This is the best recipe for baked turkey tenderloin ever! The meat is baked in butter that has herbs, garlic, and orange zest mixed in. It comes out tender, melt-in-your-mouth, so juicy. It’s perfectly spiced, fragrant, and baked to perfection.
Turkey tenderloin is a tender and very lean piece of turkey. Since this muscle isn’t used much, it’s very tender—more tender than a main part of the turkey breast! Since it’s very lean, it doesn’t have much flavor by itself, so you’ll need to add some fat (we’re using butter, which slowly bastes the meat as it melts) and lots of smelly spices to make it taste great.
What is the difference between turkey breast and turkey tenderloin? Turkey tenderloin is a small part of the whole turkey breast. It has no bones or skin and is found under the main part of the turkey breast.
Turkey tenderloin is an underappreciated cut of meat that can make for a quick, easy, and delicious dinner when cooked properly The tenderloin is a small, tender muscle found under the breast of the turkey, unlike the breast which can often dry out With the right technique, turkey tenderloins emerge from the oven incredibly moist, flavorful and tender.
One of the keys to cooking tender and juicy turkey tenderloin is using the ideal oven temperature. Too low and the tenderloin won’t cook through fully. Too high and it will dry out. For most tenderloins, 350°F is the perfect baking temperature to yield the best results. But exactly how long should you bake turkey tenderloins at 350°F?
How Long to Bake Turkey Tenderloin Depends on Weight
The baking time needed for turkey tenderloins depends on the size and weight. Here are some general guidelines:
- 12 oz tenderloin – bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes
- 1 lb tenderloin – bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes
- 1.5 lb tenderloin – bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes
- 2 lb tenderloin – bake at 350°F for 50-55 minutes
To ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature use an instant read meat thermometer. Turkey should register 165°F when fully cooked.
Tips for Baked Turkey Tenderloin Perfection
Follow these helpful tips for baking turkey tenderloins at 350°F to achieve the juiciest, most flavorful results:
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Brine the tenderloin – Soaking in a simple saltwater brine before baking helps keep the meat moist and well-seasoned. Dissolve 1/2 cup salt in 4 cups water and soak 30 min to 8 hours.
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Use a meat thermometer – This guarantees the tenderloin bakes long enough to reach 165°F. Insert into the thickest part without hitting bone.
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Let it rest 5-10 minutes – Allowing the cooked tenderloin to rest allows juices to reabsorb back into the meat.
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Sear before baking – Browning the tenderloin in a hot skillet before baking boosts flavor.
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Season generously – Coat with olive oil and use herbs like rosemary, garlic, citrus zest or spices.
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Roast on a rack – Elevate tenderloin on a rack over a baking sheet for air circulation.
Step-by-Step Guide for Baked Turkey Tenderloin
Follow these simple steps for juicy turkey tenderloin baked at 350°F:
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Prep the tenderloin – Rinse, pat very dry and trim off excess fat or silver skin. If brining, soak 30 min to 8 hours then rinse and pat dry.
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Preheat oven to 350°F – Allow plenty of time for oven to fully preheat before baking.
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Generously season – Coat all over with olive oil, melted butter or oil. Rub in desired herbs, spices, salt and pepper.
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Sear (optional) – For added flavor, quickly sear seasoned tenderloin 1-2 min per side.
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Roast on a rack – Place seasoned tenderloin on a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet.
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Bake 30-55 minutes – Bake until instant read thermometer inserted in thickest part reads 165°F. Time varies by weight.
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Let rest 5-10 minutes – Remove from oven, tent loosely with foil and allow to rest before slicing.
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Slice and serve – Cut rested tenderloin into medallions. Enjoy!
Baking turkey tenderloins in the oven at 350°F consistently produces moist, deliciously cooked meat when the right steps are followed. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to accurately determine when the poultry has reached a safe 165°F. Letting it rest after cooking is also key for tender results. Incorporate flavors with aromatic herbs, spices or compounds butters. Follow these tips and you’ll be rewarded with tender, juicy turkey tenderloin every time.
How to know if the meat is cooked through
To be sure that the meat is cooked through, check its internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat.
Not having a thermometer? Get one, it’s very cheap and useful for many dishes! If not, cut the meat in half across the thickest part; it should be white and the juices should run clear.
What temp should turkey tenderloin be cooked to? The temperature should be 165°F/74°C. I’m baking my meat to 158°F/70°C and after the resting time, it should come to the safe temperature of 165°F/74°C.
I like to use a grill thermometer with a probe attached to a long cable for this. You can stick the probe into the meat before baking it and then put the meat in the oven with the probe inside. The thermometer on the outside (a thin cable goes through the closed oven door) will show you live the temperature inside the meat, so you know when to take it out of the oven!
Please bear in mind, that the baking time may vary depending on the oven!
How to cook turkey tenderloin step by step
STEP 1: Heat the oven to 350°F/175°C/Gas Mark 4. If you have a convection oven, lower the temperature by about 20° or follow the directions on the oven’s box.
Get out a baking dish that’s just a bit bigger than the piece of meat you want to cook. This way, the butter won’t burn on the bottom, and after baking, you can use a spoon to make a sauce that you can pour over the turkey.
STEP 2: Make herb garlic orange butter. Add chopped herbs, orange zest, and pressed garlic cloves to the butter and mix them together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Third, put the butter on the turkey tenderloin. First, pour the lemon juice all over the turkey tenderloin and season it with salt and pepper on both sides. Then, put the butter on top of the meat. The butter won’t stick very well to the meat because of the lemon juice, but don’t worry about that. Just spread it as evenly as you can on all sides.
If you have time, leave the meat to marinate for 1 hour (or longer, overnight). Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you plan on baking it.
STEP 4: Bake for 37 to 42 minutes, depending on the size of the meat (16 minutes for a 15-ounce (425-gram) tenderloin vs. 37 minutes for a 12-ounce (350-gram) tenderloin).
Let it rest for 10 minutes then cut into slices and serve. Pour the aromatic butter from the baking dish over the meat.
How to Cook Turkey Tenderloins
FAQ
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