Savoring a lean, protein-rich meal is the ideal way to break away from a regular schedule, and this recipe for oven-roasted turkey tenderloin is delicious and simple to make. Every turkey breast tenderloin is expertly prepared, providing a delicious combination of juicy, tender meat and a delightful blend of seasonings. This recipe’s easy adaptability makes it ideal for a family dinner, especially on hectic weeknights when you need to quickly put a tasty, nutritious, and low-fat supper on the table!
Welcome to your ultimate guide on cooking succulent and flavorful turkey tenderloins! This guide combines the best insights from two popular culinary websites Fit Foodie Finds and COOKtheSTORY to provide you with an exceptional culinary experience. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this guide will empower you to prepare delicious turkey tenderloins that will impress your family and friends.
What are Turkey Tenderloins?
Turkey tenderloins are tender, boneless, and skinless cuts of meat found near the breast of the turkey. These versatile cuts are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special occasion dinner.
Choosing the Right Turkey Tenderloins:
When selecting turkey tenderloins look for a package with two tenderloins each weighing around 3/4 lb. Opt for tenderloins that are dry-packed, as they tend to be more flavorful and less salty than pre-brined options.
Preparing the Turkey Tenderloins:
- Brining (Optional): If using dry-packed tenderloins, consider brining them for a more flavorful and juicy outcome. A simple brine can be made by dissolving 1/2 cup of kosher salt in 2 cups of water. Submerge the tenderloins in the brine for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Pat Dry: After brining or rinsing (if using pre-brined tenderloins), pat the tenderloins dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Seasoning: Apply your favorite seasoning blend or use a simple combination of salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder.
Cooking the Turkey Tenderloins:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 300°F (150°C) for a slow and gentle cooking process.
- Searing: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Sear the seasoned tenderloins for 3-5 minutes per side, creating a beautiful crust.
- Roasting: Transfer the skillet with the seared tenderloins to the preheated oven. Roast for 15-25 minutes, depending on the size of the tenderloins, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Resting: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the tenderloins rest for 10 minutes. During this resting period, the internal temperature will rise to the safe and recommended 165°F (74°C).
Slicing and Serving:
Slice the rested turkey tenderloins and serve with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or a cranberry relish.
Additional Tips:
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate internal temperature readings.
- For a crispy crust, broil the tenderloins for a few minutes before slicing.
- Leftover turkey tenderloins can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
With this comprehensive guide, you now possess the knowledge and skills to cook mouthwatering turkey tenderloins that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you follow the classic approach from COOKtheSTORY or the flavorful brine-infused method from Fit Foodie Finds, you’re sure to achieve culinary success. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to embark on a delicious journey with turkey tenderloins!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What temperature should I cook turkey tenderloin? The recommended safe internal temperature for turkey tenderloin is 165°F (74°C).
- How long do I cook turkey tenderloin at 350°F? At 350°F (177°C), turkey tenderloin takes approximately 50-55 minutes to reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- How long do I cook turkey tenderloin at 400°F? At 400°F (204°C), turkey tenderloin takes around 35-40 minutes to reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Should I cover turkey tenderloin in the oven? Covering the turkey tenderloin during baking is not necessary. However, if the top begins to brown excessively, you can loosely cover it with foil until it reaches the desired internal temperature.
- Does turkey tenderloin get more tender the longer you cook it? Turkey tenderloin is a lean cut of meat, and overcooking can result in dryness and a tough texture. Therefore, it’s crucial to monitor the internal temperature and remove the tenderloins from the oven once they reach 165°F (74°C).
- Why should I let the turkey tenderloin rest? Resting allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful outcome.
Additional Resources:
- Fit Foodie Finds – Baked Turkey Tenderloin: https://fitfoodiefinds.com/baked-turkey-tenderloin/
- COOKtheSTORY – How to Cook Turkey Tenderloins Perfectly: https://cookthestory.com/how-to-cook-turkey-tenderloins-perfectly/
Enjoy your delicious turkey tenderloins!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Versatile: This is a simple and quick recipe that works well for hectic weeknights, but it can also be the main course of a traditional family meal, sliced and used on wraps or sandwiches, or even as a topping for pasta dishes or salads.
