This is an easy recipe for tender, grilled turkey kabobs. Served over pasta, rice or your favorite salad, these healthy turkey skewers are a must-try this summer!
I don’t know about you but outdoor entertaining in summer is a must in our family.
When I visit my parents we also make Campfire Stew and grill sausages (and bacon) over campfire.
As you can see I cannot imagine summer without grilling or a campfire. What about you guys? Do you grill often? Do you go camping and cook over campfire? Let me know what your favorite food to make/eat is! Have you ever made grilled turkey kabobs?
As a backyard grilling enthusiast, I’m always looking for new and delicious recipes to try on my grill. Lately, I’ve become a huge fan of grilling turkey tips. Not only are they incredibly tasty and versatile, but turkey tips also cook up super fast compared to larger cuts of meat.
If you haven’t tried grilling turkey tenderloins yet, you’re missing out! These oval-shaped cuts come from the tender muscle that runs along the turkey breastbone. Turkey tips are very lean mild in flavor and extremely tender.
While turkey tips only need about 15-25 minutes on the grill getting the cook time just right is crucial. Undercook them and you risk foodborne illness. But let them go too long over direct heat and you’ll end up with dry, stringy meat.
So how long should you actually grill turkey tenderloins for perfect doneness? Here’s my guide to nailing the ideal grill times based on thickness and cooking preferences.
How Grill Time Depends on Thickness
The most important factor determining turkey tip grill times is the thickness of the cuts. Here are general guidelines:
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For 1-inch thick tips, grill for approximately 15-18 minutes total
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For 1 1⁄2-inch thick tips, allow 20-25 minutes of total grill time.
Thinner tenderloins under 1 inch may cook a little faster, while thicker tips over 1 1⁄2 inches will need a bit more time. Always use a meat thermometer to test doneness instead of relying solely on grill times.
A Two-Stage Grilling Method
The best way to grill turkey tenderloins is using a two-zone fire. Here are the basic steps:
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Sear the tips over direct high heat (450°F) for 5-7 minutes per side. This helps get nice grill marks and color on the meat.
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Move the partially cooked turkey tips to indirect heat to finish cooking until 165°F internal temperature. Keep the grill lid closed as much as possible.
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Flip the tips every 5 minutes or so while indirect grilling to prevent burning.
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Remove from grill immediately once the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How Long Per Side on Direct Heat
On direct high heat, grill turkey tips for:
- 5-6 minutes per side for 1-inch thick tenderloins
- 6-7 minutes per side for 1 1⁄2-inch thick tenderloins
Resist the urge to flip more than once during the direct heat stage. Flipping too often will prevent those nice char marks from developing.
Indirect Grilling Times
After searing both sides over direct heat, finish cooking the turkey tips on indirect heat until 165°F:
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Allow 4-6 minutes of indirect grilling for 1-inch thick tips.
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Cook 1 1⁄2-inch thick tenderloins over indirect heat for 6-8 minutes.
Use a digital instant-read thermometer to accurately determine when turkey tips are cooked through.
Signs Turkey Tips Are Fully Cooked
It can be tricky to judge doneness by eye. Here are signs turkey tenderloins are ready:
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Internal temperature reaches 165°F minimum
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Meat feels firm when pressed and springs back
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Juices run clear, not pink or red
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Light charring on the exterior
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No visible pink meat inside
Always double check with a thermometer for safety. Don’t rely solely on the look and feel.
Grilling Tips for Perfect Turkey Tips
Follow these tips for grilling moist, flavorful turkey tenderloins every time:
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Brine or marinate turkey in acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar which helps keep the lean meat juicy.
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Pat turkey dry before grilling to prevent steaming. Wet meat won’t brown well.
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Use medium-high heat on your grill. Too high can burn the exterior before the inside cooks through.
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Flip turkey only once during direct heat cooking for optimal sear marks.
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Let turkey rest at least 5 minutes before slicing to seal in the juices.
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Take care not to overcook or the breast meat can dry out quickly.
Safety Considerations
It’s important to follow food safety guidelines when grilling turkey:
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Always defrost turkey completely before grilling
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Preheat grill properly before cooking
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Use a food thermometer to ensure 165°F minimum internal temperature
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
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Don’t reuse marinades used on raw turkey
Allowing 15-25 minutes of total grill time based on thickness is ideal for cooking turkey tenderloins while keeping them incredibly moist and flavorful. Rely on an instant-read thermometer rather than just grill times to guarantee they reach a safe 165°F internal temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I grill turkey tenderloins if they are 2 inches thick?
For turkey tips that are 2 inches thick, allow about 30-35 minutes total grill time. Sear over direct high heat for 7-8 minutes per side, then finish cooking on indirect heat for 10-12 minutes until 165°F internal temperature.
Can you grill turkey tenderloins from frozen?
It’s not safe to grill turkey directly from frozen. Always fully thaw tenderloins in the refrigerator for 24-36 hours before grilling. The grill times in this article are for fully thawed turkey tips.
What is the minimum internal temperature for grilled turkey?
The USDA recommends cooking turkey to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer. This applies to all cuts of turkey, including tenderloins and ground turkey.
Should you flip turkey tenderloins more than once on the grill?
It’s best to flip turkey tips only once during direct heat grilling in order to get optimal grill marks. Flipping frequently can prevent browning. But do flip occasionally while indirect grilling to prevent burning.
How long can grilled turkey tips be left at room temperature?
For food safety, leftovers should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Refrigerate grilled turkey within 2 hours of cooking. Reheat fully to 165°F before eating.
Want to see how to make Grilled Turkey Kabobs? Watch the video!
How to make grilled turkey kabobs
Get a bowl or a Ziploc bag that is large enough to hold all the meat. Place the meat in and add the marinade. Mix well until every piece of meat is evenly coated with it.
When using a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap. When using Ziploc bag, just make sure it is sealed properly. The meat should be marinated for several hours. At least 2-3 hours is required. Marinating overnight is always a plus.
Thread the turkey pieces onto skewers altogether with pieces of bell pepper and onion and grill to perfection.
To achieve tender turkey skewers, make sure to marinade them long enough and do not overcook them.
Grilled turkey kabob marinade
The marinade is easy and does not require you to run to shop to get some extra spices or seasonings. It’s more likely that you will have all of them on hand.
Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, black pepper, ground cinnamon, paprika, dried oregano and salt is all you need for these grilled turkey kabobs.
Now if you are not really into marinating, check out this article that explains why marinating makes food taste better.
How long to grill turkey kabobs
The cooking time may vary. This will depend on your grill as well size of the meat. Turn the skewers a few times while grilling to achieve an even cooking.
In general, count with 10-15 minutes. Grill on a medium-high heat. When your grill is not hot enough, the turkey kabobs will dry out.
Tips for making grilled turkey kabobs
- Add some chili flakes to the marinade, if you prefer spicy dishes. Everyone prefers a different level of spiciness so add only as much as you and your guests are OK with.
- When you are not sure about the doneness, use a thermometer to check the inner temperature of the meat!
- You can increase the amount of peppers and onions, if preferred.
- I prefer using metal skewers rather than wooden ones. Wooden skewers tend to break easily (or at least the ones I get in our local supermarket). If you are used to using wooden ones and they work for you, then go ahead and use them to make these grilled turkey kabobs as well.