Once you make this Turkey Tenderloin Recipe, you’ll never go back to making turkey any other way! The turkey tenderloin is the utmost softest, juiciest part of the turkey breast and as a bonus it cooks in less than an hour! It’s been such a crowd pleaser and every single guest has fallen in love with it! Sharing all the tips and video for turkey tenderloin recipe below.
We love turkey beyond Thanksgiving, and thanks to this fabulously easy, delicious, juicy and quick turkey tenderloin recipe–cooking turkey is a breeze! While we share so many ways to cook turkey here, they’re all turkey breast recipes. We certainly favor the turkey breast and ever since we tried the turkey tenderloin, we decided never to go back!
Some of our best turkey breast recipes which you need to try, Succulent Dry Brine Turkey Breast –the ultimate way to brine turkey breast! Turkey Breast Recipe On the Stove -the most GENIUS way to cook turkey breast and ensure a succulent juicy turkey! Mediterranean Turkey Sandwich — our favorite leftover turkey sandwich with a Mediterranean twist of course
Well for today, we’re tackling turkey tenderloin and everything you need to know about it!
What is Turkey Tenderloin
The turkey tenderloin is a boneless skinless part of the turkey breast. It’s the area of the turkey breast that has the most underused muscle and hence, the turkey tenderloin is the most tender part of a turkey. It’s similar to its chicken counter part–the chicken tender.
Turkey tenderloin is super versatile and can be cooked in so many ways. It’s used in a variety of cuisines and cultures so you can really flavor it endlessly.
Because of how tender the tenderloin is, it cooks very fast. It’s also smaller in size compared to a turkey breast, so keep in mind you’ll need at least two turkey tenderloins to make up for one turkey breast.
In terms of taste, turkey tenderloin has the same flavor you crave in a turkey breast, only more succulent and juicy. Seriously softer and juicier! Now that we covered what is a turkey tenderloin, lets talk about turkey tenderloin recipe.
Make this Turkey Tenderloin Recipe
There are so many ways to cook a turkey tenderloin just as much as there is to cook a whole turkey. I’m starting off with a super simple one. Here are a few basic things about making today’s turkey tenderloin recipe.
- Today’s turkey tenderloin recipe is pan seared in butter for a delicious crust and finished off in the oven. Our favorite tip for succulent turkey is definitely using a meat thermometer.
- The simplest seasoning are used for this recipe and that’s all you need to taste the delicious tenderloin! A blend of garlic powder, onion flakes, paprika, brown sugar, dried chives, Italian seasoning (or oregano), salt and pepper.
- This turkey tenderloin recipe also has a rich gravy which is made using pan drippings after roasting the turkey, so it’s just a small extra step since the flavor is already there.
- We love brining turkey and since this is already a tender cut, you’ll brine for as little as 30 minutes and you’ll have GREAT results! You can brine up to 24 hours. The brine solution is basically water, salt and sugar. Adding extra whole spice is optional.
- I get my turkey tenderloins online from Sealand Quality Foods–I find they have the BEST products ever in terms of quality and freshness! And now the details.
How to Cook Turkey Tenderloin
You’ll start with the extra step of brining –which is super recommended! We add whole peppercorns and bay leaves to the turkey after adding the brine solution.
Make sure the turkey tenderloin is patted dry after brining. That’s the best way for the seasoning to stick to the meat.
Use the seasoning mix above and sprinkle it all over the turkey tenderloin, both sides and pat them down.
The turkey tenderloins are added to a skillet with butter and you’ll need to sear them until golden on one side. You’re not really cooking the turkey here, but rather you want to achieve a perfect golden sear.
Once the turkey tenderloin is golden, you’ll flip them and cook them for 3 minutes more before adding more flavors. Start by adding whole cloves of garlic, crushed.
And orange juice. Turkey and orange are a classic combo, however if you’re not a fan of this combo, then you can skip it. Next is to add fresh herbs. If you don’t have fresh, you can certainly use dried herbs. My favorites are fresh oregano, thyme and sage.
Now it’s time to add a liquid for the turkey tenderloin to absorb, so make sure it’s a flavorful one! I added chicken stock. Keep in mind that these flavoring items we added like the garlic, orange, herbs and stock, along with the turkey tenderloin seasoning are what create the gravy. So you want to make sure not to skimp
The final step is to cover the skillet you’ve used to sear the turkey with foil and roast the turkey in the oven to continue cooking all the way through. If your skillet is not oven proof, then you’ll need to transfer the turkey and everything into an oven safe dish, cover it and roast.
Once your oven thermometers registers 170 degrees F in the center most part of the turkey tenderloin, then it’s ready to be out of the oven. Keep it covered and place the turkey on a wooden board while you make the gravy.
How to Make Turkey Gravy
You’ll start by mixing all purpose flour into a jar of milk. You can use milk, cream or half na half. It really depends on how rich you want your turkey gravy to be. How rich and how creamy too! I used half n half for the record.
Now you’re going to add the flour into that same skillet where the turkey tenderloin was seared and roasted. You can see so many drippings and flavor happening there!
Once you’ve added the flour mixture, and have it simmer for a 10 minutes, you’ll beed to mash the gravy. Using a potato masher, mash the garlic, any drippings until your gravy is smooth.
You’ll need a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl to strain your gravy. You want a really nice and rice Turkey gravy. And at that point your gravy is ready!
Serve Turkey Tenderloin
- Serve up the turkey cut up and succulent as is or drench with gravy!
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are my favorite mashed potatoes recipe!
- Butternut Squash Casserole is so light yet crisp and super easy to make!
- Honeynut Squash is a sweeter version of the butternut squash and I love serving with a Mediterranean twist!
