Mystery Meat for Thanksgiving

[T-bone]

The Boss decreed we weren't having Turkey on Thanksgiving this year. I wisely said, "Ok". When I asked what we were having I was told just to wait and see what she brings home on Wednesday. I again wisely said, "Ok" because 32 years of marriage has taught me that this is the proper response to most of the statements made by the Boss.

I was lucky and the Mystery Meat I was provided was...Beef Tenderloin. I definitely scored with a tasty and easy to prepare piece of meat. Just another example of why "Ok" continues to be the proper response.

After a quick trussing and a night of dry brining, the tenderloin was ready for the smoker.



I sprayed the tenderloin with a 50/50 mix of apple juice and Honey Jack so I could stick on a healthy coat of rub. Then I fired up the smoker using a mix of mesquite and cherry pellets. I also put a pan of veggies and stock below the tenderloin, similar to what I traditionally do with a turkey thanks to Meathead.





After 2 hours at 225, I bumped up the temp to 275 for the last hour. I pulled it at 133. About every 30 minutes of the cook, I spritzed the tenderloin with the AJ/HJ mixture. We were very happy with the results.





The beef tenderloin was amazing. It was super tender (yes you could use a butter knife), the rub was a nice spicy/sweet contrast to the richness of the meat and it had great smoke flavor that wasn't overpowering. The 'Mystery Meat" was definitely more expensive than a Turkey, but it was a total home run for a special Thanksgiving meal.

[EdF]

OK!

[RonB]

Great job.

[Troutman]

That looks fantastic, I love a tenderloin. I too am getting away from the turkey trot for Thanksgiving, so many better options. We had a tradition, for example, at our beach house where we'd have family and/or friends down and do a big seafood boil or bouillabaisse rather than traditional Thanksgiving. That one was always appreciated by all who participated. Again, great job and tradition buster !!

[T-bone]

Thanks! We also had some 'turf' in the form of mussels steamed in a white wine sauce. It's hard to beat a good seafood boil. Great anytime of the year.

[MBMorgan]

I was lucky and the Mystery Meat I was provided was...Beef Tenderloin. I definitely scored with a tasty and easy to prepare piece of meat. Just another example of why "Ok" continues to be the proper response.

That looks fantastic! FWIW, I REALLY wish SWMBO hadn't insisted on a "traditional Thanksgiving meal" (nothing grilled or smoked, indoor oven, plastic roasting bag, dry white meat (cooked to an IT of 197), rubber skin ... all of which went into the garbage after "dinner" ... sigh).

Fortunately, I've been tasked with Xmas dinner ... I'm thinking prime rib roast on the new pellet pooper ...

[T-bone]

Ouch. Good luck with Christmas dinner. We've done a number of rib roasts on our pellet pooper. It's always a hit. But the Boss, just today, said she liked the beef tenderloin over the rib roast. I'm a huge fan of rib eyes/rib roasts, but I can't argue with her. This made amazing filets with an amazing flavor. It's totally ruined me from getting filet minion in a restaurant.

[EdF]

My "Norman Rockwell" method somewhere on the site satisfies the traditional requirements without getting dried out. Maybe try it some time. Part of the trick is almost no smoke (optional) without drying it out. Works in the oven too.

[Mr. Bones]

Great lookin tenderloin, Brother!

What did ya use fer yer rub?

[T-bone]

Thank ya, Sir. I used my homemade rub. It's similar to Meathead's BBBR. I know it's crazy talk, but I preferred the bark of the rub over wrapping with bacon. The mesquite/cherry smoke made up for the smoke you get from bacon and though lean, it was super moist and didn't need the fat from the bacon. Don't worry I still believe bacon can make almost everything better, but it wasn't missed here.

[Mr. Bones]

Doesn't sound crazy, it sounds Crazy Delicious, Brother! T-bone

[TechSmoker]

I love it when people are okay with not doing traditional turkey for Thanksgiving.

[HawkerXP]

Very, very nice!

[T-bone]

Thanks!

[Fire Art]

Turkey beef what’s the difference as long as the Boss is Happy

[Sweaty Paul]

Looks delicious.