Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (2024)

01 hour 25 minutes

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4.94 from 64 votes

by Lisa Longley

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posted: 09/18/21

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by Lisa Longley

|

posted: 09/18/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Jump to Recipe

Turkey Tenderloin is a delicious and easy dinner idea. This perfect turkey breast tenderloin rests in the best marinade, and then bakes up for a simple, healthy, delicious dinner.

Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (2)
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!

I have such a delicious dinner recipe for you today that requires so little hands on time. Marinating meat and baking it before dinner may take a little bit of planning, but it is so worth it. With this Turkey Tenderloin recipe we are using a really simple marinade with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

What we are left with after baking is a melt in your mouth turkey tenderloin that is full of smokey flavor with the smallest hints of sweet and spice. This is a light and healthy low carb dinner that you will come back to over and over.

Reader Review

Another delicious recipe from you! We really enjoyed this and I was apprehensive of the marinade, but it was so good. Another one of your recipes I would recommend.

Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (3)

How to Cook Turkey Tenderloin

  1. Marinate the turkey tenderloin. The first step in this recipe is to whisk together a simple marinade. Let the turkey sit for 2 to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Bake the turkey. After marinating, the turkey is removed from the marinade. You then bake it in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes.
  3. Let the turkey rest. After roasting any meat, you should let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This prevents the juices from running out of the meat and leads to juicier cuts.
  4. Slice and enjoy.

Turkey Tenderloin Marinade

We tweaked and tested the marinade a few times until we were left with something we really fell in love with. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. For the full measurements, please scroll to the bottom of the post and find the printable recipe card.

  • apple cider vinegar
  • low sodium soy sauce
  • lime juice
  • garlic cloves
  • brown sugar
  • chipotle powder
  • dried onion flakes
  • chili powder
  • ground mustard
Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (4)

How Long to Marinate Turkey Tenderloin

A common misconception is that you can’t marinate meat for too long. Or that the longer you marinate the meat the better. This is actually not true. The acid that we use in a marinade, in this case the apple cider vinegar and the lime juice, are great because they break down the outside of the meat. This allows the rest of the flavors to penetrate the meat.

However, if you marinate meat for too long, the meat will break down too much. This will lead to meat that isn’t tender, but rather gummy. No one wants that. A good rule of thumb is to not marinate your meat for longer than 24 hours. Because the turkey tenderloin is already quite tender, you can get away with marinating this for 30 minutes.

How to Keep Turkey Moist

Besides a great marinade, the other key to keeping a turkey moist when cooking is to not over cook it. This recipe goes from underdone to done very quickly. In our oven, it reached 165 degrees at about 47 minutes.

I highly recommend investing in an instant read thermometer so that you can pull this out of the oven right when it hits 165 degrees. You can even it pull it out a minute or two before and it will continue cooking outside of the oven. Don’t be shy about testing the meat. At about 40 minutes take a read of it so you know how quickly it is cooking.

Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (5)

FAQ

What is a turkey tenderloin?

A turkey tenderloin comes from the breast of the turkey.

What temperature is turkey done at?

A turkey is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

What temperature should turkey tenderloin be cooked at?

This recipe should be roasted at 350 degrees for approximately 45 to 50 minutes.

What can I use instead of soy sauce?

If you are allergic to soy, you could replace it with Braggs Liquid Aminos or Coconut Aminos. If you are using Braggs, I recommend cutting the amount used as it is much more salty. Start with half and taste the marinade before adding the meat.

Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (6)

What to Serve with this Turkey Tenderloin Recipe

There are so many great side dishes to serve with this recipe. If you are specifically looking to keep this dinner low carb, I recommend the following sides:

  • Air Fryer Cauliflower
  • Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
  • Kale Salad

If you aren’t looking to keep things low carb, I would make these amazing Cheddar Bay Biscuits to go with this.

Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (7)

4.94 from 64 votes

Turkey Tenderloin

Serves: 4 servings

(tap # to scale)

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 45 minutes minutes

Total: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Turkey Tenderloin is a delicious and easy dinner idea. This perfect turkey breast tenderloin rests in the best marinade, and then bakes up for a simple, healthy, delicious dinner.

print pin it rate

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds turkey tenderloin

Turkey Tenderloin Marinade

  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons chipotle powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard

Instructions

  • Make the marinade by combinging all of the ingredients in a small bowl.

  • Put the turkey in a sealable container. Pour the marinade over the turkey tenderloin. Place the container in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Take the turkey out of the marinade and place in the baking dish, discarding the rest of the marinade.

  • Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes or until the turkey registers 165 degrees. We highly recommend checking the temperature at 40 minutes as this recipe can quickly go from undercooked to over done.

Calories: 197kcal (10%) Carbohydrates: 3g (1%) Protein: 43g (86%) Fat: 1g (2%) Cholesterol: 105mg (35%) Sodium: 420mg (18%) Potassium: 36mg (1%) Sugar: 1g (1%)

Author: Lisa Longley

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (8)

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Turkey Tenderloin

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Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (14)

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Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (15)

Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

    LEAVE A COMMENT

  1. Sue says

    Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (16)
    Made it, LOVEDIT! I did not have low sodium soy, so I cut back one TBSP. Then I had the dilemma of what to serve with it, hmmmm. Soy=Asian, chipotle=Mexican!!!??