- Wedge Salad is a simple yet festive salad depending on the toppings you add!
- Burrata Salad is a perfect salad with luscious Burrata Cheese.
- Since I’m not a green bean person, I’ll suggest another squash recipe: Butternut Squash Lasagna!
- Pan Fried Potatoes are a garlicky spice whole baby potatoes that are exquisite!
- My Air Fryer Baked Potato is my go to for baked potatoes!
Turkey Tenderloin Recipe Tips
- Choose quality turkey tenderloin –I buy mine from Sealand (you can read all about them in this baked Mahi Mahi Post)
- Take the extra 30 minute step to brine the tenderloins–it makes a difference!
- Season with a dry spice blend only–you don’t want burnt pieces of garlic in your drippings!
- Pan sear before roasting to have a gorgeous crust!
- Stock is best for roasting the tenderloin, however water, wine, orange juice or a combo may also be used.
- Cover the pan while roasting to ensure the turkey is juicy.
- Use a meat thermometer to find out when the turkey is done–you absolutely don’t wanna guess!
- It’s best if you let the turkey cool down for 10 minutes before slicing.
- You got to make the gravy int he meantime instead of waiting, and you’ll see the drippings are already there waiting for you.
- Cream is optional in the gravy, it adds an extra rich layer of silky-ness!
- Leftovers are great to add over pasta Burrata Pasta, Pasta Primavera, Spaghetti aglio e olio -Olive oil Pasta, Pesto Pasta with Pistachio Pesto are some of my favroite to pair with turkey.
- You can of course go for the sandwich leftover and make Mediterranean Turkey Sandwich.
Are turkey tenderloins the same as turkey breast?
No. The turkey tenderloin is a boneless and skinless chunk of the turkey. It occurs between the turkey breast, so it’s part of it but not the same.
Is turkey tenderloin lean meat?
Is turkey breast tenderloin healthy?
Turkey Tenderloin Recipe
Ingredients
Turkey
- 3 turkey tenderloins Defrosted if frozen to room temperature
Brine
- 5 cups water
- 3 Tablespoons Kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar
- 1/4 cup whole peppercorns
- 4 bay leaves
Turkey Spice
- 2 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoons Onion Flakes
- 2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon chive flakes
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
Searing and Roasting Turkey recipe
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 6 sprigs fresh oregano or rosemary or thyme
- 1 1/2 cups stock
- 4 Tablesooons Butter
Gravy
- 2 cups Milk
- 2 Tablespoons flour
Instructions
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The first step is to brine the turkey tenderloin, this can be for as little as 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
-
Mix the brine ingredients and pour over the turkey tenderloin.
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After 30 minutes, remove the turkey tenderloin from the brine and pat them dry. You need to make sure you dry them as best as you can so that the seasoning would stick to the meat.
-
Mix all the seasoning ingredients in a bowl.
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Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the both sides of the turkey tenderloins, Be generous with the seasoning.
- Preheat the oven to 375 dgereesF
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Preheat the butter in a heavy oven safe skillet (preferable), or a regular skillet and later transfer to an oven dish.
- Sear the turkey for 8-10 minutes on one side until golden, and then flip to cook for another 7 minutes.
-
Once seared on both sides, add in some garlic.
-
Add the orange juice, and herbs.
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Now pour the stock and dab the butter all around the pan.
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Cover the pan with foil and roast in the oven for 25-35 minutes depending on the thickness of your turkey tenderloins until an oven thermometer reads 170 degrees F in the thickest part of the tenderloin.
-
If you're transferring to an oven dish, follow exactly the same step by removing the turkey from the skillet and add it to an oven safe dish. Add on the garlic, orange juice, herbs, butter and stock, cover the pan and roast.
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When done, place the turkey on a cutting board and cover with foil while you make the gravy.
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Mix the milk and flour in a jar and pour over the skillet drippings and sauce (if using an oven safe dish, transfer all ingredients back to the same searing skillet you used at first).
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Bring to a boil and use a potato masher to mash up all ingredients together. Cook the gravy for 15 minutes simmering on low heat.
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Strain the gravy into a bowl.
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Pour the gravy over the turkey and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Turkey Tenderloin Recipe Tips
- Choose quality turkey tenderloin --I buy mine from Sealand (you can read all about them in this baked Mahi Mahi Post)
- Take the extra 30 minute step to brine the tenderloins--it makes a difference!
- Season with a dry spice blend only--you don't want burnt pieces of garlic in your drippings!
- Pan sear before roasting to have a gorgeous crust!
- Stock is best for roasting the tenderloin, however water, wine, orange juice or a combo may also be used.
- Cover the pan while roasting to ensure the turkey is juicy.
- Use a meat thermometer to find out when the turkey is done--you absolutely don't wanna guess!
- It's best if you let the turkey cool down for 10 minutes before slicing.
- You got to make the gravy int he meantime instead of waiting, and you'll see the drippings are already there waiting for you.
- Cream is optional in the gravy, it adds an extra rich layer of silky-ness!
- Leftovers are great to add over pasta Burrata Pasta, Pasta Primavera, Spaghetti aglio e olio -Olive oil Pasta, Pesto Pasta with Pistachio Pesto are some of my favroite to pair with turkey.
- You can of course go for the sandwich leftover and make Mediterranean Turkey Sandwich.
Are turkey tenderloins the same as turkey breast?
No. The turkey tenderloin is a boneless and skinless chunk of the turkey. It occurs between the turkey breast, so it's part of it but not the same.Is turkey tenderloin lean meat?
Is turkey breast tenderloin healthy?
Nutrition
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