Tenderloin Tip & Chain — Genesee Valley Ranch (2024)

FAQs

What do you do with the tenderloin chain? ›

Next: What do I DO with Tenderloin Chains? Literally anything— Chop them up and use them for tacos, fajitas, steak salads, shepherd's pies, etc. If you're looking for small nuggets of yum for any cooking purpose, then these are the nuggets for you!

It's common to wonder, “Is beef tenderloin the same as filet mignon?” The answer is no, they are two different cuts of beef. However, filet mignon comes from the beef tenderloin, cut from the very end and most tender area of the tenderloin.

When you've got the tenderloin on the table, you'll notice that there's a tapered end and a fat end. Along the length of it, you'll also find a narrow strip of meat that is only loosely attached to the main bit. This is known as the "chain," and should be removed for roasting.

Limited Availability and High Demand

This cut is extracted from the tenderloin area of the animal, a relatively small muscle that produces only a small portion of meat per animal. As a result, there is a limited supply of filet mignon available compared to other cuts, which increases its overall value.

There is nothing special about the chain cut off the tenderloin. It's cut off so you get good even steaks out of the tenderloin. The chain is best used for stir-fry or anything else where small pieces cooked quickly works.

Beef Tenderloin is a long cut of beef that you can use for a roast, Beef Wellington, or slice into small portions of steak known as “Filet Mignon”. Tenderloin is particularly useful for entertaining guests and special occasions, as you can cut several extremely tender, perfectly portioned, mouthwatering steaks from it.

Nicely trimmed, extremely tender and flavorful ends of the Tenderloin. Perfect for center of the plate, kabobs, stews and stir-fry. Cut location is the tapered anterior tip of the Tenderloin thus the name Tenderloin “Tips.”

Beef tenderloin is where you'll find filet mignon. But because filet mignon is just a portion of the full tenderloin, it's more expensive per pound than the beef tenderloin itself.

There isn't really anything that fits the bill as a perfect substitute as tenderloin is both very tender and very mildly flavored. But there are some good options. I often recommend sirloin filet as an option as it looks similar and has similar leanness; but you sacrifice some tenderness (but pick up bigger flavor).

The entire tenderloin roast is a large cut that's extremely versatile. It can be cooked whole for a spectacular dinner, but it can also be cut into a beautiful stack of amazing steaks. Personally, I've found it's best to cut a combination of steaks and a small roast to get the most mileage from a whole tenderloin.

Where do tenderloin tips cut come from? ›

While part of the sirloin tip is often used, steak tips can also come from flap meat, flank steak, as well as tenderloin tip and parts of the round. Just don't use a T-bone or filet mignon to make tips, those should cook up unbothered to a nice medium-rare.

The Ribeye is generally considered to be the most flavourful steak. These steaks are cut from the ribs and contain a lot of marbling throughout. The muscle from where the Ribeye is cut, isn't used often so the meat is very tender.

The tenderloin itself, once trimmed and cooked, serves about 2-3 people per pound as part of a larger meal, so often anywhere from 12-16 people for a whole one.

Step 6 The tenderloin head can be roasted whole or cut into steaks. Step 7 The tenderloin head can also be cut into cubes for kabobs or stew.

Not Tying. If you are cooking a whole tenderloin, the inconsistent shape can result in uneven cooking. This is why it's best to tie the cut before you cook it. A whole beef tenderloin has a thin tapered end and a thicker end.

The slight strip of beef which is tied to the whole tenderloin with fat and sinew is basically known as the chain. The Fillet chain off seems to be exceptional as it has not been completely pulled out from the loin which also benefits with the quality of tenderness.