A roasted turkey tenderloin recipe is so easy to cook. No fuss, no muss, and no waste. Full of flavor, moist and tender, this part of the turkey has become my fave!
I figured since I gave you a great turkey rub, I thought I should give you a super easy roasted turkey tenderloin recipe.
This year the kids won’t be home. Yes, we were all together for the wedding but I do love Thanksgiving and will miss a full table.
Turkey breast tenderloins are a great option when a full sized whole turkey is just too much.
Turkey breast is another option, but if you haven’t tried this skinless part of the turkey breast you are missing out.
Very similar to pork tenderloin as far as cooking methods, the turkey tenderloin is the strip of meat found between the the top of the turkey breasts.
My grocer had Jenny-O turkey tenderloins for about $8/pound and since there is no waste so I didn’t think the price per pound was too bad. After all, Boars Head deli turkey is more than that.
Another great benefit of this turkey recipe is that the turkey is easily sliced on the bias into thin slices, making leftovers perfect for sandwiches.
It’s simple to roast turkey tenderloins and guess what, it begins with the simple turkey dry rub I posted yesterday.
Turkey tenderloin is a lean, tender cut of meat that can be cooked quickly and easily right on your stovetop. With just a skillet and a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious and healthy turkey dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
Benefits of Cooking Turkey Tenderloin on the Stove
There are several advantages to cooking turkey tenderloin on the stove rather than oven roasting:
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Quick cooking time – Turkey tenderloin cooks fast on the stovetop, usually in 15-20 minutes. No need to wait for the oven to preheat.
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Easy to monitor – Stovetop cooking allows you to watch the meat closely and easily control the temperature and cook time for perfect results.
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Adds flavor – Searing the tenderloin on the stove creates delicious browning that adds tons of flavor
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Retains moisture – The quick cook time prevents the lean turkey from drying out
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Less cleanup – With only one pan to wash, stovetop cooking means minimal cleanup.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for foolproof turkey tenderloin cooked on the stovetop:
Ingredients
- 1 pound turkey tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary (optional)
Directions
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Pat the turkey dry – Blot the tenderloin with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This helps ensure proper browning.
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Season the turkey – Generously season both sides of the tenderloin with salt and pepper. For extra flavor, you can also rub on some fresh thyme, rosemary, sage or other herbs.
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Heat oil in a skillet – Add the olive oil to a large nonstick skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering.
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Sear the turkey – Add the seasoned tenderloin to the hot skillet Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown
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Cook through – Reduce heat to medium, cover skillet and cook for 12-15 minutes more, flipping halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Rest and slice – Transfer turkey to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into medallions.
That’s all there is to it! For even more flavor, try one of these easy seasoning variations:
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Lemon-Herb – Rub tenderloin with zest of 1 lemon plus 1 tsp each dried thyme and rosemary.
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Southwestern – Coat with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder and 1 minced garlic clove.
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Asian Ginger – Marinate tenderloin in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp grated ginger for 30 min.
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Mediterranean – Brush with a mixture of 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 minced shallot, 1 tsp dried oregano before cooking.
Helpful Tips for Stovetop Turkey Success
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For maximum browning, make sure your skillet is very hot before adding the turkey.
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Use tongs to flip the tenderloin rather than a fork which can pierce the meat, causing juices to escape.
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Turkey breast tenderloin cooks slightly faster than turkey tenderloin since it’s thinner. Adjust cook time accordingly.
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Add a tablespoon of butter to the pan for extra moisture and flavor. Baste the turkey as it cooks.
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Cook an even number of smaller tenderloins rather than one large one so they fit better in the skillet.
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Let the cooked tenderloin rest at least 5 minutes before slicing for the juiciest results.
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For easy cleanup, deglaze the pan with chicken broth or wine to make an easy sauce.
Favorite Side Dishes
Turkey tenderloin is very versatile and pairs nicely with a wide variety of side dishes:
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Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, squash or asparagus
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Sauteed greens like spinach, kale or Swiss chard
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Pilaf, risotto or quinoa
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Loaded baked potatoes or sweet potatoes
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Fresh salad with vinaigrette dressing
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Sauteed mushrooms or cremini caps
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Couscous, bulgur or farro salad
For a complete meal, combine a lean protein, healthy complex carb and vegetables on the side. Get creative with seasonings, herbs and ingredients like nuts, seeds, citrus and pomegranate.
Cooking turkey tenderloin on the stovetop is a fast, simple and delicious way to put a healthy dinner on the table any night of the week. With just a bit of prep, one skillet and less than 30 minutes, you can enjoy incredibly moist, flavorful turkey easily. Vary the seasonings and pair it with your favorite veggies or grains for a well-rounded meal. Give this easy stovetop method a try tonight!
How to Make This Roasted Turkey Tenderloin Recipe:
I rubbed my three tenderloins with smoked olive oil from Trader Joe’s and then rolled them in the seasoning mixture.
