Oven Roasted Turkey Tenderloin
Updated Oct 06, 2025, Published Nov 07, 2023
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This oven roasted turkey tenderloin is incredibly flavorful and juicy! My fool-proof, easy recipe packs tons of flavor with the garlic and herb marinade, and is cooked to perfection in the oven.
This dinner recipe pairs beautifully with side dishes like green beans, honey glazed carrots, and mashed potatoes.
Quick Look at This Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes (including 30 minutes of marinating)
- Servings: 6-8 people
- Dietary Info: Gluten Free & Dairy Free
- Method: Oven Roasted
- Technique: Marinate the turkey, then sear and roast in the oven.
- Flavor & Texture: This roasted turkey tenderloin has a wonderfully garlicky and herby flavor from the marinade, crispy skin, and a juicy interior.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Get ready for a delicious turkey dinner! When you don’t have time or want the hassle of a whole turkey, oven roast this easy turkey tenderloin recipe instead. It’s a great option for a small group Thanksgiving dinner, a special occasion, any holiday meal, or an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love.
Looking for more easy Thanksgiving recipes? Try our delicious pork tenderloin, perfect roasted turkey, turkey meatballs, and turkey gravy recipe. If you want more ideas for sides, check out our Thanksgiving dishes to pair with this recipe!
Made With Amore,
“Made this for a Thanksgiving for two and it turned out great! Marinated overnight and it was so flavorful and moist. So low stress and effort for a day where the oven was working overtime. Thank you!”
– Alexa
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Roasted Turkey Tenderloin
This simple, oven roasted turkey tenderloin recipe requires only a few ingredients, and is much easier than making a whole Thanksgiving turkey! It’s a delicious recipe to make any time of the year.
- Turkey Tenderloin: This is a boneless cut of meat from the breast of the turkey. It’s lean, tender, and perfect for quick cooking methods! I recommend using two tenderloins that are about 1 to 1.5 pounds each.
- Lemon Juice: This adds a wonderful brightness to the marinade and helps tenderize the turkey.
- Honey: This counteracts the tartness of the lemon juice and brings a subtle sweetness. (My Dad also uses honey in his secret marinade for steak and fish!)
- Dried Spices: I like to use a mixture of rosemary, thyme, sage, paprika, salt, and pepper to season the marinade. (If you’re not using fresh garlic, use garlic powder as well.)
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Sweet and Savory: Enhance the flavor contrast by adding a touch of sweetness to the marinade. You can include a tablespoon of brown sugar or maple syrup to balance the savory herbs.
- Asian Fusion: Transform the marinade into an Asian-inspired delight by substituting soy sauce with teriyaki sauce or hoisin sauce. Add ginger and a sesame oil splash for an extra flavor layer.
- Yogurt Marinade: For a creamy twist, combine plain yogurt with the garlic and herb mixture. The yogurt will tenderize the tenderloin and create a luscious texture.
- Vinegar Substitute: If you’re out of lemon juice, balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used as a tangy substitute.
How to Oven Roast Turkey Tenderloin
Make this easy oven roasted turkey tenderloin recipe any night of the week! Or make it the star of the show for a smaller crowd Thanksgiving dinner. See the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for more instructions.
- Prepare the marinade. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, dried rosemary, dried thyme, dried sage, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the turkey. Place the tenderloins in a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the turkey, ensuring it is fully coated. Seal and refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results. Turn the tenderloin occasionally to distribute the marinade evenly.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet until it’s shimmering hot. Turn to coat the tenderloins in the marinade, then remove them from the marinade and sear them on all sides until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
- Place the skillet in the oven and roast for about 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches 160°F (it will rise another 5 degrees after resting for 10 minutes for a final temperature of 165°F). Baste the tenderloins with the leftover marinade during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 10 minutes. This redistributes the juices, resulting in a juicy and tender turkey. After resting, slice the turkey tenderloins against the grain into medallions.
- Serve the turkey tenderloin slices with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, red skin mashed potatoes, or classic Italian chopped salad. Enjoy your delicious and flavorful turkey tenderloin!
Recipe FAQs
For a 1 to 1.5-pound turkey tenderloin, oven roasting at 375°F (190°C) takes about 25-30 minutes. Grilling takes approximately 15-20 minutes over medium-high heat. Stovetop/pan-searing takes around 6-8 minutes per side over medium heat. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Turkey tenderloin and turkey breast are not the same, although they come from similar areas of the turkey. Turkey breast is the large, meaty portion that includes both the upper and lower parts of the breast.
Tenderloin, on the other hand, is a smaller, boneless piece of meat that’s located underneath the breast. It’s known for its tenderness and is ideal for quick cooking methods like grilling, roasting, or pan-searing.
Yes! You can prepare the tenderloin and marinade in the fridge overnight before baking the next day. Allow to come to room temperature for about 1 hour 30 minutes before cooking. This is a great make-ahead option, allowing the marinade to soak more into the meat and flavor it.
Try making this ahead with our Ciabatta Stuffing this holiday season!
Storage: After cooking, cool the turkey tenderloin, slice it, and place the slices in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: To freeze, let your meat cool completely. Then, transfer the tenderloin to a Ziploc bag and remove as much air as possible. Your turkey will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, and follow the instructions above for reheating.
