining the salty depth of anchovies, sharp Parmesan, and bright lemon zest, this high-protein dish mimics the iconic flavours of a Caesar salad in a rich, roasted form. It is an excellent choice for a weekend dinner party or a special family gathering where you want to impress with minimal fuss.

Preparing the beef a day in advance allows the seasoning to penetrate deeply, ensuring every slice is succulent and well-flavoured. As the beef roasts, the mayonnaise-based crust creates a golden, protective seal that keeps the meat perfectly pink inside. Serve this elegant roast alongside some simple steamed seasonal greens or crisp roasted potatoes for a truly balanced and comforting homemade meal.

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Ingredients for Roast Beef Tenderloin with Caesar Crust

  • 450g centre-cut beef tenderloin, fat and silverskin trimmed

  • Kosher salt

  • 4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper plus more for seasoning

  • 70g fine fresh breadcrumbs made from day-old white bread

  • 100g finely grated Parmesan

  • 160ml mayonnaise

  • 4 anchovy fillets packed in oil, drained, finely chopped

  • 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 4 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Season tenderloin lightly with salt and pepper. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate overnight.

Uncover tenderloin; let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 204°C. Set a rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer tenderloin to rack. Pulse 4 teaspoons black pepper and remaining ingredients in a small food processor until well blended. Generously and evenly spread and pack Parmesan mixture around tenderloin.

Roast until crust is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of tenderloin registers 43°C to 46°C for rare and 49°C to 52°C for medium-rare, 30-40 minutes.

Transfer to a carving board. Let rest for 20 minutes. Cut into 1/2"-thick slices, taking care not to lose too much of the delicate crust.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

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UK recipe editors

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UK recipe editors

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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