If you don’t want to make the rub, just liberally coat the tenderloins with coarse salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried herbs and whatever else you like.
You could just use poultry seasoning or Italian seasoning and some salt and pepper if that’s easier for you.
Remembering to do this the night before gives the meat more flavor and after all, the outside of the meat is the best part.
Heat an ovenproof skillet on the stove on medium-high heat and add some more olive oil. Just a tablespoon or so.
Preheat your oven to 325. Now place tenderloins into the skillet and brown about two minutes on each side or until golden.
Place skillet into oven and roast for about 15 minutes then add 1/4 c of chicken broth or chicken stock to the skillet and stir up all the brown bits.
Yes, you are deglazing your pan. The liquid also helps keep the lean meat from drying out.
Brush the sides of the tenderloins with the juice at the bottom of the skillet and place turkey loin back in oven.
Roast for 5 more minutes and brush with the sage butter.
Bake 5 minutes more or until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees.
This simple method is the beginning of many delicious recipes.
I can’t wait to come up with a skillet dinner by adding some vegetables that can be roasted at the same time.
Imagine throwing in some sweet potatoes and shoot you aren’t far from Thanksgiving dinner!
While your turkey cooks throw together a salad or even some Pepperidge Farm stuffing.
Shoot, this baked, roasted turkey breast tenderloins recipe is made for special occasions.
(Dare you to say that ten times!)
Honestly though, I’ve never really made a roasted turkey tenderloins recipe.
Truthfully? This small piece of meat had tons of flavor. So much so that you can bet it will be on my dinner table again soon.
An easy meal for company too, as there is very little hands on time.
You could even get this browned and then set them aside until ready to place in the oven before company comes.
Just make sure to heat it back up slowly before placing in oven so as not to overcook it.
Yep, it’s turkey season and this year I tried something new.
I did just order a turkey – and though we don’t know where we’ll be or who might join us for dinner, I did want Manservant to feel useful. (He does smoke one every year!)
Had I known about this simple method for this roasted turkey tenderloin recipe sooner, I might have skipped the smoke seeping in my patio doors this holiday season!
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P.S. I used Trader Joe’s smoked olive oil in this recipe. Apparently they don’t make it anymore so next time I will try this.
This post contains affiliate links for which I may or may not be paid a small commission at no cost to you.
How to Cook Turkey Tenderloins
FAQ
How do you know when turkey tenderloin is cooked?
Turkey tenderloin takes around 35-40 minutes at 400ºF to reach a safe-to-eat, internal temperature of 165ºF.
How long to cook turkey meat on stove?
Things You’ll Need
He recommends you start with a pound of ground turkey and cook it on the stovetop with chopped yellow onions and red, yellow and green peppers. As for how long to cook ground turkey on the stove, you’ll want to do it for about 13 to 18 minutes.
What seasoning to put on turkey tenderloin?
Prepare the turkey tenderloin rub: In a small bowl, mix the sage, thyme, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.Nov 8, 2022
How do you cook a Turkey Tenderloin in a pan?
Sear the turkey breast fillet: Place turkey tenderloins in the heated skillet and cook for 1 minute on each side until the meat lightly browns. Bake the pan-seared turkey tenderloin: Place the skillet in the oven. Roast until the internal temperature of turkey tenderloin registers 155 degrees F. (about 15 minutes).
How long do you cook a Turkey Tenderloin in the oven?
Sear the turkey tenderloins on each side for a minute or two to lock in the moisture. Bake the tenderloins in the oven, uncovered, for about 25 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 °F. Use a meat thermometer for the best result.
How do you cook a Turkey Tenderloin in a cast iron skillet?
Heat the oil: Add the remaining olive oil to a large stainless steel skillet or cast iron skillet and turn the stove on high. Heat the oil until it turns shimmering hot. Sear the turkey breast fillet: Place turkey tenderloins in the heated skillet and cook for 1 minute on each side until the meat lightly browns.
Should you cook a Turkey Tenderloin at 350 degrees?
Here are some key benefits to baking turkey tenderloin at 350°F: Cooks the tenderloin evenly throughout. Produces tender, juicy meat when cooked properly. Allows you to get a browned,crispy exterior from searing. Doesn’t require special equipment – just a standard oven. Lets you cook the turkey in under 30 minutes for a quick dinner.
How to cook Turkey Tenderloin without drying out?
My 2-part method—part stovetop and part oven—is the best way to cook turkey tenderloin without drying out the meat. Prepare the turkey tenderloin rub: In a small bowl, mix the sage, thyme, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Set the seasoning aside.
How long does Turkey Tenderloin last after cooking?
Stored properly in the fridge, leftover turkey tenderloin will keep for 3-4 days after cooking. Reheat gently before serving. Turkey tenderloin cooked perfectly at 350°F makes for a quick, impressive dinner. Serve it with flavorful sides like roasted veggies, potatoes, rice, or salad. Some tasty dinner ideas include: