Enjoy a delicious turkey dinner with this easy roasted turkey tenderloin recipe. No need to fuss with a whole turkey or even a full turkey breast. Turkey tenderloin is a wonderful option for a turkey dinner any night of the week.
In under an hour, you can be slicing and serving this delicious turkey tenderloin for dinner. With only 5 total ingredients, you can make the most flavorful and tender turkey that everyone will love.
Turkey tenderloins are a delicious and lean cut of meat that can make for a quick and easy dinner. When cooked properly, turkey tenderloins come out incredibly moist, tender and packed with flavor. The key is using the right technique to prevent the lean cut from drying out.
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to cook turkey tenderloins in the oven so they turn out perfect every time. Whether you are cooking for Thanksgiving, a special occasion or just a weeknight meal, these flavorful oven-baked turkey tenderloins will be a hit.
What Are Turkey Tenderloins?
Turkey tenderloins, also sometimes called turkey medallions or turkey fillets, are premium cuts of boneless, skinless white meat that come from the area right beneath the turkey breast.
Compared to a whole turkey breast, tenderloins are much smaller in size, usually around 1-2 pieces that weigh 4 ounces each. They have a very delicate texture and are regarded as the most tender part of the turkey.
When shopping, look for packages labeled turkey tenderloins, turkey fillets or turkey cutlets Avoid buying whole turkey breasts for this recipe, as tenderloins are the specific cut you need
Benefits of Cooking Tenderloins in the Oven
There are a few key reasons why using the oven is the best cooking method for turkey tenderloins
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Produces tender, juicy meat by cooking the tenderloins gently at a lower temp.
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Allows you to sear the tenderloins first to lock in flavor and juices
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Delivers even cooking so tenderloins bake through without drying out.
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Lets you get a nice browned exterior from the dry oven heat.
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Requires only basic kitchen tools – no need for special equipment!
Step-By-Step Guide for Oven-Baked Turkey Tenderloins
Follow these simple steps for baking flawless turkey tenderloins every time.
Ingredients
- 2 turkey tenderloins (about 4 oz. each)
- Olive oil
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme or sage (optional)
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, etc.
Directions
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Heat oven and prep pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
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Pat tenderloins dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly pat dry both sides of the tenderloins. This helps them get nicely browned.
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Coat with oil: Use your hands to lightly rub each tenderloin with olive oil on all sides. This adds flavor and moisture.
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Season the meat: Generously season both sides of the tenderloins with salt, pepper and any other spices you want. Herbs like rosemary and thyme work very well.
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Sear the tenderloins: Heat a skillet with oil over high heat. Add tenderloins and sear for 1 minute per side until nicely browned.
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Transfer to baking sheet: Place seared tenderloins on the prepared baking sheet. Try not to crowd them.
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Bake: Put tenderloins in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 155°F.
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Let rest: Remove from oven, tent with foil and let sit for 5-10 minutes until temp reaches 165°F.
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Slice and serve: Cut into slices or medallions. Garnish with extra herbs if desired. Enjoy your tender, juicy oven-baked turkey!
Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Turkey Tenderloins
Follow these tips for the best oven-baked turkey tenderloins every time:
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Pat the raw tenderloins very dry before searing to help with browning.
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Make sure your skillet is piping hot before searing to lock in juices.
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Use a meat thermometer to accurately gauge doneness. Remove at 155°F and let rest to 165°F.
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Adjust oven temp and cook times slightly based on size of tenderloins. Larger ones may need more time.
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Letting them rest after baking allows juices to redistribute for tender meat.
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Add a flavorful rub, herbs or marinade to give your baked tenderloins even more flavor.
Common Questions
What temperature should I bake turkey tenderloins?
Bake turkey tenderloins at 350°F for the best results. This gently roasts them while still producing browned exterior and juicy interior.
How long should I cook turkey tenderloins in the oven?
Cook for 15-18 minutes at 350°F until internal temp reaches 155°F. Then let rest for 5-10 minutes until 165°F. Adjust time slightly up or down per size.
Should I sear turkey tenderloins before baking?
Yes, searing them first helps lock in flavorful juices and gives you a delicious browned exterior. Use a very hot skillet for 1 minute per side.
What’s the best way to tell when turkey tenderloins are done?
Use an instant read meat thermometer to check for 155°F when removing from oven. Letting it rest to 165°F prevents overcooking.
Can I bake turkey tenderloins without searing first?
You can, but searing really helps enhance flavor and texture. If you don’t sear them first, you may need to bake a bit longer.
Serving Suggestions for Turkey Tenderloins
Baked turkey tenderloins pair nicely with all different kinds of flavors. Consider serving with:
- Hearty sides like roasted potatoes, rice, quinoa or couscous
- Sauteed greens like spinach, kale, broccoli or asparagus
- Fresh salads with vinaigrette dressing
- Homemade gravy or cranberry sauce
- Healthy roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots or squash
Get creative with your pairings! Oven-baked turkey tenderloins work for all kinds of meals.
Enjoy Perfectly Cooked Turkey Tenderloins!
Cooking turkey tenderloins in the oven results in deliciously tender, juicy meat when you follow the right method. By patting them dry, searing, and then gently roasting, you’ll get fantastic results every time.
Use this complete guide to bake your own flavorful turkey tenderloins for special occasions, weeknight dinners or anytime you need an easy, tasty meal.
What is Turkey Tenderloin?
Turkey tenderloin is a very lean and tender section of white meat located under the turkey breast. They are generally about ¾lb each and packaged two to a package. You’ll find them in the meat section on the supermarket. The packaging is similar to pork tenderloin – vacuum sealed in long and slender package. Turkey tenderloin is skinless and all white meat.
I’m always drawn to recipes which have a low number of ingredients. I mean, that makes them easy, right? In this case, absolutely! Aside from our turkey tenderloins, we’ll use some butter or margarine, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder and parsley flakes. Really, that’s it. The lemon pepper seasoning provides a brightness that is perfect for skinless, lean poultry. Combined with the garlic powder, it creates a very savory and delicious seasoning for our turkey.
After removing the packaging, give the turkey tenderloins a rinse with cool water. Then, we want to pat them dry with paper towels. Line an 8″ x 8″ glass baking dish with aluminum foil. This will make cleanup much easier. In a small dish, combine the lemon pepper, garlic powder and parsley. In another small dish, melt the butter or margarine in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Now brush the bottom foil to prevent sticking, then brush the turkey tenderloins until well coated. Now simply sprinkle on the seasoning. You’ll have enough to liberally seasoning all sides of the turkey tenderloins.
Bake at 350°(F) for About 45 Minutes
Our turkey tenderloins are now ready for the oven. Place the dish on the middle rack, uncovered, in a preheated oven at 350°(F) for 40-50 minutes. You’ll want the internal temperature of the turkey to be between 160°(F) and 165°(F) when measured with an instant read food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. The internal temperature is very important. You’ll find that most often 45 minutes is perfect. Keep in mind that the turkey will continue to cook for a few minutes when removed from the oven to taking it out at 160°(F) is ideal for best results and to get to the ideal temperature for poultry – 165°(F).