This is absolutely the best recipe for baked turkey tenderloin! The meat is baked with aromatic butter mixed with herbs, garlic, and orange zest. It comes out tender, melt-in-your-mouth, so juicy. It’s perfectly spiced, fragrant, and baked to perfection.
Turkey tenderloin is a tender and very lean piece of turkey. It is an underused muscle so it’s very tender – more than a main part of the turkey breast! Since it’s a very lean meat it doesn’t have much flavor on its own so you’ll need to add some fat to the meat (we’re adding butter that is slowly basting the meat as it melts) and lots of aromatic spices to make it taste amazing.
Is turkey tenderloin the same as turkey breast? No, turkey tenderloin is a small part of the whole turkey breast, it’s boneless and skinless (it’s found beneath the main part of the turkey breast).
Cooking turkey tenderloin can seem intimidating. After all, it’s easy to dry out or overcook this lean cut of meat However, with the right technique, you can make irresistibly juicy, flavorful oven-baked turkey tenderloins in under 30 minutes. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook tender, succulent turkey tenderloin at 350°F
What is Turkey Tenderloin?
Turkey tenderloin is a premium cut of boneless, skinless white meat that comes from the area between the turkey’s breast It’s sometimes labeled as turkey medallions, turkey fillets, or turkey breast tenders
Compared to turkey breast, tenderloin is smaller in size and even more tender in texture. Many regard it as the most tender part of the turkey! When buying, look for packages of 1-2 tenderloins that are around 4 ounces each.
Why Cook Turkey Tenderloin at 350°F?
Cooking tenderloin between 325-375°F helps prevent the lean meat from drying out while still cooking it through. I find 350°F to be the ideal temperature for baking juicy, tender turkey tenderloins in a standard oven in under 30 minutes.
Here are some key benefits to baking turkey tenderloin at 350°F:
- Cooks the tenderloin evenly throughout.
- Produces tender, juicy meat when cooked properly.
- Allows you to get a browned,crispy exterior from searing.
- Doesn’t require special equipment – just a standard oven.
- Lets you cook the turkey in under 30 minutes for a quick dinner.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cook Turkey Tenderloin at 350°F
Follow this simple process for foolproof oven-baked turkey tenderloins.
Ingredients:
- 2 turkey tenderloins (4 oz. each)
- Olive oil
- Seasonings of choice (salt, pepper, herbs like sage or thyme work well)
Directions:
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Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
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Pat the tenderloins dry and rub all over with olive oil. Generously season both sides with salt, pepper, and any other spices.
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Sear the tenderloins in a hot skillet for 1 minute per side to brown them.
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Transfer to the baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 155°F.
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Let rest for 5-10 minutes until the temperature reaches 165°F. Slice and serve!
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Turkey Tenderloin:
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Pat the raw tenderloins very dry before searing to help browning.
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Make sure your skillet is very hot before searing to lock in juices.
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Use a meat thermometer to accurately gauge doneness – remove from oven at 155°F.
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Letting the turkey rest after baking allows juices to redistribute for tender meat.
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Adjust cook times slightly up or down based on the size of your tenderloins.
Common Questions about Cooking Turkey Tenderloin at 350°F
How long should I bake turkey tenderloins at 350°F?
For 1-2 tenderloins that are around 4 ounces each, bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until 155°F internally. Larger tenderloins may need up to 18-20 minutes.
What is the best way to cook turkey tenderloin?
Searing and then roasting at a lower temp produces the juiciest, most flavorful turkey tenderloin. Baking at 350°F is ideal for cooking the turkey evenly without drying it out.
Should I cover turkey tenderloin when baking?
No, bake turkey tenderloin uncovered to promote even cooking. You can tent it with foil after baking while it rests.
Is turkey tenderloin done at 155°F?
Remove turkey from the oven at 155°F, then let it rest covered in foil until it reaches 165°F for food safety. This helps prevent overcooking.
Can I grill turkey tenderloin instead?
Yes! Grilled turkey tenderloin is delicious in warmer months. Grill over direct medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side until 155°F internally.
Best Ways to Use Leftover Turkey Tenderloin
Leftover roasted turkey tenderloin makes easy, healthy meals all week long. Here are some of my favorite ways to use up leftover baked turkey tenderloin:
- Turkey sandwiches or wraps with veggies and cheese
- Turkey salad with leftover vegetables and greens
- Turkey fried rice or stir fry
- Quesadillas or tacos with turkey and peppers
- Soup with turkey meat and broth
- Turkey breakfast hash with eggs and potatoes
Stored properly in the fridge, leftover turkey tenderloin will keep for 3-4 days after cooking. Reheat gently before serving.
Satisfying Turkey Tenderloin Meals
Turkey tenderloin cooked perfectly at 350°F makes for a quick, impressive dinner. Serve it with flavorful sides like roasted veggies, potatoes, rice, or salad. Some tasty dinner ideas include:
- Maple Roasted Carrots and Mashed Potatoes
- Sauteed Green Beans with Bacon and Baked Potato
- Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
- Loaded Baked Sweet Potato
- Quinoa Pilaf with Asparagus
Give this easy method a try for your next turkey tenderloin meal! Properly baking tenderloins at 350°F results in deliciously juicy, tender meat bursting with flavor.
What to serve it with
We love this recipe but you could also prepare it differently:
- make a lemon thyme marinade like in this lemon thyme baked chicken breast recipe
- spread your tenderloin with a parmesan mayo mixture like in this mayo parmesan chicken recipe but baked it at 350°F/180°C
- wrap it in prosciutto like in this prosciutto-wrapped chicken recipe
You can store baked turkey tenderloin for up to 3-4 days in the fridge. Reheat in an 320°F (160°C) oven, in a microwave or gently steam it (this is the best method for reheating lean poultry meat, without drying it out).
You can store unbaked turkey tenderloin for up to 2 days in the fridge. Butter will become solid and won’t look like a paste anymore, but this is fine. Take it out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before baking it.
You can freeze unbaked and baked tenderloin. Thaw before using and reheating.
Did you make this recipe? RATE THE RECIPE or tell me in the COMMENTS how you liked it! You can also add a photo of your dish. It would make me very happy and will help other readers. Thank you!!
How to know if the meat is cooked through
To be sure that the meat is cooked through, check its internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat.
If you don’t have a thermometer (but you should, it’s super cheap and comes in handy when preparing so many dishes!), cut the meat in half in the thickest part – it should be white and the juices should run clean.
What temp should turkey tenderloin be cooked to? The temperature should be 165°F/74°C. I’m baking my meat to 158°F/70°C and after the resting time, it should come to the safe temperature of 165°F/74°C.
I love to use a grill thermometer for that (the one that has a probe connected to a long cable) – you can stick the probe into the meat before baking it, put the meat with the probe in the oven, and the thermometer that is outside (a thin cable goes through the closed oven door) will show you live the temperature inside your meat, so you know exactly when to take it out of the oven!
Please bear in mind, that the baking time may vary depending on the oven!