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This roasted Turkey Tenderloin Recipe with Marinade– is incredibly flavorful and juicy. This fool-proof, easy recipe packs tons of flavor with the garlic and herb marinade and is cooked to perfection in the oven.
Serve with green beans, glazed carrots, and mashed potatoes.
Best Baked Turkey Tenderloin
Get ready for a delicious turkey dinner! When you don’t have time or want the hassle of a whole turkey, make 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.
Try our delicious pork tenderloin recipe.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This simple turkey tenderloin recipe requires a few ingredients and is much easier than making a whole Thanksgiving turkey! A delicious recipe to make any time of the year.
Garlic Herb Marinade
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Honey
- Fresh Garlic or garlic powder
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
- Paprika
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
Turkey Tenderloin:
- Turkey tenderloins
- Olive oil
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Cook Turkey Tenderloin (Step-by-Step with photos)
Make this easy turkey tenderloin recipe any night of the week or the star of the show for a smaller crowd Thanksgiving dinner.
Dry the tenderloins: Pat the turkey loins dry with a paper towel on both sides.
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. This will be your garlic herb marinade.
Marinate the turkey: 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 turkey occasionally to distribute the marinade evenly.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Heat the oil: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stainless steel skillet, oven-safe skillet, or cast iron skillet until shimmering hot.
Remove Turkey from Marinade: Turn to coat the tenderloins in the marinade one last time. Remove the turkey tenderloins from the bag or bowl.
Sear: Sear turkey tenderloins for 1 minute on all sides until lightly browned.
Roast Turkey: 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.
Rest and Slice: Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven with oven mitts and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for about 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: Serve the oven-roasted turkey tenderloin slices with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. Enjoy your delicious and flavorful oven-roasted turkey tenderloin!
Variations
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 meat 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.
Equipment
Can I make this ahead of time?
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 h 30 minutes before cooking.
This is a great make-ahead option, allowing the marinade to soak more into the meat and flavor it.
How to Store and Reheat
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 Ziplock 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).
Top tips
- Marinating Magic: Marinate the turkey tenderloin to infuse flavor and moisture. Combine oil, herbs, and seasonings in advance for a more flavorful result.
- Even Thickness: Aim for a uniform thickness in the tenderloin for even cooking. You can pound it slightly with a meat mallet if needed.
- Proper Preheating: Ensure your cooking equipment (oven, grill, pan) is properly preheated before placing the tenderloin. This helps with even cooking and a nice sear.
- Temperature Tracking: Always use a meat thermometer to gauge doneness accurately. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Relax: After cooking, let the turkey tenderloin rest for a few minutes. This allows juices to redistribute for a juicier result.
- Slicing Savviness: When slicing, cut against the grain for optimal tenderness. This shortens the muscle fibers, resulting in a more tender bite.
FAQs
Turkey tenderloin is a boneless cut of meat from the breast of the turkey. It’s lean, tender, and perfect for quick cooking methods.
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.
You can buy turkey tenderloin at grocery stores, butcher shops, supermarkets, specialty stores, online retailers, and wholesale clubs. Look in the meat or poultry sections, and choose between fresh and frozen options based on your preferences and needs.
More Recipes
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
What to Serve with Roasted Turkey Tenderloin
Some traditional sides include sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, cornbread dressing, and green bean casserole. These are my favorite dishes to serve with this juicy turkey tenderloin recipe:
Baked Turkey Tenderloin Recipe
Oven Roasted Turkey Tenderloin Recipe with Marinade– is incredibly flavorful and juicy. This fool-proof, easy recipe packs tons of flavor with the garlic and herb marinade and is cooked to perfection in the oven.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Ingredients
Garlic Herb Marinade
- 1/4 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
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Turkey Tenderloin:
- 2 turkey tenderloins (about 1 to 1.5 pounds each), they come in a pack of 2
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
-
Dry the tenderloins: Pat the turkey loins dry with a paper towel on both sides.
-
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. This will be your garlic herb marinade.
-
Marinate the turkey: 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 turkey occasionally to distribute the marinade evenly.
-
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Heat the oil: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stainless steel skillet, oven-safe skillet, or cast iron skillet until shimmering hot.
-
Remove Turkey from Marinade: Turn to coat the tenderloins in the marinade one last time. Remove the turkey tenderloins from the bag or bowl.
-
Sear: Sear turkey tenderloins for 1 minute on all sides until lightly browned.
-
Roast Turkey: 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.
-
Rest and Slice: Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven with oven mitts and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for about 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: Serve the oven-roasted turkey tenderloin slices with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. Enjoy your delicious and flavorful oven-roasted turkey tenderloin!
*Remember that cooking times can vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the turkey tenderloins. Always use a good meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature has reached a safe level for poultry.
- Prep Time: 10 min + marinade time
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: American
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 don’t 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!