For steak lovers, the petite tender is a delicious and underrated cut of beef. This small, tender muscle from the chuck/shoulder area offers a distinctly flavorful, tender steak experience when cooked properly.
While often grilled or pan-seared, the petite tender also shines when oven roasted. The dry heat of the oven concentrates flavors and promotes browning for a great crust. Follow this guide to master oven-roasting petite tender filets to juicy, tender perfection
What is Petite Tender?
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Small, oval-shaped muscle located in the chuck/shoulder region.
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Knows as “calotte”, “teres major”, or “petite filet”.
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Similar shape to tenderloin but more flavor at a lower price
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When trimmed, it forms a petite tenderloin-like filet.
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Very tender thanks to minimal connective tissue.
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Offers a distinctly beefy, rich flavor absent in true tenderloin.
For steak connoisseurs, the petite tender is an underappreciated gem worth discovering. Treat yourself to this delicious treat!
Choosing the Right Petite Tender
When shopping for petite tender steaks, opt for quality beef such as Prime or Choice grades. Look for:
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Bright red color indicating freshness.
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Good marbling for flavor and tenderness.
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Minimal sinew, gristle, or silver skin.
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Steaks around 4-8 oz. and 3/4 to 1 inch thick.
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Uniform shape with tapered “tail” end.
The best petite tender comes from premium beef producers like Omaha Steaks. Check your local butcher for availability as well. Pro tip: order the whole petite tender roast and slice steaks yourself for better value!
Preparing Petite Tender for Oven Cooking
To oven roast petite tender steaks to perfection:
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Trim excess fat & silverskin – This will prevent buckling when cooking.
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Coat with oil – A light coating of oil helps promote even browning.
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Season well – Flavor the meat aggressively with salt, pepper and herbs/spices.
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Let sit briefly – Allow seasonings to penetrate the meat for 30 mins before cooking.
Pro tip: If time allows, salt the steaks overnight in the fridge for ultra-seasoned flavor.
How to Cook Petite Tender Steak in the Oven
With prep complete, we’re ready to oven roast for delicious results:
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Preheat oven to 450 ̊F – High heat helps sear and brown.
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Place steaks on wire rack – Elevates steaks to allow air circulation.
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Roast for 15-25 minutes – Timing varies based on thickness.
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Flip steaks halfway – Ensures even cooking on both sides.
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Check temperature – Remove at 125-135 ̊F for medium rare doneness.
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Rest 3-5 minutes – Allows juices to redistribute before slicing.
And that’s all there is to it! With this simple roasting method, you’ll achieve tender, juicy petite tender filets with a perfect crust every time.
Oven Roasting Tips for Petite Tender
Follow these tips for flawless oven roasted petite tender steaks:
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Bring meat to room temp before cooking for even heating.
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Preheat oven fully before adding steaks. Proper oven temp is key.
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Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness and avoid overcooking.
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Rest steaks after cooking to maximize juiciness and tenderness when cut.
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Slice steak thinly against the grain to maintain tenderness when eating.
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Avoid opening the oven excessively when cooking. This causes temp fluctuations.
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Make sure oven rack is centered to prevent uneven cooking.
Common Petite Tender Oven Roasting Mistakes
It’s easy to dry out or overcook petite tender steaks. Avoid these mishaps:
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Cooking at too low of a temperature
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Roasting without an oven thermometer to confirm temp
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Neglecting to rest the steak after cooking
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Cutting the steak the wrong direction against the grain
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Forgetting to trim silverskin or coat with oil
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Overcrowding steaks on a pan instead of even spacing
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Not using a meat thermometer to check doneness
With proper technique, you’ll roast perfect petite tender steaks every time.
Delicious Recipes for Oven Roasted Petite Tender
Petite tender excels in simple preparations but also shines in these tasty oven roasted recipes:
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Basil Pesto Crusted Petite Tender – Coat steaks with basil pesto before oven roasting.
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Parmesan Herb Roasted Petite Tender – Coat steaks with an herbed Parmesan crust.
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Rosemary Lemon Petite Tender – Infuse bright rosemary lemon flavors when oven roasting.
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Petite Tender with Roasted Vegetables – Roast petite tender alongside seasoned veggies.
