This grilled turkey tenderloin recipe isn’t the only irresistible turkey dish in my cookbook. My seven-ingredient Roasted Turkey Legs are a picture-perfect recipe for holidays and weeknight meals alike, while Ground Turkey Meatloaf gives classic beef meatloaf a lean yet rich edge. With these easy meal ideas, you’ll never wonder what to do with turkey again.
Grilling turkey tips or tenderloins is a quick and easy way to enjoy delicious turkey year-round. Getting the grill time right ensures the turkey comes out moist, flavorful and safe to eat. Follow this guide to learn exactly how long to grill turkey tips based on thickness and preferred doneness.
What are Turkey Tips?
Turkey tips, also called turkey tenderloins or tenders, are oval-shaped cuts of meat from the tender muscle that runs along the turkey’s breastbone Turkey tips are very tender, lean and quick-cooking
Compared to chicken tenders, turkey tips are larger, thicker and need a bit more time on the grill. Their mild turkey flavor takes well to bold rubs and marinades.
Why Grill Turkey Tips?
Grilling turkey tips has many advantages over cooking a whole turkey
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Takes only 15-25 minutes to grill rather than hours to roast a whole bird.
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Produces juicy, flavorful white meat without drying out.
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The tenderloins cook evenly, unlike a whole turkey.
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Easy to grill year-round, not just for the holidays.
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Marinates quickly for extra flavor.
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Versatile and easy to pair with various seasonings.
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No need to truss, stuff or tend while cooking like a whole turkey.
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Portion control makes it easy to serve a few people.
How Long Should You Grill Turkey Tips?
The grill time for turkey tips depends on the thickness and desired doneness:
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For 1-inch thick tips, grill approximately 15-18 minutes total.
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For 1 1/2-inch thick tips, grill around 20-25 minutes.
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Grill 5-6 minutes per side over direct high heat to get grill marks and color.
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Then move to indirect heat and finish cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe doneness.
Always use a meat thermometer to accurately determine doneness, as grill times are estimates. Turkey tips 1 inch or less may cook slightly faster.
Turkey Tip Grill Time Chart
Follow these general guidelines for how long to grill turkey tenderloins based on thickness:
| Thickness | Direct Heat | Indirect Heat | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 5-6 min per side | 4-6 min | 15-18 min |
| 1 1/2 inches | 6-7 min per side | 6-8 min | 20-25 min |
Step-by-Step Guide for Grilling Turkey Tips
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Prepare the turkey tips by trimming off any excess fat or tendons. Rinse and pat dry.
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Brine or marinate the tenderloins for added moisture and flavor.
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Remove turkey from marinade and pat dry. Coat all over with oil or dry rub.
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Preheat grill to medium-high heat, about 400-450°F. Use direct heat to start.
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Place tips on hot oiled grates. Grill 5-7 minutes until browned.
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Flip and grill 5-7 minutes more to get grill marks on second side.
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Move turkey tips to indirect heat, close grill lid. Cook until 165°F internally.
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Check temperature and flip turkey every 5 minutes while indirect grilling.
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Remove turkey from grill when it reaches 165°F internally. The USDA recommends poultry reach this safe minimum temperature.
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Let rest 5 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
How to Tell When Turkey Tips are Done Grilling
The most reliable way to test doneness is by temperature, not color or texture. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the tenderloin. Turkey is safe to eat at 165°F.
Signs turkey tips are fully cooked:
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Internal temperature of 165°F
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Meat springs back when pressed
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Clear juices (not pink)
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Lightly charred exterior
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Opacity throughout
Tips for Grilling Juicy Turkey Tips
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Brine or marinate turkey in acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, wine or yogurt. This keeps the lean meat tender and moist.
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Pat turkey dry before grilling. Wet meat causes steaming instead of browning.
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Use medium-high heat for best results. Too high can burn the exterior before interior cooks.
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Flip only once during direct heat grilling to get crispy grill marks.
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Let rest 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
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Take care not to overcook turkey or it will dry out. Use a thermometer for accuracy.
Safety Tips for Turkey on the Grill
It’s important to follow safe grilling practices when cooking turkey:
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Defrost turkey completely before grilling. Do not grill partially frozen meat.
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Preheat grill before cooking. Scrape grates clean.
