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Spicy Cajun Rubbed bbq Beef Tenderloin

Spicy Cajun Rubbed BBQ Beef Tenderloin

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Grill charcoal or gas
  • Meat Thermometer
  • Tongs
  • Basting brush
  • Small Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
  

For the Cajun Rub

  • 2 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp dried thyme
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp cayenne pepper adjust for heat preference
  • 1 tsp ground white pepper
  • 1 tsp brown sugar

For the Beef

  • 2 lb beef tenderloin trimmed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter for basting

Instructions
 

Prep the Beef

  1. Pat the beef tenderloin dry with paper towels. Rub it all over with olive oil and Worcestershire sauce to help the spices stick.

Apply the Cajun Rub

  1. In a small bowl, mix all the Cajun rub ingredients together. Generously coat the entire tenderloin, pressing the seasoning into the meat to form a crust. Let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
    raw beef tenderloin, deep red in color

Preheat the Grill

  1. Set up your grill for two-zone cooking—one side with high heat (direct grilling) and the other cooler (indirect heat). Heat the grill to 400°F.

Sear the Tenderloin

  1. Place the beef directly over high heat and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, turning to get a good crust.

Cook Over Indirect Heat

  1. Move the tenderloin to the cooler side of the grill. Close the lid and cook until the internal temperature reaches 125°F for medium-rare (about 20-25 minutes). Baste with melted butter occasionally for extra flavor.
    beef tenderloin sizzling on a hot grill

Rest & Serve

  1. Remove from the grill and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat juicy.