- Family-friendly: Because it’s so tasty, juicy, and tender, turkey tenderloin is a terrific choice for feeding a large group of people. It’s also usually a hit with young diners.
- Turkey tenderloin makes excellent leftovers that can be utilized for other meals throughout the week, such as salads and sandwiches.
- Brimming with Flavors: As a result of roasting, a wealth of scrumptious flavors and fragrances can emerge. I do have another delectable recipe for Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloin for Thanksgiving dinner. Because it has crispy and caramelized edges that add a delightful texture, this roasted turkey tenderloin has a slightly different taste profile than the one made in a crock pot.
Holiday Side Dish options
Some of my favorite holiday sides to serve with this Turkey Tenderloin, if you decide to serve it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another special occasion:
You can choose one or add a few sides to make a wholesome, well rounded dinner.
As easy as it sounds, this recipe for Roasted Turkey Tenderloin only takes 25 minutes to prepare, making it a great family dinner.
To get the best and most delicious results when making this recipe, I’ll go over a few tips and tricks I use in this section.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
- Turkey Tenderloins: These are located in the meat department’s turkey or poultry section. The only two brands that consistently carry these are Butterball and Jenni-O. Usually containing two tenderloins, the package is significantly larger than a chicken breast. 2 turkey tenderloins will be about 1. 5-2 pounds.
- Butter — Just cut it up into 3-4 slices. You can use salted or unsalted. Whatever you keep on hand is fine!.
- Turkey Seasonings: All of these spices are necessary to create the distinctive flavor of holiday turkey. Use a different seasoning mix, such as Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning, Greek Seasoning, or Fajita Seasoning, if you want to alter the flavor.
- Turkey Tenderloin: Because this cut is so lean, you want to make sure to keep all the juices and moisture in it to avoid overcooking it. Roast your turkey at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes. The thickness of the turkey, your oven, and even your climate will all affect how long it takes. It is done when the meat thermometer reads 165 degrees. at the thickest part of the turkey. This will insure that you don’t overcook your turkey. You can remove it and slice or shred it once it is cooked through.
- Butter — Put a pat of butter onto each tenderloin. The flavors of the turkey roast are incredible as the butter melts and infuses the tenderloin with flavor as it cooks!
- Seasonings: You might be asking yourself why I’m not marinating this. I think a dry rub works better for this recipe than a marinade because it’s so flavorful and goes together quickly.
Here are some tips to help you expedite this recipe if you must make it but are extremely pressed for time!
- Dry Rub: Prior to roasting, make the dry rub and apply it.
- Prepare Ahead: The night before or the morning of the event, rub the chicken with the dry rub. Make sure to store it in the refrigerator. This prevents the chicken from spoiling and ensures food safety. Before cooking, let it come to room temperature for approximately thirty minutes.
- Take a look at my Slow Cooker version of Turkey Tenderloin; it has a slightly different flavor profile but is still delicious and a very low-key dinner.
These small suggestions will work wonders if you adore this recipe as much as we do and are looking for some easy ways to switch things up for some variety!
- Citrus-Glazed Turkey Tenderloin: Use Dijon mustard, honey, and orange or lemon juice to make a tart glaze. While the turkey tenderloin is roasting, brush it with glaze for a burst of bright citrus flavor.
- Create a pocket in the turkey tenderloin and stuff it with mozzarella cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil pesto before roasting.
- Chili-Lime Turkey Tenderloin: To make a mildly spicy glaze for the turkey, mix together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and a small amount of brown sugar.
It’s easy to turn this recipe for Roasted Turkey Breast Tenderloin into a freezer meal; just follow the instructions below to keep it fresh for up to six months!
- Make your turkey tenderloin as directed.
- Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Put the tenderloins in a freezer bag or other freezer-safe container and portion them out into meal-sized portions.
- Freeze.
- Thaw the turkey in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours before using.