This $6.99 ALDI Find Tastes as Good as a Restaurant's

Even as a professional recipe developer, I still get a bit intimidated cooking beef tenderloin. It's one of those cuts that feels too fancy and expensive to risk messing up. Plus, there's always the question of if my kids will eat it.

But since ALDI has their Petite Beef Tenders on sale for just $6.99 a pound, I knew it was steak time. The tenders come pre-seasoned in two flavors—Garlic or Peppercorn—and are part of ALDI's Finds, which means they're only here for a limited time.

That's a bummer because they might be my new favorite weeknight luxury. They're a restaurant-quality cut that makes dinner feel like a four-star restaurant with very little work.

How I Cooked and Served ALDI's Petite Beef Tender

I chose a 1 1/2-pound Peppercorn Petite Beef Tender. First, I tied it up (a little trick to ensure even cooking) and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

While it was sitting, I preheated the grill on high heat to around 500°F. After cleaning and lightly oiling the grates, I seared the tender on each side for six to seven minutes to get a good "crust."

Right away, the smell was intoxicating. After searing, I turned off the direct burners, lowered the heat on the other burners to medium (about 350°F), and cooked it for another 25-ish minutes. This was an easy way to achieve a perfect medium-rare.

When it was done, I wrapped it in tin foil and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing it—the key to keeping all those juices locked in. It was dinnertime, so I'll admit, the waiting felt torturous, but the result was well worth it.

I paired it with a fresh peach and cucumber salad, grilled corn on the cob, and roasted new potatoes. The combination was summer on a plate. And the leftovers made an incredible addition to a simple arugula salad the next day. Talk about getting my money's worth!

Why I Love ALDI’s Petite Beef Tender

ALDI’s Petite Beef Tender is incredibly convenient. The beef comes ready to cook, with flavors already infused, so I didn't need to fuss with preparing a marinade or rub. This made it particularly valuable on a weeknight. And considering that beef tenderloin can run anywhere from $20 to $25 per pound, depending on the grade, trimming, and where it's purchased, $6.99 per pound is an excellent price. At the end of the day, it made a great meal that my whole family loved. And for me, it elevated what usually feels like an everyday routine. 

Every bite was tender and juicy. The meat is highly seasoned, so some people might find it salty, but my whole family thought it was the "Goldilocks" of seasoning, with everything being "just right."

My husband couldn't stop raving about it, and I get it. I'm already thinking about new ways to serve it because it'll be a regular purchase when it's available. I will grill it again—the process was simple, and the result was fantastic.

Next time, though, I might turn thinly sliced leftovers into a non-traditional but epic Banh mi. Do chua (Vietnamese pickles) make every sandwich taste better. The possibilities are endless. And at this price, I don't feel like I have to save it for special occasions. If you want to add a touch of affordable luxury to your meal rotation, ALDIi's got your back—again!