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 tenderloin is a delicious and lean cut of meat that can easily dry out if overcooked. Properly baking turkey tenderloins at 350°F results in tender, juicy meat bursting with flavor. But how long should you bake turkey tenderloins at 350°F?
Through research and testing, I’ve found 12-15 minutes to be the ideal baking time for getting perfectly cooked turkey tenderloins when using an oven temperature of 350°F.
Follow the steps and tips below for foolproof juicy oven-baked turkey tenderloins every time.
What is Turkey Tenderloin?
Turkey tenderloin is a premium boneless skinless cut of white meat that comes from underneath the turkey breast. It’s sometimes labeled as turkey medallions or turkey fillets.
Compared to the breast meat, tenderloin is smaller in size but even more tender and fine-grained in texture It’s regarded by many as the most tender part of the turkey!
When shopping, look for packages of 1-2 tenderloins that are approximately 4 ounces each.
Why Bake at 350°F?
There are a few key reasons why 350°F is the best temperature for baking turkey tenderloins:
- Cooks the tenderloins evenly throughout without drying them out.
- Allows you to achieve a nice browned exterior from searing while keeping the inside moist.
- Cooks the turkey in a quick timeframe – tenderloins are fully baked in 12-15 minutes.
- Uses standard oven equipment – no specialty gear needed.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow my simple step-by-step method for baking flawless turkey tenderloins every time.
Ingredients:
- 2 turkey tenderloins (4 oz. each)
- Olive oil
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, herbs like thyme or sage)
Directions:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Pat the tenderloins dry and coat all over with olive oil. Generously season both sides.
- Sear the tenderloins in a hot skillet for 1 minute per side.
- Transfer to the baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until 155°F internally.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes until 165°F before slicing and serving.
Tips for Baked Turkey Tenderloin Perfection
Follow these tips to ensure your turkey tenderloins turn out perfectly juicy and delicious:
- Pat the raw tenderloins very dry before searing to help browning.
- Use a hot skillet when searing to lock in juices.
- Monitor temperature with a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Letting it rest after baking allows juices to redistribute.
- Adjust bake times slightly up or down based on tenderloin size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I really bake turkey tenderloins at 350°F?
For 1-2 tenderloins around 4 ounces each, bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until 155°F, then allow to rest until 165°F.
What is the best way to cook tenderloin?
Searing then roasting at 350°F produces the juiciest, most flavorful results.
Should I cover the tenderloin when baking?
No, bake uncovered for even cooking. You can tent foil over it while it rests.
What temperature should I remove turkey tenderloin from the oven?
Take it out of the oven at 155°F, then let it rest until 165°F for safety.
Can I grill turkey tenderloin instead of baking?
Yes, grilled turkey tenderloin is delicious in summer! Grill over direct medium heat.
Satisfying Turkey Tenderloin Meals
Baked turkey tenderloin makes for a quick and easy dinner pairing nicely with sides like roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or salad.
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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).