Reheating: To reheat, preheat oven to 325°F (163°C), place slices on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and heat for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Serving Suggestions
This oven roasted turkey tenderloin tastes amazing with traditional Thanksgiving sides, like candied sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole. Other tasty side dishes that go perfectly with turkey tenderloin include vegetarian butternut squash casserole, Longhorn Steakhouse Brussels sprouts, homemade au gratin potatoes, and honey glazed carrots.
My Pro Tips
Expert Tips
- Marinate the turkey tenderloin to infuse flavor and moisture. Combine oil, herbs, and seasonings in advance for a more flavorful result.
- Aim for a uniform thickness in the tenderloin for even cooking. You can pound it slightly with a meat mallet if needed.
- Ensure your skillet is properly preheated before searing the tenderloin.
- Always use a meat thermometer to gauge doneness accurately. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- After roasting, let the turkey tenderloin rest for a few minutes. This allows juices to redistribute for a juicier result.
- When slicing, cut against the grain for optimal tenderness. This shortens the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender bite.
Other Turkey Recipes You’ll Love
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Roasted Turkey Tenderloin
Ingredients
For the Garlic Herb Marinade
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Turkey Tenderloin
- 2 turkey tenderloins, about 1 to 1½ pounds each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Marinating the Tenderloins
- Pat the turkey tenderloins dry with a paper towel on both sides.
- In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, dried rosemary, dried thyme, dried sage, paprika, salt, and pepper. This will be the garlic herb marinade.
- Place the tenderloins in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the turkey, ensuring that they are fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best results. Turn the tenderloins occasionally to distribute the marinade evenly.
Roasting the Tenderloins
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or oven-safe skillet until shimmering hot. Turn to coat the tenderloins in the marinade one last time. Remove the turkey tenderloins from the bag or bowl and add them to the hot skillet.
- Sear turkey tenderloins for 1 minute on all sides until lightly browned.
- Place the skillet in the oven and roast in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches 160°F (it will rise another 5 degrees after resting for 10 minutes for a final temperature of 165°F). Baste the tenderloins with the leftover marinade during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Once the turkey tenderloins are cooked, remove them from the oven with oven mitts and tent them loosely with aluminum foil. Let them rest for about 10 minutes. This redistributes the juices, resulting in juicy and tender turkey tenderloin. After resting, slice the turkey against the grain into medallions.
- Serve the oven-roasted turkey tenderloin slices with your favorite sides. Enjoy your delicious and flavorful oven-roasted turkey tenderloin!
Notes
- Marinate the turkey tenderloin to infuse flavor and moisture. Combine oil, herbs, and seasonings in advance for a more flavorful result.
- Aim for a uniform thickness in the tenderloin for even cooking. You can pound it slightly with a meat mallet if needed.
- Ensure your skillet is properly preheated before searing the tenderloin.
- Always use a meat thermometer to gauge doneness accurately. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- After cooking, let the turkey tenderloin rest for a few minutes. This allows juices to redistribute for a juicier result.
- When slicing, cut against the grain for optimal tenderness. This shortens the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender bite.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this for dinner tonight and it is wonderful! The house smells amazing. I stuck to the recipe. The only thing I had to do differently is cook it longer as we had a big pan of stuffing in the oven as well and I think that may have stole some of the heat. I had some mushrooms in the fridge that I threw in the pan along with some onion wedges and that marinade went really well with them as a sort of side to the turkey. I plan on keeping this recipe for those odd times of the year where I want something savory and delicious. Thank you for sharing.
You are most welcome! I am happy you loved this easy and tasty recipe!
I was hesitant to make the marinade because I had just listened to a famous chef talk about dry rubs as preferable over marinades for turkey. I am glad I went ahead and did the recipe as Elena has suggested! It went over quite well at Thanksgiving, thank you!
Yay! Happy this simple recipe was a huge hit!
Made this a few nights ago. Itโs is a winner, winner, winner. Turned out perfect. I marinated overnight. Since it is more than enough for 2 people we had leftovers. I did put some jarred turkey gravy on leftovers when reheating. We loved it. It was easy and cooked faster than
the 25 min in oven for me. About 18 min in an accurate temp oven. I did add a teaspoon of poultry seasoning.
So happy you LOVED it! A great one to make this time of year!
We made this with turkey breast vs tenderloin. Juicy and full of flavor!
I love the flavors too! Yumm
We made this with turkey breast vs tenderloin for our Thanksgiving dinner abroad and it was excellent. Juicy and full of flavor!
Happy you got a little taste of Thanksgiving while abroad!
We made this with turkey breast for our Thanksgiving dinner abroad and it was excellent. Juicy and full of flavor!
I made this for Thanksgiving dinner, and it came out amazingly. I marinated the Turkey overnight, and I was pleased at how juicy and tender the end result was! I donโt typically make turkey because it dries out easily, but I am definitely going to make this version again. Delicious!
Happy you loved it! Yes, this turkey stays nice and tender every time. It is very easy too.
Made this for a Thanksgiving for two and it turned out great! Marinated overnight and it was so flavorful and moist. So low stress and effort for a day where the oven was working overtime. Thank you!
Yay! Happy you loved it! It is an easy recipe that always gives tender turkey.
Tender and juicy every time!