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Petite Tender Chimichurri – Top roasted steaks with this flavorful herb sauce.
Let your imagination run wild with creative spice rubs and flavorful toppings to complement the petite tender’s beefy flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Oven Roasted Petite Tender
This tender cut deserves a proper presentation. Serve petite tender steaks with:
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Lemon wedges, herb butter or chimichurri sauce for topping
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Sauteed or roasted veggies like mushrooms, Brussels sprouts or asparagus
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Classic sides like baked potatoes, rice pilaf or creamy polenta
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A bold glass of Cabernet, Malbec or Zinfandel wine
On special occasions, consider plating with a red wine reduction or béarnaise sauce for an elegant presentation.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Petite Tender
Leftover oven roasted petite tender keeps well:
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Allow steaks to cool completely before refrigerating.
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Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
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Reheat gently in a skillet with butter or sauce to serve.
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Slice cold petite tender steaks thin and enjoy over salad greens.
With proper storage, leftovers make quick workday lunches or weekday dinners.
Put your new petite tender cooking skills to work with this easy, reliable oven roasting method. Impress dinner guests, treat your family or enjoy a steakhouse-quality meal on a budget. Just beware – once you realize how delicious this underrated cut can be, those supermarket tenderloin steaks may lose their appeal!
What’s your favorite recipe for cooking petite tender steak? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!
Delicate medallions of petite tender are cooked to a perfect medium rare, and complimented with lashings of creamy roasted garlic aiol
The Petite Tender is one of my very favorite cuts. It’s the right size to feed two light eaters, or maybe even one person who doesn’t like to share! This is a tricky cut that can be hard to find unless you live near a great butcher or a grocery store with a big meat counter. Also difficult – the fact that it is known by so many different names. You may see Petite Tender the most, but you can also find it as Bistro Tender and under the Latin name Teres Major. Tip: It’s NOT the Mock Tender. That one comes from the shoulder area too, but it’s a different cut.
Aside from how tender and tasty it is, one of the things I love most about this cut of beef is its shape: it’s almost like a mini-tenderloin—a long, cylindrical piece that cooks quickly and evenly and looks great when sliced to serve. It’s true that the shape of the raw meat can affect how easy it is to cook. This is one reason why brisket is so damn hard to get right.
The beef doesn’t need a co-star because it wants to be the star of the show. This roasted garlic aioli is very smooth because the roasting takes away any bitter or strong tastes and replaces them with caramelized sweet notes. For an extra garlicky result, you can even use three or four whole heads of garlic.
Finally, I must insist that you use a good quality meat thermometer to monitor your temperature to perfect results. I use and recommend the Thermapen.
How To Cook Oven Roasted Beef Tenderloin
FAQ
Is petite filet of beef the same as filet mignon?
How long should I cook a filet in the oven?
How to cook Morton’s of Omaha Petite Tender Beef Filet?
How long to cook 2 inch filet mignon?
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Thickness
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Rare 110 to 120 F
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Medium 130 to 140 F
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1.5″
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3 minutes EACH SIDE
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4 minutes EACH SIDE
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1.75″
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3.5 minutes EACH SIDE
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4.5 minutes EACH SIDE
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2″
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4 minutes EACH SIDE
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5 minutes EACH SIDE
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How do you cook a tender beef filet in the oven?
To cook a petite tender beef filet in the oven, preheat your oven to a high temperature, around 425°F (220°C). Season the filet with your desired seasonings and place it on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan. Cook for about 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches your desired level of doneness.
How do you cook a tender beef filet mignon?
In a cast-iron skillet or oven-safe pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the seasoned petite tender beef filet in the pan. Sear each side for about 2-3 minutes or until a beautiful crust forms. Transfer the skillet or pan to the preheated oven.
How do you cook a tender beef filet in a cast iron skillet?
Start by preheating a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add a tablespoon of cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado or canola oil. Gently place the seasoned petite tender beef filet into the skillet and let it sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side until a glorious golden crust forms.
How long do you cook a small filet of beef?
With 6 minutes left on the timer for the potatoes, place a medium cast iron skillet or a high heat rated, oven safe skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot sear the petite filet of beef on all sides until brown. This will take approximately 2 minutes per side. Remove the skillet from the heat.