Beef Wellington

Name: Beef Wellington
Prep time: 1 h 45 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms (about 1/2 cup); 1/2 cup boiling water; 1 (2- to 3-pound) center-cut beef tenderloin roast, trimmed; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 medium shallots, finely chopped; 2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped; 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, trimmed and finely chopped; 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves; 6 ounces chicken or duck liver pâté (see Game Plan note), at room temperature; 6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto; 1 (14- to 16-ounce) package all-butter puff pastry, thawed in the refrigerator if frozen; All-purpose flour, for dusting; 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Beef Main Dish Christmas British Roasting Mushrooms Pork Shallots Holidays Medium

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6 to 8 servings Medium

Total: 1 hr 45 mins, plus 55 mins roasting and resting time Active: 1 hr 45 mins

33 Ratings

Ingredients (15)

1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup boiling water
1 (2- to 3-pound) center-cut beef tenderloin roast, trimmed
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium shallots, finely chopped
2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, trimmed and finely chopped
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
6 ounces chicken or duck liver pâté (see Game Plan note), at room temperature
6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
1 (14- to 16-ounce) package all-butter puff pastry, thawed in the refrigerator if frozen
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1 large egg, lightly beaten

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A classic beef Wellington recipe is usually served at a wedding or any variety of stuffy banquet dinners. With layers of pâté, mushroom duxelles, sometimes prosciutto, and puff pastry wrapped around a tenderloin, beef Wellington can be a meat marriage made in either heaven or hell. This recipe is the heavenly version. Try it with our easy, creamy Mushroom Gravy recipe, followed by our classic Old Fashioned recipe.

Game plan: Store-bought pâté will work fine in this recipe, or you can make your own using our Chicken Liver–Port Pâté recipe.

This recipe was featured as part of our Last Kodachrome Christmas menu. For an easier take, we recommend a simple beef tenderloin recipe.

Adapted from "Beef: And Other Bovine Matters" by John Torode

What to buy

Farberware 6-Quart Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Aluminum Jumbo Cooker with Helper Handle and Lid, $29.99 on Amazon

This pan is roomy enough to brown a large roast and deep enough to make sauces and stews.
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Tips for Beef, Christmas, and Pork

Tip

How to Thaw Beef

As with most meat, the safest way to thaw beef is in the refrigerator. Small cuts of beef can take up to 24 hours, while larger slabs can take a few days. If you’re in a pinch, frozen beef can be thawed in a bowl or container of lukewarm water. Place the bowl or container in the sink and leave under a running faucet. Never allow raw beef to thaw or sit on a counter or cutting board. Since it takes longer to thaw than most meats, it is more susceptible to bacteria growth.

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Next: How to Freeze Beef

Tip

How to Freeze Beef

In order to effectively freeze beef, you’ll want to limit its exposure to air. This not only prevents the production of freezer burn, but also extends its shelf life to three months or longer. The best way to package beef is to wrap it tightly in freezer paper or plastic wrap. You should then wrap the meat in a layer of aluminum foil or place it in a plastic bag.

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Next: How to Store Beef

Tip

How to Store Beef

For ground beef, keep refrigerated and use within one to two days. It can stay in its original container if the packaging hasn’t been opened. Steaks follow the same protocol, but can last a bit longer at three to five days. It’s actually best to allow a little airflow with stored meat, as tightly-adhered plastic like Saran wrap can make meat sweat and, as a result, less tender. Meat can be transferred to plastic containers, but should be covered loosely.

Never refrigerate raw meat if it’s been sitting out beyond two hours.

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Next: Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

Tip

Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

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Next: What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Tip

What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.

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Next: How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Tip

How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.

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Next: How to Freeze Pork

Tip

How to Freeze Pork

Pork fares best in the freezer if packaged with freezer-friendly materials like waxed paper, aluminum foil, or heavy-duty plastic bags. Wrap any meat tightly so that air does not escape and freeze at 0°F. Generally, fresh cuts of pork can last up to six months, while ground pork can last up to three.

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Next: How to Thaw Pork

Tip

How to Thaw Pork

Pork is easiest to thaw when placed in the refrigerator in its original wrapping. Small roasts will take three to five hours per pound, while larger roasts can take up to seven hours per pound. Thawing ground pork depends entirely on the thickness of its packaging.

It is safe to cook frozen or partially-frozen pork, but its cooking time may take 50 percent longer. Frozen pork should not be cooked in a slow cooker.

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Next: How to Store Pork

Tip

How to Store Pork

Sealed pork products can typically last in the fridge for two to four days, with ground pork having a slightly shorter shelf life at one to three. Ham or other smoked pork products like bacon can be stored for up to a week, though this only applies to products that aren’t vacuum sealed or prepared with preservatives. The latter can obviously last a lot longer.

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Next: How to Thaw Beef

Instructions

1Place the porcinis in a small heatproof bowl and pour in the boiling water. Let sit until completely softened, about 30 minutes. Using a fork, transfer the porcinis to a cutting board (be careful not to disturb the gritty sediment at the bottom of the bowl). Finely chop the mushrooms and set them aside. Slowly pour the soaking liquid into a small bowl, leaving the sediment behind; set the liquid aside and discard the sediment.
2Season the beef all over with salt and pepper. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until foaming. Place the roast in the pan and brown it all over, taking care not to burn the butter, about 5 to 6 minutes total. Transfer the roast to a plate to cool.
3Melt the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a separate medium frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 1 minute. Add the reserved porcinis, the garlic, the reserved porcini liquid, and the cremini mushrooms and stir to combine. Increase the heat to medium high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushroom mixture has released most of its moisture and appears dry, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, add the thyme, and stir to combine. Set aside to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
4When the mushroom mixture has cooled, place the pâté in a medium bowl and beat with a rubber spatula until smooth. Add the mushroom mixture and stir to evenly combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Using a long metal spatula, spread half of the mushroom mixture evenly over one side of the beef roast. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap, slightly larger than the roast, horizontally on the work surface. Vertically arrange half of the prosciutto, one piece slightly overlapping the next, along the length of the plastic wrap (it should be about the same size as the roast). Place the roast mushroom-side down on the prosciutto. Spread the remaining mushroom mixture over the roast. Lay the rest of the prosciutto slices, in the same manner as before, over the mushroom mixture. Fold up the edges of the plastic wrap and use another piece of plastic to enclose the entire roast; refrigerate.
5Heat the oven to 425°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Cut off about one-third of the puff pastry from the sheet and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle 1/8 inch thick and at least 1 inch larger than the base of the roast. Transfer to a baking sheet. Prick well with a fork all over and bake until brown and crisp, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer the pastry to a cutting board to cool, then trim it to the size of the roast. Return the pastry to the baking sheet; set aside.
6Remove the roast from the refrigerator. Remove and discard the plastic wrap. Brush the roast all over with the beaten egg; reserve the remaining egg.
7Roll out the remaining puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 12 by 14 inches. Place the roast on top of the cooked pastry base. Lay the rolled-out pastry over the roast. Use a spatula to lift up the pastry base, then tuck the sides of the uncooked pastry underneath the cooked pastry to seal the roast. Brush the pastry all over with the reserved egg. Roast for 20 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 400°F and continue to roast for 25 minutes more for rare to medium-rare beef, 30 to 35 minutes for medium. Remove the Wellington from the oven and let it stand for about 10 minutes before slicing.