How Much Does Beef Tenderloin Cost Per Pound? A Detailed Pricing Guide

Beef tenderloin is one of the most desirable, tender cuts of beef you can buy With its buttery texture that melts in your mouth, it’s easy to see why beef tenderloin commands a higher price per pound than other cuts like chuck or round

But if you’ve ever shopped for beef tenderloin at the grocery store or butcher shop, you know the price can vary quite a bit. So how much does beef tenderloin really cost on average? What factors affect the price per pound? And where can you find the best deals on high-quality tenderloin?

In this complete guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about beef tenderloin cost per pound so you can budget accordingly and find the right tenderloin for your needs and budget.

What Is Beef Tenderloin Exactly?

Before we dive into tenderloin prices, it helps to understand exactly what this cut is.

Beef tenderloin refers to a long, tapered muscle that runs along the underside of a steer or heifer. It sits in the short loin primal cut between the sirloin and rib primal cuts.

Since the tenderloin gets little exercise as the animal moves, it contains very little connective tissue. This makes it the most naturally tender muscle on the entire animal. When cut into individual steaks, the tenderloin is called filet mignon.

Whole beef tenderloins range from 5 to 7 pounds in size. They have a thick “head” end that tapers down into a narrow “tail.” This versatily cut can be roasted whole, cut into steaks, or sliced into medallions.

Beef Tenderloin vs. Filet Mignon

You’ll often hear the terms “beef tenderloin” and “filet mignon” used interchangeably. But there’s a slight difference:

• Beef tenderloin refers to the entire whole muscle before it’s cut.

• Filet mignon refers to the individual steaks cut from the tenderloin.

So all filet mignon steaks come from the beef tenderloin. But not all parts of the tenderloin can be called filet mignon.

French butchers traditionally separate the large “head” or “butt” into bifteck or chateaubriand roasts. The middle section becomes tournedos or filet steaks. And the narrow tail end makes tenderloin tips.

Average Price Per Pound for Beef Tenderloin

Now onto the main question: How much does beef tenderloin cost on average?

Let’s start by looking at the price range:

• Low end: $12 per pound for untrimmed, Choice grade at big box stores
• High end: Up to $35 per pound for pre-trimmed, Prime grade from specialty butchers
• Typical range: $20 – $25 per pound

As you can see, there’s quite a bit of variability in beef tenderloin prices. Where your tenderloin falls in this range depends on several factors:

Grade of Beef

• Choice: The most common grade. Good marbling for flavor and tenderness.

• Prime: The highest grade with the most marbling. More tender and flavorful. Costs the most.

• Select: The lower grade with less marbling. More affordable but not as tender.

Trim Level

• Untrimmed: Whole tenderloins as they come off the animal with the outer fat and “chain” muscle still attached. More work to prep but costs less per pound.

• Trimmed or “Peeled”: The outer fat, chain muscle, and silver skin are removed by the butcher or supplier, saving you prep time. Weighs less but costs more per pound.

Time of Year

• Winter: Prices typically highest from November to February when beef demand is higher.

• Spring/Summer: More affordable pricing from March to October when costs drop.

Where You Buy

• Big box stores: Better pricing but less selection. Costco, Sam’s Club, etc.

• Supermarkets: More grades and options with markup for convenience.

• Butcher shops: Most selection but highest costs. Pay for butcher expertise.

• Online specialty stores: Prices vary widely. Upper end driven by processing and shipping.

Current Market Conditions

• High demand periods: Holidays, summer grilling season

• Low supply: Drought or other conditions limiting cattle raising and beef production

• Promotions/sales: Weekly specials and markdowns to move inventory

Where to Find the Best Beef Tenderloin Prices

Now that you know what impacts the price, where should you go to find the best value? Here are our top recommendations for finding deals on high-quality beef tenderloin:

• Costco: Our #1 pick for buying beef tenderloin in bulk. Prices as low as $18/lb for Choice grade, sometimes even $12/lb when on promotion. Can’t beat the quality and cost from their Kirkland Signature house brand. Go for the untrimmed whole tenderloins.

• Sam’s Club: Similar bulk pricing to Costco. Look for USDA Choice grades around $18-22/lb. Excellent source for stocking up.

• Restaurant Depot: A wholesale club offering solid prices for quality product. Expect $22-28/lb for Prime or Choice. Must have a business membership or go as a guest.

