Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloin with Garlic and Thyme

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef seared to a golden crust and finished with a fragrant garlic-thyme butter sauce. Perfect for a quick yet impressive weeknight dinner. This american-inspired beef (low carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs Beef tenderloin (center cut), Olive oil, Garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 580 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the 1.5 lbs beef tenderloin dry with paper towels and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on all sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the beef tenderloin and sear for 3 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 tbsp butter to the skillet, swirling to melt, and continue cooking for 2 minutes, basting the beef with the butter mixture.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the beef to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloin with Garlic and Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloin with Garlic and Thyme?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef tenderloin (center cut) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloin with Garlic and Thyme?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloin with Garlic and Thyme for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloin with Garlic and Thyme low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes