Quick Look: The Best Turkey Tenderloin Recipe
- Marinate Time: at least 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F
- Ready In: about 1 hour and 15 minutes (including a 10 minute rest)
- Serves: 8 smaller servings
- Main Ingredients: turkey tenderloins, olive oil, butter, citrus herb marinade, homemade turkey seasoning
- Dietary Info: dairy-free friendly, gluten-free friendly
- Best For: small Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, or family dinner
- Origin: There have been years when we have a large crowd on Thanksgiving Day and make a traditional herb butter turkey. But sometimes it is a much smaller crowd, so I decided to try out a turkey tenderloin. I paired it with the best turkey marinade, plus our turkey seasoning rub and the result was one of the best turkey dinners I have ever tasted!
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Why It’s Time To Try A Juicy Turkey Tenderloin
- Marinade + Dry Rub: Combining a marinade plus a seasoning is a great way to achieve the most flavor. Plus, the citrus ingredients in the marinade bring the best light & bright flavors to the turkey (like in our orange turkey).
- Sear: Just a quick sear on the stove top gives the outside of the tenderloin a golden brown color and adds to the amazing flavor.
- Roasting + Resting: Finish cooking in the oven to keep the inside juicy and don’t skip the resting period, it is essential for the juices to redistribute!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- Turkey Tenderloins – these can be found at the grocery store and are sometimes labeled turkey breast tenderloins. Be sure to fully thaw before cooking.
- Olive Oil + Butter – both can be substituted for ghee, if needed or preferred.
- Turkey Marinade + Seasoning – highly recommend using our turkey marinade recipe and Thanksgiving turkey seasoning for the most amazing flavor combination!
- Soy Sauce – option to use coconut aminos or tamari to make the marinade gluten-free.
How To Make Oven Roasted Turkey Tenderloin
Step 1 – Put all of the turkey marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix.
Step 2 – Marinate the turkey tenderloins in a baking dish or storage bag for 30-60 minutes.
Step 3 – While the turkey marinates, mix up the seasoning rub.
Step 4 – Remove the tenderloins from the marinade and cover with the seasoning mixture on all sides.
Step 5 – Sear the tenderloins on all sides in a cast iron skillet and then move to the oven.
Step 6 – Bake until their internal temperature reaches 165°F (use a meat thermometer). Baste with melted butter.
Don’t Skip The Sear!
Searing the turkey tenderloins in a hot skillet creates a beautiful golden-brown crust and adds so much flavor before they finish cooking in the oven. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference in the finished recipe!
Step 7 – Let rest for 10 minutes, slice, and serve!
Erin’s Testing Tips: What We Learned
- Seasoning + Marinade: our simple marinade for turkey tenderloin brings delicious herb flavors with notes of citrus and results in the most juicy, tender meat. During testing, we also added an herby turkey seasoning which adheres really well to the marinated turkey. The perfect combination!
- Golden Brown – searing the tenderloins in olive oil or ghee for a few minutes results in a beautiful golden brown outside, which only adds to the flavor.
- Meat Thermometer – an instant-read thermometer is a MUST when cooking any cut of meat. They all have a different thickness and this simple tool will tell you when it is fully cooked to the perfect temp.
What Sides To Serve With Turkey Tenderloin
Those classic turkey flavors always give us Thanksgiving Day vibes, so we love to serve this juicy tenderloin alongside our ultimate yukon gold mashed potatoes, green bean almondine, stovetop stuffing, gluten-free cornbread muffins, and an easy pumpkin pie for dessert! It is also a great option if you are hosting a small crowd at your holiday table.
Turkey Tenderloin FAQs
Simply continue baking them in the oven until the internal temperature at the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F (use a meat thermometer).
Yes, this simple turkey tenderloin recipe can easily be doubled if you have a few more people coming to dinner. Simply click the 2x square in the recipe card below.
Technically, yes, you can skip the sear and just bake turkey tenderloin. However, the sear gives the outside a nice golden brown color and adds to the amazing flavor.
Once fully cooked, it should rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to redistribute the juices.
Other Unique Turkey Recipes You Might Like
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Equipment
Ingredients
Turkey Marinade:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, sub coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Turkey Tenderloin Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Turkey Tenderloins:
- 2 pounds turkey tenderloins, thawed (sub turkey breast tenderloins)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, sub ghee
- 2-3 tablespoons butter, melted (sub ghee or plant-based butter)
Instructions
- Prep Turkey + Oven: Ensure 2 pounds turkey tenderloins are fully thawed, if previously frozen. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Marinade: In a small bowl, add ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 1 teaspoon garlic, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon dried sage, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix to combine. Place turkey tenderloins in a deep baking dish or silicone bag. Pour marinade over top and ensure turkey is fully coated. Place in refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. Remove from marinade (don't shake off extra) and place on a plate.
- Turkey Seasoning: In a separate bowl, add 1 tablespoon dried sage, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; mix to combine. Rub the seasoning on all sides of the marinated turkey tenderloins.
- Sear: Bring a large cast iron skillet to a medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add the turkey tenderloins and sear on all sides (about 1-2 minutes per side).
- Bake: Move the whole skillet with the turkey to the preheated oven, middle rack and leave uncovered. Let cook for 20-30 minutes or until the thickest part of the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165℉ (use a meat thermometer). Baste once or twice while baking with some of the melted butter. Continuing basting with the pan juices after all of the butter has been added.
- Rest + Serve: Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes. Slice and serve!
Notes
- Dairy Free: simply use a plant-based butter.
- Gluten Free: substitute the soy sauce in the marinade with coconut aminos or tamari.
- Leftovers: store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheat later in the microwave or 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!