    This was so delicious, I went Mexican, black beans, salad and cilantro rice with cojita cheese and cilantro. My husband really like the “drippings” from the marinade, I will reserve some next time!

    Thank you for this great recipe!

    One more thing, I was worried about marinating 24 hours, so i froze it after two hours and thawed 1/2 hour before cooking.

    Reply

    • Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (17)Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad that you liked it!

      Reply

  2. Savanna says

    Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (18)
    Our favorite easy go-to weeknight dinner recipe!! I make it just as you have it. Tender and juicy! I make with red roasted potatoes and a salad. Even my red meat-loving husband enjoys it!! YUM!!

    Reply

    • Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (19)Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad you liked it!

      Reply

  3. Kym says

    Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (20)
    Wow! I bought the Turkey Tenderloin because we had a very small gathering for Thanksgiving. I didn’t considering how I was going to cook it so turned to Pinterest and found your recipe. I’m so happy with the results. I had all the ingredients in my pantry and set it up early Thanksgiving morning. Your suggestions for limiting the marinade and cooking time was incredibly helpful. I learned so much from reading your blog. I am enjoying leftovers today and can’t get over the incredible flavor and tenderness. We won’t want until the holiday to try it again. Thank you. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (21)Lisa Longley says

      Kym, you absolutely made my day with this comment. Thank you! And I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

older comments

Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between turkey breast and turkey tenderloin? ›

The turkey tenderloin is a portion of the turkey breast and it is boneless and skinless. A turkey breast, on the other hand, is usually bone-in, skin-on. We have a great roasted turkey breast recipe if you're looking for one!

How to cook a Jennie O' turkey tenderloin in the oven? ›

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place tenderloins in a shallow baking pan. Bake until meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion of the meat reaches 165°F, approximately 60-70 minutes. Remove from oven, cover and let rest 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Is turkey breast tenderloin healthy? ›

But the turkey tenderloin — a thick strip of meat cut from between the bird's breasts — turns out to be a convenient, delicious and healthy alternative.

What temperature is smoked turkey tenderloin done? ›

Let the turkey smoke cook until it has reached 165°F in the thickest part. Remove the turkey from the heat and allow it to rest under a loose piece of foil for about 10 minutes. Slice and serve.

Is turkey tenderloin slightly pink? ›

Turkey, fresh pork, ground beef or veal can remain pink even after cooking to temperatures of 160°F. and higher. The meat of smoked turkey is always pink. To understand some of the causes of “pinking” or “pinkening” in fresh turkey, it is important to know first what gives meat its natural color.

What is the healthiest cut of turkey? ›

You might dig into the plentiful pile of turkey breast, which is typically considered the "healthier" choice.

How do you know when turkey tenderloin is done without a thermometer? ›

Another check is to run a long-tined fork into thick muscle; the meat should feel tender and the juice should show no pink tinge.

What temperature is Butterball turkey tenderloin done? ›

Check internal temperature with meat thermometer in thickest part of tenderloin. Cook to internal temperature of 165°F.

How many calories are in 1 turkey tenderloin? ›

Nutrition
Serving Size4 oz.
Calories120
Calories from Fat30
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3.5g5%
11 more rows

Is turkey breast better for you than chicken? ›

Both chicken and turkey provide healthy protein. Generally, chicken tends to be higher in vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid, and turkey tends to be lower in calories, fat, and sodium while having more zinc, niacin, and vitamin B12.

Is turkey tenderloin white meat? ›

Turkey tenderloin is a part of the turkey breast and is boneless and skinless. A turkey breast usually has a bone inside and skin on. Is turkey tenderloin white or dark meat? Turkey tenderloins are considered white meat and are extremely tender.

What is the internal temperature of a turkey tenderloin? ›

Ensure the internal temperature has reached 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer. When the turkey is done, it should have a golden brown surface.

What temp should tenderloin meat be? ›

Roast until a meat thermometer registers 130°F (about 25–30 minutes) for medium-rare doneness or 140°F for medium doneness (about 30–35 minutes). Remember, your roast will continue to warm after removing it from the oven. Transfer your roast to a carving board and tent loosely with aluminum foil.

Is a smoked turkey 165 or 180? ›

The Right Way to Take the Temperature of Your Turkey

The government recommends cooking turkey breast to 165°F (74°C). I prefer my turkey breast at 150°F (66°F), at which point it is far, far juicier (especially if you dry brine it!).

Which is better boneless turkey breast or bone in turkey breast? ›

Properly cooked bone-in and boneless breasts can be juicy and flavorful. However, bone-in turkey breasts have a slight advantage. The bone in the breast insulates the nearby meat during cooking, causing it to heat slower and retain moisture.

What is the best cut of turkey? ›

The boneless breast is the brick house of the bird providing a tender, juicy cut that can be sliced into any size or shape. If you're fancy, pound it thin and roll it up in a roulade.

What is the best part of the turkey meat? ›

1. The turkey breast. It is the best-selling and most prized cut of the whole animal; a lean, very tender meat, suitable for the preparation of thin slices, it can be cooked in cubes, strips and so on and so forth. Important thing; many people think that turkey breast and turkey rump are the same thing but they are not ...

What is the tenderest part of a turkey? ›

The tenderloin, a boneless, skinless portion of the turkey breast, is one of the most tender parts of a turkey. It's favored by turkey connoisseurs because it can be cooked in so many different ways. The tenderloin is a staple in a variety of cuisines, which is a testament to its versatility.

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