Want to make turkey tips? Need a great marinade recipe? We have an easy guide for both.
Turkey tips, also called turkey tenders, are select chunks of white meat that are cut from the breast of the turkey. They’re smaller, so they cook a lot faster and hold a lot more marinade for excellent flavor.
Turkey tips, like steak tips, are often menu staples in bars and pubs, as they are easy to prepare and offer a wider variety on a menu. They’re much quicker to cook than a roasted turkey breast.
The ease of preparation, as well as the variety of cooking methods and marinades, make turkey tips desirable for people looking to explore new foods without a huge investment of time or money. The fact that they are white meat (rather than dark meat) and therefore low fat means they fit into many diets.
You may also have heard of turkey rib tips, which are really turkey shoulder tips. This piece of meat is tender and moist, and is reminiscent of a pork rib. These are less common than turkey tips, but still delicious and worth trying! You can prepare rib tips in the same way.
Marinated turkey tips are a delicious and healthy lean protein option that can be prepared in a variety of quick and easy ways. When cooked properly the tender turkey absorbs the bold flavors of the marinade while remaining incredibly moist and juicy. This comprehensive guide will teach you insider tips for cooking marinated turkey tips to perfection every time.
Selecting High-Quality Turkey Tips
The first key step is choosing fresh high-quality turkey tips also called turkey tenderloins. Look for pieces that are roughly 2 inches long and 1 inch wide so they will cook evenly. Uniform sizing is important. Rinse the turkey tips under cool water and pat completely dry with paper towels before marinating. This helps the marinade better stick to the turkey.
Creating a Flavor-Packed Marinade
A tasty marinade is essential for infusing the turkey tips with delicious flavor Some popular marinade ideas include
- Soy sauce or coconut aminos + brown sugar + garlic + herbs
- Italian dressing + garlic
- Honey mustard + olive oil + rosemary
Whisk the ingredients together until well blended. Add the turkey tips and toss to coat completely. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavor infusion.
Grilling for Smoky, Charred Bits
Grilling is a fantastic cooking method that gives marinated turkey tips a lovely char while locking in moisture. Preheat your grill to medium heat and brush the grates clean. Grill the tips for 7-8 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through to 165°F internal temperature. Use tongs to flip to avoid piercing. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
Grilling Tips:
- Use a digital thermometer for accuracy
- Place tips on a grilling tray to prevent sticking
- Keep grill lid closed as much as possible
- Grill over indirect heat if tips start to burn
Baking for Moist, Tender Results
Baking in the oven is a simple, foolproof way to cook marinated turkey tips, as the even heat helps retain moisture beautifully. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or use a roasting pan. Arrange tips in a single layer without crowding. Bake 15-20 minutes until browned and 165°F internal temperature. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
Baking Tips:
- Monitor doneness with a meat thermometer
- Reduce temp to 375°F if tips brown too quickly
- Lightly tent foil over pan if tops get overdone
Sautéing on the Stovetop
For quick weeknight meals, sautéing marinated turkey tips on the stovetop is very fast and convenient. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook tips in a single layer for 5-7 minutes per side until nicely browned and 165°F internal temperature. Allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Sauté Tips:
- Use tongs instead of a fork to avoid losing juices
- Work in batches to prevent crowding the pan
- Add extra marinade to pan juices for a sauce
Air Frying for Crisp, Crunchy Bits
An air fryer makes fabulously crispy turkey tips with minimal oil needed. Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Cook tips 6 minutes, flip and cook 6 more minutes. Check temperature, cooking longer if required. Allow to rest before serving.
Air Frying Tips:
- Lightly spray basket with oil for crispiness
- Don’t overfill basket. Work in batches.
- Mix up tips halfway through cooking
- Add 1 minute for extra crisp tips
Complementary Side Dishes
There are many tasty sides that pair beautifully with juicy, flavorful marinated turkey tips:
- Rice or quinoa to soak up delicious pan juices
- Roasted veggies like onions, bell peppers, zucchini
- Fresh salad greens like spinach, kale, mixed greens
- Roasted potatoes seasoned with garlic, rosemary
A simple side salad or roasted vegetables make easy complements to marinated turkey tips.
Following Proper Safety Methods
Properly handling and cooking marinated turkey tips helps ensure food safety:
- Always thaw turkey tips in the refrigerator before marinating.
- Marinate in the refrigerator only, for no more than 24 hours.
- Discard used marinade instead of basting to avoid bacteria.
- Wash hands, utensils, cutting boards before and after use.
- Use a food thermometer to guarantee safe 165°F internal temperature.
Achieving Juicy, Flavorful Results
With so many fast and simple cooking techniques, marinated turkey tips can be a delicious addition to your dinner table any night of the week. Whether you opt for grilling, baking, sautéing or air frying, following these helpful tips will result in tender, juicy, flavorful turkey tips cooked to perfection. Get creative with different marinades and cooking methods to discover new favorite ways to enjoy this lean, protein-packed meat.
