What is Pre Beef Tenderloin? An In-Depth Look at This Premium Cut

Pre beef tenderloin, also known as filet mignon, is one of the most coveted cuts of beef. Renowned for its tenderness and delicate flavor, beef tenderloin commands premium prices at restaurants and butcher shops But what exactly is pre beef tenderloin and what makes it so special?

The tenderloin is a long tapered muscle that runs along the underside of the backbone in cattle. As a hardly used muscle the tenderloin remains very tender. When removed from the carcass as one whole piece, it is called a full tenderloin.

The tapered shape of the tenderloin means the cut gets narrower as it runs from the rear of the animal up towards the ribs. The thickest part near the hindquarters is called the butt end, while the narrowest part up near the ribs is called the tail end.

When the full tenderloin is trimmed and portioned, the following sub-primal cuts are obtained:

• Tenderloin steak – comes from the thickest butt end. Also called filet mignon or chateaubriand.

• Tournedos – comes from the center of the full tenderloin.

• Tenderloin roast – the majority of the full tenderloin is left whole as a roast.

• Tenderloin tips – comes from the thinner tail end.

The most prized cuts from the tenderloin are the filet mignon steaks cut from the butt end. The combination of their thick cut and hardly used muscle makes these steaks incredibly tender, succulent and flavorful.

What Makes Pre Beef Tenderloin Special?

Pre beef comes from cattle that are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished. This means the cattle spend their entire lives grazing on open pastures and are never fed grain.

The grass-fed, free-range lifestyle has several advantages that make pre beef stand out:

• Leaner and lower in fat – Grass-fed beef is lower in fat and calories compared to grain-fed beef. Pre beef tenderloin has up to 63% less fat than USDA Choice tenderloin.

• Rich nutritional profile – Studies show grass-fed beef is higher in antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene. It also contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

• No added hormones or antibiotics – Cattle raised exclusively on pasture do not require growth hormones or routine antibiotics. Pre beef is 100% free of added hormones and antibiotics.

• Free-range environment – Pre cattle enjoy plenty of fresh air, green grass and exercise instead of being cooped up in crowded feedlots. This natural environment and diet contributes to better animal welfare.

• Sustainable practices – Well-managed pastures used for grass-fed beef production can help sequester carbon and regenerate soil health. This makes grass-fed a more environmentally sustainable choice.

• Verified sourcing – Pre thoroughly vets all their ranching partners to ensure proper animal welfare and sustainable practices are adhered to. Pre beef also carries Non-GMO Project Verified, Paleo Certified and Whole30 Approved distinctions.

Overall, the grass-fed and pasture-raised difference makes pre beef tenderloin a premium quality product that is nutritionally superior and ethically produced compared to conventional grain-fed beef.

Where Does Pre Beef Come From?

Pre sources their grass-fed beef from cattle raised year-round on open pastures in mild climates like Australia, New Zealand and the United States. This allows the cattle continuous access to fresh pasture grasses.

Some of the nutrient-rich grasses include alfalfa, clover, ryegrass, Flinders grass and Mitchell grass. The varied grass diet delivers a well-rounded nutritional profile.

Pre believes the geography where cattle are raised affects the flavor and quality of the beef, similar to fine wines. Their beef supply chain team thoroughly vets all ranching partners to ensure the cattle enjoy optimal animal welfare and the beef meets Pre’s stringent quality standards.

How Pre Beef is Packaged for Freshness

Proper handling and packaging helps preserve the quality of pre beef after it leaves the ranch. Here are some key ways pre beef is packaged to maintain freshness:

• Vacuum-sealed – Pre beef cuts are vacuum-sealed at the processing facility immediately after cutting. This removes oxygen to prevent spoilage and freezer burn.

• Transparent packaging – Pre uses clear BPA-free pouches so customers can see the quality of the beef at a glance. The beef should have a bright red color and appealing marbling.

• Oxygen-free environment – No gases are added to the packaging to artificially enhance the color of the beef. Pre wants the beef fresh, not chemically altered.

• Temperature control – Frozen pre beef is shipped in insulated boxes with dry ice to keep it frozen. Fresh pre beef ships chilled in refrigerated boxes.

• Portioned cuts – Pre beef comes in fixed weight portions for consistent nutrition info and easy meal prep. No guess work required.

• Shelf life – Thanks to proper handling and packaging, pre beef enjoys a long shelf life of 9-12 months when frozen.