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Cook to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
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Do not reuse marinade as a sauce unless boiled first to kill bacteria.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Discard if left out longer.
The Takeaway on Grill Times for Turkey Tips
Grilling is a fast and flavorful way to enjoy turkey tenderloins year-round. Allow 15-25 minutes of total grill time depending on thickness. Use a meat thermometer to determine 165°F internal temperature for safe doneness. Rest turkey 5 minutes before slicing for incredibly juicy and delicious grilled turkey tips!
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Ingredients You’ll Need for Grilling Turkey Loins
You only need two simple sets of ingredients to grill the perfect turkey breast fillets: the meat and my easy turkey tenderloin marinade.
Marinade ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Soy sauce
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Coconut sugar (or brown sugar): Adding coconut sugar to your turkey loin marinade is an easy way to give your meat a luscious caramelized flavor using natural sweetness. However, you may also use brown sugar depending on what you have in your pantry.
- Onion powder
- Paprika: Paprika does wonders for giving this recipe its mouthwateringly complex, peppery taste, but you may also use smoked paprika for a more robust smoky flavor.
- Dried herbs: I recommend adding a light mix of dried thyme and dried sage (or dried oregano if preferred) to your marinade mixture. If you’d like your turkey tips to have extra earthy undertones, you may also use fresh versions of these ingredients. Just be sure to chop them finely before adding them in the marinade.
- Black pepper
- Fresh Garlic cloves: While we prefer fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder (2 teaspoons) if you prefer.
Turkey tenderloins:
- Turkey loins: I designed this recipe to accommodate two 9-ounce turkey tenderloins, though this cut of meat often comes in many different sizes. If your cuts are larger, you may multiply the recipe to accommodate their size.
- Sauce: My favorite way to make a sauce for turkey tenderloin is to reserve three tablespoons of the marinade before marinating the meat in it. Then once turkey tenderloins are grilled, all you have to do is to brush them with the reserved marinade for an appetizingly savory and saucy finish.
- Rub: If you prefer to skip the marination process, dry your turkey with paper towels, brush it with olive oil, and season it with a turkey tenderloin rub before grilling. I recommend using my Turkey Rub Recipe for an herbaceous and bold mixture that you can make in just five minutes.
- Salt and pepper: While the saltiness in the recipe comes from soy sauce, you are more than welcome to finish it off with a pinch of kosher salt and black pepper before serving.
How to Grill Turkey Tenderloin
Learning to cook turkey tenderloin on a gas grill is a breeze when you use my simple cooking method. These step-by-step instructions will have even beginner chefs cooking this rich, juicy turkey recipe in no time.
- Mix the marinade: In a measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sugar, onion powder, paprika, thyme, sage, black pepper, and garlic. Reserve three tablespoons of the mixture and set it aside.
- Prep the tenderloin for marination: Place tenderloins into a large resealable plastic bag or a bowl big enough to allow them to submerge fully in the marinade.
- Marinate turkey tenderloin: Pour the whisked marinade over the turkey breast fillets. Then, either seal bag or cover the bowl with plastic wrap, removing as much air as possible. Transfer the covered container to the refrigerator and marinate the meat for at least one hour or up to eight hours.
- Transfer the tenderloins: Remove the marinated turkey tenderloin from the fridge 30 minutes before grilling.
- Heat grill: Preheat the gas grill to 400 degrees F. (medium-high heat), and scrape the grates to remove any remaining food residue. Then, dip a wad of paper towels into olive oil and use a pair of tongs to coat the grill grates generously. Remove the tenderloins from the marinade and shake off any excess liquid.
- Grill the turkey breast tenderloin: Place turkey tenderloins on the grill and cook, covered, for eight minutes. Then, flip the fillets and cook them for another 6-7 minutes, covered, until their internal temperature reaches 155 degrees F. in the thickest part of the meat. If the turkey begins to burn, move it to the cooler side of the grill, cover it, and cook until done.
- Let the meat rest: Transfer the grilled turkey breast fillets from the grill to a plate and cover them with a loose tent of aluminum foil. Let them rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve: After resting, slice the turkey tenderloin to your preferred thickness, brush or drizzle it with the reserved marinade, and serve.
Chicago’s Best Turkey Tips: Kirk’s BBQ
FAQ
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