This delicious and easy Oven Roasted Turkey Tenderloin recipe is the best way to break away from a routine meal and savor a lean, protein rich meal. Each turkey breast tenderloin is crafted to perfection and offers a blend of tender, juicy meat and a delightful medley of seasonings. The effortless versatility of this recipe makes this meal perfect for a family, especially during those busy weeknights when you need to quickly get a healthy, delicious, and lean meal on the table!
Cooking a juicy, flavorful turkey breast can seem intimidating, but with the right technique, it’s easier than you think The cooking time depends on a few key factors like the size of the breast, whether it has a bone, and the temperature you cook it at Following some simple guidelines will ensure tender, delicious turkey breast every time.
Overview of Cooking a Turkey Breast
Turkey breast can be cooked bone-in or boneless Bone-in turkey breasts take longer to cook but have more flavor Boneless cooks faster. For both methods, use a meat thermometer to determine doneness, not just cooking time.
Turkey breast should reach an internal temperature of 165°F when finished cooking. This ensures it is fully cooked for food safety with juices running clear not pink.
How Long Per Pound?
The general rule of thumb for roasting bone-in turkey breast is to cook for 15-20 minutes per pound at 325°F. Here are estimated roasting times:
- 2 lb breast: 30-40 minutes
- 3 lb breast: 45-60 minutes
- 4 lb breast: 60-80 minutes
- 5 lb breast: 75-100 minutes
- 6 lb breast: 90-120 minutes
Boneless breasts and those without skin cook faster. Start checking the temperature early, around 30 minutes per pound.
Methods for Cooking a Turkey Breast
There are several good options for cooking turkey breast.
Oven Roasting: The most traditional method. Roast at 325°F in a pan until 165°F internal temperature. Baste occasionally with butter or broth.
Sous Vide: Cooks the meat gently in a water bath. Helps ensure very tender, juicy meat. Finish under the broiler.
Grilling: Gives great smoky flavor. Use indirect heat and rotate. Baste with sauce glaze.
Smoking: Infuses delicious smoky flavor throughout. Keep temperature low, around 225-250°F.
Brining: Soaking the raw breast in a saltwater solution seasons the meat and helps retain moisture. Can be done before roasting or smoking.
Tips for Perfect Turkey Breast
Follow these tips for the best results:
- Brine bone-in breasts for added flavor and moisture.
- Roast skin-side up on a rack in a pan to crisp skin.
- Baste with butter, broth or glaze during roasting.
- Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness.
- Heat to 165°F for safe, properly cooked meat.
With the right technique, you can enjoy juicy, delicious oven roasted turkey breast perfect for leftovers. Allow 15-20 minutes per pound when cooking bone-in turkey breasts. Rely more on temperature than time, and you’ll nail it every time.
Holiday Side Dish options
If you choose to serve this Turkey Tenderloin for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another special occasion, here are some of my favorite holiday sides to serve with it:
You can choose one or add a few sides to make a wholesome, well rounded dinner.
This Roasted Turkey Tenderloin recipe is as simple as promised! Just 25 minutes from start to finish for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use when making this recipe to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
- Turkey Tenderloins — These can be found in the turkey or poultry section of the meat department. Butterball and Jenni-O are the two brands that consistently carry these. The package will usually have 2 tenderloins and be much larger than a chicken breast. 2 turkey tenderloins will be about 1.5-2 pounds.
- Butter — Just cut it up into 3-4 slices. You can use salted or unsalted. Whatever you keep on hand is fine!
- Turkey Seasonings — These spices are all important for a signature, holiday turkey flavor. If you want to change the flavor you can use a different seasoning mix like Fajita Seasoning, Greek Seasoning, or Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning.
What to Serve with Oven Roasted Turkey Tenderloin
Since this dish has the classic flavors of the holidays, it will pair well with many of your favorite comforting side dishes. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
- Boursin Mashed Potatoes — Whip these potatoes up in no time and pair them with any of your favorite classic entrees!
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes — Perfect for a busy weeknight or a holiday meal. Throw these together in just 25 minutes.
- Roasted Green Beans — These are so simple, but a classic side dish that everyone enjoys.
- Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower — This recipe was inspired by a restaurant side and my whole family loves it!
- Oven Roasted Vegetables– This veggie medley is a perfect classic side for the Turkey Tenderloin
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
Is it better to cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350?
Is it better to cook a bone-in turkey breast at 325 or 350 degrees? Cook a bone-in turkey breast at 350°F. It will typically take 12-15 minutes per pound. So an 8-9 lb bone-in turkey breast will roast for 1 ½ to 2 hours (90 to 120 minutes).
How long does a 5 pound turkey breast take to cook?
| Estimated Roasting Time†† | ||
|---|---|---|
| Weight in Lbs. | Roasting Time at 350° | Slow Cooker Time on Low |
| 3-5 lbs. | 1-2¼ hours | 5-6 hours |
| 5-7 lbs. | 2¼-3 hours | 6-7 hours |
| 7-9 lbs. | 3-3½ hours | 7-8 hours |
Should a turkey breast be cooked, covered or uncovered?
Should You Cover a Turkey When Cooking? To achieve a perfectly golden, juicy turkey, let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered in the oven.Nov 13, 2024
What are the cooking times for a turkey breast?
We recommend calculating the cooking time by allowing 50 minutes of cooking per kg (for example, a 1.5 kg joint would take 1 hour 15 minutes). 4.
How long does it take to cook a turkey breast?
Put your turkey into the preheat oven and roast the turkey. The cooking time will vary based on weight. Figure 15-25 minutes per pound at 325. STEP 3. After one hour of cooking, turn the breast over so that it is breast side up. Baste with the butter and pan drippings.
How do you cook a 4 lb turkey breast?
Roasting is the most common and recommended cooking method for a 4 lb turkey breast, as it allows for even heat distribution and results in a beautifully browned skin. 3. How do I prepare a 4 lb turkey breast before cooking? Before cooking, it is important to ensure that the turkey breast is thawed if previously frozen.
What temperature should a turkey breast be cooked at?
Most turkey breast roasting recipes call for cooking at 325°F but using 350°F will decrease your cooking time. Lower temperatures are often recommended to keep the meat as moist as possible but going to 350°F won’t dry out your meat.
How long do you cook a 10 lb Turkey?
Put your turkey into the preheated oven and roast the turkey. The cooking time will vary based on weight. Figure 15-25 minutes per pound at 325. So if your turkey is 10 lbs, you will cook the turkey between 2.5-4.5 hours. There is a guide for cooking times further down this page! STEP 3.
How long does it take to cook a Turkey in the oven?
Place in the oven to roast at 425ºF for 20 minutes. Baste the turkey with pan juices, if any. Turn the oven temperature down to 325ºF. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF to 165 ºF in the center. Total roasting time will be 20 to 25 minutes per pound, depending on size and whether it’s boneless or bone-in.
How do you cook a boneless turkey breast?
Gently rub the seasonings into the turkey to ensure they stick. 3. Prepare a roasting pan: Place the boneless turkey breast on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan. This setup allows hot air to circulate around the turkey, promoting even cooking and browning. 4. Drizzle with olive oil: Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the turkey breast.