The careful processing and packaging allows pre beef to arrive in peak freshness, perfectly portioned and ready to cook.

How to Cook Pre Beef Tenderloin

Beef tenderloin has a delicate flavor and texture, so gentle cooking methods are best to avoid overcooking. Here are some top tips for cooking pre beef tenderloin steaks and roasts:

• Cook to medium rare – Cook tenderloin to an internal temperature of 135°F for optimal juiciness and tenderness. Any more than medium and it will become dry.

• Preheat thick steaks – Let thick filet mignon steaks sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking to take off the chill. Thinner steaks can be cooked directly from the fridge.

• Sear, then roast – For tenderloin roasts, sear all over on the stovetop then finish roasting in the oven at 400°F until it reaches desired doneness.

• Rest before serving – Let tenderloin steaks and roasts rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

• Enhance with sauce – Tenderloin pairs beautifully with buttery sauces, like béarnaise, red wine reduction or fresh herb chimichurri.

• Simply season – Avoid overpowering seasonings. A simple rub of salt, pepper and olive oil is all that’s needed to let the tenderloin’s flavor shine.

With its buttery texture and mild flavor, pre beef tenderloin is easy to dress up with simple pan sauces or crusty rubs. Cooked gently to medium rare, it makes for a stellar special occasion meal.

Nutrition Profile of Pre Beef Tenderloin

One of the benefits of grass-fed beef is its leaner nutritional profile compared to grain-fed beef. Here is how the nutrition info for a 6 oz pre filet mignon steak stacks up against a USDA Choice filet:

With significantly less fat and calories, pre beef tenderloin makes for a healthier red meat option while still delivering satisfying protein and essential nutrients like iron, zinc and B12.

Pre Beef Tenderloin Cuts and Portions

Pre offers premium beef tenderloin cuts fresh or frozen in individual vacuum sealed portions:

• Filet mignon – Available in 8 oz or 10 oz portions. The most tender and sought after steak cut.

• Tenderloin roast – Sold whole or half sizes from 2-4 lbs. Perfect for roasting or carving into steaks.

• Tenderloin medallions – Hand cut 2 oz medallions, perfect single serve portions.

• Tenderloin tips – 1 lb bags of flavorful tip pieces, ideal for kabobs or stews.

The individual vacuum sealed portions make it easy to defrost just what you need for a meal without any waste.

Is Pre Beef Tenderloin Worth the Price?

At around $50 per pound for filet mignon, pre beef tenderloin definitely sits at the higher end of the beef price spectrum. However, based on its stellar eating quality and ethical grass-fed production, the price is warranted for special occasions or as an occasional treat.

Here’s a summary of why pre beef tenderloin is worth the splurge:

• Melt-in-your-mouth tenderness – The naturally tender tenderloin muscle makes every bite luxuriously soft.

• Subtle, buttery flavor – With delicate flavor notes, tenderloin satisfies without overpowering the palate.

• Consistent portioning – Convenient individual packs mean you cook just what you need.

• Nutritionally superior – Higher antioxidants, omega-3s and CLAs than grain-fed beef.

• Peace of mind – No added hormones or antibiotics, humanely raised, third-party verified.

While not an everyday value cut, for special occasions pre beef tenderloin is a worthwhile splurge that delivers exceptional quality and a memorable dining experience.

Is Pre Beef Worth It?

At the end of the day, is pre beef actually worth paying the premium price compared to conventional beef? For many conscious consumers, the answer is a resounding yes.

Here’s a recap of the benefits that make pre beef stand out as a superior choice:

Delicious Grass-Fed Flavor – The 100% grass diet and slower growth naturally enhances the beefy umami taste.

Ethically & Sustainably Raised – Pre cattle enjoy a natural, stress-free life on open pastures. This translates into better animal welfare and environmentally friendly practices.

No Synthetic Hormones or Antibiotics – Reducing the use of drugs in beef production helps preserve human and cattle health.

Third-Party Verified Sourcing – Pre maintains strict standards and auditing of their ranching partners to continually improve.

Nutritionally Superior – Higher omega-3s and antioxidants compared to feedlot beef make pre beef a healthier choice.

Transparent Sourcing – Pre provides full traceability and shares the ranches where their beef is raised.

For consumers looking for the best quality beef produced in a natural, humane and sustainable manner, pre beef delivers on all fronts. The difference in flavor and nutrition gives it an edge worth the extra cost for the beef connoisseur.