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Food

Beef Tenderloin

What is beef tenderloin?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Cut from Loin of beef[1]
Muscle Psoas major[1]
Location Between sirloin and ribs[3]
UK name Fillet[1]
France name Filet[1]

Beef tenderloin is the most tender cut of beef, sourced from the loin and consisting of the psoas major muscle. It is known as filet in France, fillet in the UK, and eye fillet in Australasia. This cut is often used for dishes like Beef Wellington.

Context

Beef tenderloin is a cut of beef from the loin, known for its tenderness. It is the psoas major muscle, located between the sirloin and ribs. It contains less connective tissue because the muscle is not weight-bearing [4].

Documented claims

  • Beef tenderloin is the most tender cut of beef. [2]
  • Filet mignon is a steak cut from the tenderloin tip. [5]

Related

  • Beef TartareBoth are preparations made from beef tenderloin cuts.
  • Wagyu BeefWagyu is a specific breed of beef that can include tenderloin cuts.

Questions and answers

Is a filet mignon the same as a beef tenderloin?

No, filet mignon is a steak cut from the tenderloin tip, while the tenderloin is the whole long muscle [5].

Is a beef tenderloin a good cut of meat?

Yes, it is considered the most tender cut of beef, with less connective tissue due to the muscle not being weight-bearing [2].

Sources

  1. Preparing And Cooking Beef... — pitchforkfoodie.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Beef Tenderloin - CooksInfo Food Encyclopaedia — cooksinfo.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. tenderloin — dictionary.cambridge.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Beef Tenderloin [Meat Cut Guide] — theonlinegrill.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. Beef Tenderloin vs. Filet Mignon: Are They the Same? — 1855beef.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Food