This is the best recipe for baked turkey tenderloin ever! The meat is baked in butter that has herbs, garlic, and orange zest mixed in. 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. Since this muscle isn’t used much, it’s very tender—more tender than a main part of the turkey breast! Since it’s very lean, it doesn’t have much flavor by itself, so you’ll need to add some fat (we’re using butter, which slowly bastes the meat as it melts) and lots of smelly spices to make it taste great.
What is the difference between turkey breast and turkey tenderloin? Turkey tenderloin is a small part of the whole turkey breast. It has no bones or skin and is found under the main part of the turkey breast.
Turkey tenderloin is a delicious, lean, and tender cut of meat that can be easily prepared in the oven. When cooked properly at the right temperature, turkey tenderloins emerge tender, juicy, and full of flavor. But how long should you cook turkey tenderloin at 350 degrees Fahrenheit? Here’s a complete guide to achieving perfect oven-baked turkey tenderloins.
Overview of Turkey Tenderloin
Turkey tenderloin refers to a tender strip of muscle located underneath the main breast portion of the turkey. It’s an underutilized muscle that doesn’t get much movement, which makes the meat exceptionally tender.
Turkey tenderloins are boneless, skinless cuts that look like small roasts. They are long and cylindrical in shape. Since it’s an incredibly lean cut, turkey tenderloin can dry out easily if overcooked. But when prepared properly, it can make for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner.
Why Cook Turkey Tenderloin at 350 Degrees
Cooking turkey tenderloin at 350°F is ideal for ensuring the meat cooks through without drying out This mid-range temperature gently roasts the tenderloin to perfection in a reasonable timeframe
Here are the benefits of baking turkey tenderloin at 350°F:
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Cooks the meat all the way through to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
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Provides enough heat to lightly brown and crisp the exterior.
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Allows the interior to remain juicy and tender.
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Avoids overcooking that can cause dryness.
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Cooks faster than extremely low oven temperatures
350°F hits the sweet spot between low-temperature roasting and high-heat cooking. Lower oven temperatures (250°F – 325°F) will cook the tenderloin evenly, but the process takes significantly longer. And temperatures above 375°F can start to dry out the lean meat.
How Long to Cook Turkey Tenderloin at 350 Degrees
The exact cooking time depends on the size and weight of the turkey tenderloins. Here are general timelines when baking turkey tenderloin at 350°F:
- 12 oz tenderloin – 30 to 35 minutes
- 1 lb tenderloin – 35 to 40 minutes
- 1.5 lb tenderloin – 40 to 45 minutes
- 2 lb tenderloin – 50 to 55 minutes
For the most precise doneness, use an instant read digital meat thermometer. Turkey is safely cooked at 165°F. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the tenderloin without touching bone.
If you don’t have a thermometer, make a small slit into the thickest portion after the estimated bake time. Check that the interior is white throughout and the juices run clear with no traces of pink.
Tips for Perfect Turkey Tenderloin
Follow these simple tips for tender, juicy turkey tenderloins baked at 350°F:
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Brine the tenderloin: Soaking in a saltwater brine seasons the meat and helps it retain moisture during cooking.
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Use a meat thermometer: This guarantees the tenderloin bakes long enough to reach 165°F.
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Let it rest before slicing: Allowing it to rest for 5-10 minutes enables the juices to re-absorb into the meat.
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Sear before roasting: Browning the outside in a skillet enhances flavor.
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Season generously: Coat with olive oil and spice with herbs, garlic, citrus, etc.
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Roast on a wire rack: Elevating it on a rack over a baking sheet promotes air circulation.
Step-by-Step Method
Follow these simple steps for baking turkey tenderloin at 350°F:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with oil.
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Rinse the tenderloin and pat very dry with paper towels. Trim away any excess fat.
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Brine the tenderloin in saltwater solution for 30 minutes up to 8 hours (optional). Rinse and dry again.
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Rub the tenderloin all over with olive oil and generously season with desired herbs/spices.
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For crispy exterior, quickly sear the tenderloin in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side.
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Place seasoned tenderloin on prepared baking sheet or wire rack.
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Roast in the preheated 350°F oven until internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 30-55 minutes.
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Remove tenderloin from oven, tent loosely with foil and let rest 5-10 minutes.
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Slice into medallions and serve warm. Enjoy!
Cooking Turkey Tenderloin in the Oven
Baking turkey tenderloins at 350°F consistently yields super juicy, flavorful results. Allowing an estimated 30-55 minutes of cook time based on weight enables the lean meat to cook through without drying out. Resting afterwards allows juices to redistribute. Simply slice and serve this healthy oven-baked turkey breast meat.
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.
Not having a thermometer? Get one, it’s very cheap and useful for many dishes! If not, cut the meat in half across the thickest part; it should be white and the juices should run clear.
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 like to use a grill thermometer with a probe attached to a long cable for this. You can stick the probe into the meat before baking it and then put the meat in the oven with the probe inside. The thermometer on the outside (a thin cable goes through the closed oven door) will show you live the temperature inside the meat, so you know when to take it out of the oven!
Please bear in mind, that the baking time may vary depending on the oven!
How to cook turkey tenderloin step by step
STEP 1: Heat the oven to 350°F/175°C/Gas Mark 4. If you have a convection oven, lower the temperature by about 20° or follow the directions on the oven’s box.
Get out a baking dish that’s just a bit bigger than the piece of meat you want to cook. This way, the butter won’t burn on the bottom, and after baking, you can use a spoon to make a sauce that you can pour over the turkey.
STEP 2: Make herb garlic orange butter. Add chopped herbs, orange zest, and pressed garlic cloves to the butter and mix them together. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Third, put the butter on the turkey tenderloin. First, pour the lemon juice all over the turkey tenderloin and season it with salt and pepper on both sides. Then, put the butter on top of the meat. The butter won’t stick very well to the meat because of the lemon juice, but don’t worry about that. Just spread it as evenly as you can on all sides.
If you have time, leave the meat to marinate for 1 hour (or longer, overnight). Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you plan on baking it.
STEP 4: Bake for 37 to 42 minutes, depending on the size of the meat (16 minutes for a 15-ounce (425-gram) tenderloin vs. 37 minutes for a 12-ounce (350-gram) tenderloin).
Let it rest for 10 minutes then cut into slices and serve. Pour the aromatic butter from the baking dish over the meat.
How to Cook Turkey Tenderloins
FAQ
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