Mini Beef Wellingtons

Who doesn’t love a bite-sized version of the classic Beef Wellington? These Mini Beef Wellingtons are the perfect combination of tender beef, savory mushroom duxelles, and a buttery puff pastry crust. They’re ideal for special occasions, parties, or when you just want to treat yourself to something luxurious. Trust me, once you take a bite of these golden, flaky parcels, you’ll be hooked!

Why You’ll Love Mini Beef Wellingtons

These little treasures are everything you want in an appetizer or main dish, all packed into a perfect bite-sized parcel. Here’s why they’re a must-try:

Versatile: Perfect for serving as an appetizer at a dinner party or as a special main course for a romantic dinner.

Budget-Friendly: While these may look fancy, you can make them with affordable ingredients and still impress your guests.

Quick and Easy: These Mini Beef Wellingtons come together much quicker than the traditional large version. You can enjoy the taste of luxury in just a short amount of time.

Customizable: You can adjust the fillings to your taste. Try adding a bit of goat cheese, or swap out the mushrooms for another veggie if you like.

Crowd-Pleasing: These are sure to wow anyone you serve them to. Who doesn’t love puff pastry and tender beef?

Ingredients in Mini Beef Wellingtons

Here’s what you’ll need to make these decadent bites:

Beef Tenderloin or Sirloin Steak: The star of the dish. You’ll want high-quality beef, as it’s the main flavor. Beef tenderloin is ideal for its tenderness.

Puff Pastry: A buttery, flaky base that’s perfect for wrapping around the beef and duxelles.

Mushrooms: These add a rich, earthy flavor that complements the beef beautifully. Button mushrooms or cremini work best.

Garlic and Shallots: These aromatics bring out the flavors of the mushrooms and beef, adding depth to the dish.

Dijon Mustard: A light coating on the beef helps to lock in flavors and adds a bit of tanginess to the dish.

Egg Yolk: For brushing on the puff pastry, giving it that beautiful golden color when it bakes.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Let’s dive into how to make these flavorful Mini Beef Wellingtons:

Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the pastry bakes to a perfect golden brown.

Sear the Beef: Season your beef tenderloin with salt and pepper. Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. Then, brush the beef with Dijon mustard and let it cool.

Prepare the Duxelles: In the same pan, sauté finely chopped mushrooms, garlic, and shallots in a bit of butter until the mixture is dry and golden brown. This is the duxelles, and it adds a rich, savory flavor to the dish.

Assemble the Wellingtons: Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut the pastry into squares large enough to wrap the beef. Place a spoonful of duxelles on the center of each square, top with the beef, and fold the pastry over the beef to seal it. Brush the pastry with egg yolk to give it a golden finish.

Bake to Perfection: Place the Wellingtons on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.

Serve and Enjoy: Let the Wellingtons cool slightly before serving. These little treats are best enjoyed warm and fresh out of the oven.

Nutrition Facts:

Servings: 6
Calories per serving: 350
(Note: These values may vary based on specific ingredients used.)

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

How to Serve Mini Beef Wellingtons

These little Beef Wellingtons are fantastic on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas:

• Serve with roasted vegetables, such as carrots or Brussels sprouts, for a hearty, balanced meal.
• Pair with a fresh salad for a lighter option that still feels indulgent.
• You can even serve them with mashed potatoes or a creamy risotto for a truly decadent meal.

Additional Tips

Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:

• For extra flavor, try adding some fresh thyme or rosemary to the duxelles.
• If you want to make this dish ahead of time, you can prepare the Wellingtons up to the baking step and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake.
• If you don’t have puff pastry, you can use phyllo dough, but puff pastry will give you that signature flakiness.

FAQ’s

1. Can I use a different cut of beef?
You can use other cuts like sirloin, but tenderloin provides the best tenderness for this dish.

2. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the Mini Beef Wellingtons and refrigerate them for a few hours before baking. Just make sure to let them come to room temperature before baking.

3. Can I freeze these?
Absolutely! You can freeze them before baking. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer for up to a month. Bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

4. Can I substitute the mushrooms?
If you don’t like mushrooms, try using spinach, caramelized onions, or even a mixture of roasted vegetables for the duxelles.

5. How do I make the puff pastry golden?
Be sure to brush the pastry with egg yolk before baking. This will give it a shiny, golden finish.

6. Can I use store-bought puff pastry?
Yes! Store-bought puff pastry works perfectly for this recipe and saves time without sacrificing flavor.

7. How do I prevent the pastry from getting soggy?
Be sure to let the beef cool slightly after searing, and don’t overload the duxelles. A thin layer is all you need.

8. Can I add cheese to the filling?
Yes, a bit of cheese like goat cheese or Gruyère can be added to the duxelles for extra richness.

9. How do I know when the beef is done?
The beef should be medium-rare to medium for the best texture. Use a meat thermometer to check; 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare and 140°F (60°C) for medium.

10. Can I serve this with a sauce?
A red wine reduction or a creamy mustard sauce would pair beautifully with these Mini Beef Wellingtons.

Conclusion

These Mini Beef Wellingtons are a delicious, elegant way to treat yourself or impress your guests. Perfectly seasoned beef, savory duxelles, and golden puff pastry come together to create a dish that feels like a luxury but is surprisingly easy to make. Whether it’s a special occasion or just a weeknight treat, these little bites are sure to be a hit every time.

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