Turkey Tenderloin Recipe is juicy, delicious and deserves a spot on your Thanksgiving menu! We have a marinade + seasoning for you that come together to create the most amazingly flavorful turkey tenderloin! This is a great recipe for a special occasion when you don’t feel like making a whole turkey but still want a delicious turkey dinner!
Easy Turkey Tenderloin Recipe
We have gone all out creating this juicy, tender and flavorful recipe and we just know you are going to LOVE IT! Don’t skip that marinade or seasoning … they belong together! There is something special about a tenderloin (this pork tenderloin recipe is insane too) and this might be our favorite of all-time! Serve with some of our favorite sides like Garlic Green Beans and Ultimate Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes – perfect for a smaller Thanksgiving meal!
Why This Recipe Works
- Marinade + Dry Rub: this combo just takes things to the next level!
- Searing: I love the idea of searing this on all sides to make the outside a little charred!
- Roasting + Resting: then we roast it for a while to finish cooking so they inside stays juicy – don’t skip the resting period, it is essential for the juices to redistribute!
What You Will Need
- 1 batch Turkey Marinade: it is fully of citrus and so many other amazing flavors and spices! Sage, thyme, kosher salt, ground black pepper, rosemary, garlic powder and onion powder come together to make a classic turkey rub.
- 1 batch Turkey Seasoning: some of your classic turkey flavors like sage!
- turkey tenderloins (or turkey breast tenderloins): use around 3/4-1 pound sized tenderloins – usually they come 2 in a package, but use whatever you can find.
- olive oil: we use this to coat the pan before searing the tenderloin.
- butter or ghee: this is used to baste the tenderloin while it is roasting in the oven.
Turkey Tenderloin Marinade
Tenderloins are the perfect piece of turkey to marinade (this Roasted Turkey Breast would be great too) because they are so small! Here is our Best Turkey Marinade and you are going to LOVE it in this recipe!
Turkey Tenderloin Seasoning
We didn’t think a marinade was enough so we added in a turkey seasoning as well! Made with classic flavors that pair perfectly with the marinade. Double deliciousness!
Turkey Tenderloin Side Dishes
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Dairy-Free Green Bean Almondine
- Orange Cranberry Sauce
- Gluten-Free Cornbread Muffins
- Classic Giblet Stuffing
- Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie
How to Cook Turkey Tenderloin
Feel free to use turkey tenderloin or turkey breast tenderloin – either will work here.
Pat dry with clean paper towel.
Combine your marinade ingredients and pour over tenderloin; let marinate about 30-60 minutes.
Remove from marinade and set on plate.
Cover in seasoning.
Sear on all sides in a cast iron skillet.
Recipe FAQ
- Turkey Tenderloins: as long as they are approx. 1 lb each you will be fine! The ones shown are closer to 3/4 lb.
- Leftovers: store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use some to make leftover turkey salad!
Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
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Other Recipes You Might Like
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Smoked Turkey Breast
How to Deep Fry a Turkey
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Turkey Tenderloin
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Marinate Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Stove Top + Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Turkey Tenderloin (+ marinade) – an insanely juicy and flavorful turkey tenderloin recipe (or turkey breast tenderloin)- so delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 batch Turkey Marinade
- 1 batch Turkey Seasoning
- (2) 1lb turkey tenderloins (or turkey breast tenderloins)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or ghee)
- 2–3 tablespoons butter or ghee, melted
Instructions
- Combine your Turkey Marinade ingredients. Place turkey tenderloins in a small pan or silicone bag. Pour marinade over top and ensure turkey is fully coated. Place in refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. Meanwhile, combine your Turkey Seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.
- Remove from marinade (don’t shake off extra) and place on a plate. Cover in Turkey Seasoning mixture and rub all over ensuring it covers every part of the turkey.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bring a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add olive oil or ghee and swirl to coat the pan. Add turkey tenderloin and sear on all sides (about 1-2 minutes per side).
- Turn off stove and carefully move skillet to oven, middle rack and uncovered.
- Let cook 20-30 minutes or until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. at it’s thickest part using an internal meat thermometer. Baste once or twice during cooking with melted butter or ghee. Once you use up the melted butter, you can baste with the pan juices (there won’t be a ton, but there should be enough to baste with a brush).
- Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes. Slice and serve!
Notes
- Turkey Tenderloins: as long as they are approx. 1 lb each you will be fine! The ones shown are closer to 3/4 lb.
- Leftovers: store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use some to make leftover turkey salad!
Laura says
Love a quick and flavorful marinade for when short on time. It was delicious and flavorful!
Erin says
Thanks, Laura! Thank you for coming back to leave a review!
Barb says
This is THE BEST recipe. Followed it exactly as is and nope….don’t need to change one thing! Made it for a low key Thanksgiving dinner today. My husband and I LOVED it! Spices are spot on!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Barb! And thank you for coming back to leave a review and rating – I so appreciate it!
Ruth W. Thomas says
This recipe is truly amazing. I tried it and it turned out very nice.
Brenda J Wasson says
The turkey tenderloin recipe using seasoning and marinade is the best I’ve ever had. So juicy and tender no drying out of meat. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing such a great meal
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed it, Brenda! Thanks for coming back to leave a review – I really appreciate it!