U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


  • Cocoa-Spiced Beef Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa

Latin American flavors come alive in this festive beef dish with fruity salsa

Recipe Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners
Prep time Cook time Yields Serving Size
20 minutes 20 minutes 4 servings 4 oz tenderloin roast, ¼ C salsa
Photograph of the completed recipe.
Ingredients

  • ½ Tbsp vegetable oil
    1 beef tenderloin roast (16 oz)

  • For salsa:

    ½ C canned diced pineapple, in fruit juice, chopped into small pieces
    ¼ C red onion, minced
    2 tsp fresh cilantro, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or substitute ¼ tsp dried coriander)
    1 Tbsp lemon juice

  • For seasoning:

    1 tsp ground black pepper
    1 tsp ground coriander
    1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
    ¼ tsp ground allspice
    1 Tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
    2 tsp chili powder
    ¼ tsp salt

215
calories
9 g
Total fat
3 g
Saturated fat
67 mg
Cholesterol
226 mg
Sodium
2 g
Total fiber
25 g
Protein
9 g
Carbohydrates
451 mg
Potassium

Directions

  • 1
    Preheat oven to 375 ºF.

  • 2
    For the salsa, combine all ingredients and toss well.  Let sit for 10–15 minutes to marinate while preparing the seasoning and cooking the meat.

  • 3
    For the beef tenderloin seasoning, combine all ingredients.  Lightly oil the tenderloin and spread an even layer of the dry seasoning over the entire roast. 

  • 4
    Place the seasoned roast on a roasting or broiling pan and roast 10–15 minutes (to a minimum internal temperature of 145 ºF).  Let cool for 5 minutes before carving into 16 slices (1 ounce each).

  • 5
    Serve four slices of the tenderloin with ¼ cup salsa on the side. 

Tip: Delicious with a side of rice and Grilled Romaine Lettuce With Caesar Dressing.

_______________
™Keep the Beat is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.