• Local Butcher Shops: Develop a relationship and ask about pre-ordering whole tenderloins when they go on sale. Aim for $25/lb or less.

• Supermarket Deals: Check weekly ads and buy on discount when Choice grades hit $15/lb or less. Buy extra to freeze.

No matter where you shop, inspect the product before purchasing. Look for good marbling, color, and freshness.

How Much Tenderloin to Buy Per Person

Beef tenderloin is ready to cook as a roast or steaks with very little waste. For serving sizes, plan on approximately:

• 8 ounces (1/2 lb) per person for appetizer or entree portions

This allows for some bone/fat trim and shrinkage during cooking. The weight translates to:

• Filet mignon: One 8-10 ounce steak per person
• Tenderloin roast: About 6 people per 3 pounds
• Tenderloin tips: Allow 4-6 ounces per app

For a dinner party, allow 10-12 ounces (3/4 lb) per person if tenderloin is the main dish. Leftovers are great for sandwiches or next-day steak salads.

Breaking Down the Cost Per Serving

To get a true sense of value, let’s see what a beef tenderloin costs per serving compared to dining out.

We’ll calculate based on a 5-pound tenderloin from Costco for $99.99 ($20/lb):

Total Cost = $99.99
Total Raw Weight = 5 pounds (80 oz)
Serving Size = 8 oz filet
Number of Servings = 10
Cost per Serving = Total Cost / Servings
$99.99 / 10 servings = $9.99 per serving

Consider a restaurant charges $39 for an 8 oz filet dinner. Buying beef tenderloin at $20/lb and cooking it at home saves over $29 per serving compared to dining out.

That’s a 74% savings by purchasing beef tenderloin in bulk from a warehouse store vs. a single restaurant steak. Even compared to cooking filet mignon from a grocery store, Costco allows you to serve gourmet beef for under $10 per person.

How Big Are Whole Beef Tenderloins?

If you buy a whole beef tenderloin, expect the following average size:

• Weight: 5 to 7 pounds
• Length: 20 to 24 inches
• Diameter (Thickest End): 4 to 5 inches

A tenderloin this size will feed:

• 10 to 12 people if serving 8 ounce filet mignon steaks
• 16 to 20 people if served as 3-4 oz. appetizer portions

Depending on your gathering, you may need to purchase multiple whole tenderloins. Or choose to slice and serve the meat another way.

Is Beef Tenderloin Worth the Price Per Pound?

Due to its soft texture and mild flavor, beef tenderloin carries a heavy premium over other cuts of beef. Even at Costco prices, it still costs $6-8 more per pound than sirloin or ribeye.

However, the dining-out comparison proves that buying whole tenderloins at wholesale clubs can save substantially over restaurant filet mignon.

While still expensive relative to ground beef, beef tenderloin provides an incredible beef eating experience with its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Treat it as a special occasion splurge.

Within your budget, always choose the best quality grade you can afford from a supplier you trust. This ensures a tender, juicy eating experience that justifies the higher beef tenderloin cost per pound.

Tips for Preparing Beef Tenderloin

To make the most of your beef tenderloin investment:

• Trim off outer fat and silverskin for best presentation
• Apply a light coating of oil before seasoning
• Roast in oven at 400°F to desired doneness between 120°F (rare) and 135°F (medium rare)
• Sear the exterior in a hot pan for added flavor and texture
• Let rest 5+ minutes before slicing for juicy results

Common Ways to Cook Beef Tenderloin

You have lots of options to showcase beef tenderloin beyond basic pan searing:

• Bacon-Wrapped – Wrap with bacon before roasting or grilling
• Wellington – Coated in pâté and duxelles, wrapped in puff pastry
• Stuffed – Cut a pocket to stuff with blue cheese, spinach, etc.
• Sous Vide – Cook low and gentle in a water bath
• Surf & Turf – Pair with lobster, shrimp, or crab
• Kebabs – Alternate tenderloin chunks with veggies on skewers

Use creativity to make the most of this premium cut worthy of celebrations and special occasions.

Is Beef Tenderloin Worth the High Price Per Pound?

While it comes at a premium cost, the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of high-quality beef tenderloin provides an incredible beef eating experience. Using bulk purchasing and smart shopping strategies, you can save substantially over restaurant pricing.

Within your budget, buying whole beef tenderloins from warehouse clubs and portioning yourself provides the best value per pound. Look for savings opportunities whenever possible to enjoy this tender cut.