Expert: Steve Hanagan - 2/16/2008

Question
I am cooking a beef tenderloin roast for a dinner party.  My question is.  The roast will be in 4 pieces, how long do I cook them?  I would like to serve them between 8:00 and 8:15.   What time should I put them in?  Will they cook evenly?  Do I have to allow more time because there are 4 of them (Total of 10lbs)... Please hurry... I need help!

Answer
You do not simply multiply the cooking time by the number of pieces of meat,  you do want to add about 10% more time at this weight because you are cooking more food.  You will want an internal temperature of 135 when you remove them from the oven.  After resting 10 minutes, the temperature will rise to about medium rare.  You should slice them at that point, otherwise they will continue cooking from carry over heat.

Cooking evenly will depend on whether the pieces are approximately the same size.  If so, they should cook pretty evenly.

Four 2.5 pound pieces should cook to 135 degrees in about 30 - 40 minutes at 350 degrees F.  Accounting for about 10 minutes resting outside of the oven before slicing, you will want to start them around 7:10 in order to serve them at 8:00.  

Don't worry.  You'll do fine.