Marinated Turkey Tips Recipe
Marinating your turkey tips is arguably the best way to add a lot of flavor and moisture for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried sage
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 cloves minced garlic (or garlic powder, if needed)
- Whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, mustard, sugar, onion powder, paprika, thyme, sage, pepper, and garlic in a large bowl. Reserve and set aside 3 tbsp of the marinade.
- Pour the cup of marinade into a plastic bag or shallow bowl with a tight-fitting lid. Submerge the turkey tips in the marinade. Cover or seal and marinate for 2-4 hours in the fridge.
- Approximately 15 minutes before you are ready to roast your turkey, preheat to an oven temperature of 350 degrees F.
- Transfer the turkey tips to a baking dish or roasting pan (make sure it is oven safe) and discard the marinade in the bag.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes or until a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast is 155° with a food thermometer.
- Tent the top of the dish with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes, until the center reaches 165°F (the safe minimum internal temperature).
- Drizzle with the remaining marinade you set aside before serving.
Taking the meat’s temperature may seem unnecessary if it’s reached a nice golden brown color, but undercooked meats pose a serious risk of foodborne illness, so don’t skip this step!
How Long Do Turkey Tips Last in the Fridge?
Uncooked, raw turkey is good for 1-2 days in the fridge once thawed. Cooked turkey lasts in the fridge for 3-4 days after preparation and is safe to consume if:
- It was placed in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking;
- It has remained cooled once stored;
- It does not look, smell, or taste bad.
When in doubt, toss it out! It is not worth the risk of serious illness to eat turkey or any poultry or meat that you question.
If you’re not sure if you will eat the turkey in the safe window, you can always freeze it.
Check out our guide to fridge shelf life.
Lay the turkey tips breast meat flat in a freezer bag and seal well, removing as much air as possible. You can also choose to vacuum seal your turkey tips for freezing.
Frozen turkey meat can last up to 4 months in a freezer bag or 6-12 months if sealed in a vacuum sealer, and thaw in the fridge before heating or reheating.
Thanksgiving Turkey Tips | Turkey Dos and Don’ts
FAQ
How long do you cook turkey tips?
Coat an oven safe pan with cooking spray. Place turkey tenders in prepared pan and bake for 22-26 minutes. Cook until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the tender reaches a temperature of 165°F. Remove meat from pan, cover and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How to cook marinated steak tips in the oven?
- Marinate: Marinate your steak tips according to your preferred recipe, ensuring they are well coated.
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Pat dry: Remove the steak tips from the marinade and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess liquid.
- Optional searing: For extra browning, you can sear the steak tips in a hot skillet with a little oil before transferring them to the oven.
- Bake: Place the marinated steak tips on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven until they reach your desired doneness.
- Rest: Let the cooked steak tips rest for a few minutes before serving.
How to cook marinated meat in the oven?
- Preheat the oven to 425°F
- Remove the steak from the marinade and pat it dry to remove any excess sauce.
- Place it on a baking sheet or roast pan.
- A medium-rare steak should cook for 12-15 minutes and reach an internal temperature of 135°F.
How long to cook turkey tips in the oven at 375 degrees?
You can estimate your cooking time at approximately 10 minutes per pound when cooked at 375 degrees F.Nov 22, 2020
How to marinate Turkey tips?
Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. In a large bowl, combine the turkey tips, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. 3. Toss to coat the turkey tips in the marinade. 4. Spread the turkey tips in a single layer on a baking sheet. 5.
How long do you marinate a Turkey Tenderloin before grilling?
Cut the turkey tenderloin into 1-2 inch tips. The smaller the tips are the faster they will grill and the more flavor the marinade will give them. Place the tips and ½ of the steakhouse marinade recipe in a ziplock bag and marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to 8 hours. Bring the tips to room temperature 30 minutes before grilling.
How do you marinate a thawed Turkey?
How do you make turkey marinade? Whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, orange juice, fresh herbs, garlic and seasonings. Pour the mixture over a thawed turkey. Let the turkey sit in the marinade until you’re ready to cook it. Remove the turkey from the marinade, cook as desired, then slice and serve.
Can You marinate a frozen turkey?
Frozen turkey should be completely thawed before marinating. You can also use this marinade on whole chicken or chicken pieces. Make A Turkey Injection Marinade – A turkey injection marinade is injected into the thickest part of the meat and below the skin using a special marinade syringe.
Can you smoke a marinated Turkey?
You can roast, smoke or grill your marinated turkey. However you choose to cook it, just be sure to use a thermometer so that you can gauge when the turkey is cooked through and ready to eat. A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast or thigh should register 165 degrees F.
Can you cook a marinated Turkey in the fridge?
Store it in the fridge until you’re ready to coat your turkey. You can roast, smoke or grill your marinated turkey. However you choose to cook it, just be sure to use a thermometer so that you can gauge when the turkey is cooked through and ready to eat.