Turkey doesn’t have to be reserved for holidays with this recipe for Easy Turkey Tenderloin with Herbs, a quick-cooking cut that’s all leaner white meat.
When I spotted turkey tenderloins in the grocery store back in September, I picked them up, thinking how easy they’d be for dinner — or as an alternative to a full turkey.
Like turkey cutlets, split turkey breast and cooking turkey breast in a slow cooker, this is another way to enjoy that Thanksgiving experience without the time and effort required to make a big turkey.
Turkey tenderloin is an all-white meat part of the turkey found beneath the breast. The ones I’ve purchased have been about eight to ten inches long and four-ish inches wide. The weight of the packages vary, but generally, a package of two can feed six with plenty of sides.
When I made the turkey tenderloins for the first time, I realized I’d been spot on — and turkey tenderloin has been a welcome addition to our dinner repertoire. Since then, I’ve bought the tenderloins several more times and found they are easy enough to make on weeknights — if I have about an hour to cook dinner.
Cooking turkey tenderloin on the stove is a quick and easy way to prepare this lean, flavorful cut of meat. The tenderloin is located on the inside of a turkey breast, so it’s extra tender with very little fat or connective tissue Stovetop cooking helps keep the turkey tenderloin juicy while developing delicious flavor With just a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can have delicious turkey tenderloins ready in under 30 minutes.
Benefits of Cooking Turkey Tenderloin on the Stove
There are several advantages to cooking turkey tenderloin on the stovetop rather than oven roasting:
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Quick cooking time Stovetop cooking is much faster than oven roasting Turkey tenderloins can be cooked in 15-20 minutes on the stove,
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Better moisture retention: The quick stovetop cooking method helps retain moisture so the tenderloins stay juicy.
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Enhanced browning and flavor: Searing the tenderloins on the stove creates nice browned exterior and caramelized flavors.
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Less mess: Stovetop cooking contains the mess to one pan rather than heating up the whole oven.
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Lower temperature required: The stove doesn’t need to be heated to a high temp like the oven does for roasting.
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Versatile stovetop vessels: You can use a skillet, grill pan, or Dutch oven to cook tenderloins on the stove.
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Easy to monitor doneness: It’s simple to check for doneness and cook to the perfect internal temperature on the stove.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Turkey Tenderloin on the Stove
Follow this simple process for cooking moist, delicious turkey tenderloins on the stovetop:
Ingredients
- 1 pound turkey tenderloins
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
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Pat the tenderloins dry: Pat the turkey tenderloins with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Drying helps them brown better.
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Brush with oil: Lightly coat both sides of the tenderloins with the olive oil. This helps prevent sticking and enhances browning.
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Season the tenderloins: Sprinkle the poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly over both sides. Rub the spices into the meat.
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Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Allow it to get fully hot before adding the tenderloins.
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Brown the tenderloins: Carefully add the oiled and seasoned tenderloins to the hot skillet. Brown for 2-3 minutes per side.
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Reduce heat and continue cooking: Flip the tenderloins and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 12-15 more minutes, flipping occasionally.
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Check internal temperature: Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the tenderloins. Cook until it reaches 165°F.
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Let rest before serving: Transfer the tenderloins to a cutting board and tent with foil. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing to serve.
Turkey Tenderloin Stovetop Cooking Tips
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Use a digital instant-read thermometer to monitor the internal temperature precisely. This prevents overcooking.
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Let the tenderloins rest after cooking for better moisture retention and easier slicing.
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Avoid poking or cutting into the tenderloins while they cook to prevent losing juices. Use tongs for flipping instead.
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Add garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, or other herbs to the oil to infuse more flavor into the turkey.
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Deglaze the pan after cooking with chicken broth or wine to make an easy sauce from the browned bits.
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Cook an extra tenderloin to use in salads, sandwiches, wraps, and other lunches throughout the week.
Common Turkey Tenderloin Questions
What is the difference between a turkey tenderloin and turkey breast?
Turkey tenderloins are long, cylindrical cuts from the tender muscle inside boneless, skinless turkey breasts. Turkey breast meat is typically thicker with a larger surface area.
How long does it take to cook turkey tenderloins on the stove?
It takes about 15-20 minutes to cook 1-pound turkey tenderloins on the stovetop, including a 2-3 minute sear on each side at the beginning. Larger tenderloins may need a couple more minutes.
What temperature should turkey tenderloins be cooked to?
Cook turkey tenderloins on the stove until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. This ensures they are fully cooked for food safety.
Can you cook turkey tenderloin in a pan on the stove?
Yes, skillet cooking is a perfect way to cook turkey tenderloins on the stovetop. Use a heavy stainless steel or cast iron skillet to sear and cook the tenderloins.
What is the best oil to cook turkey tenderloin?
Good oils for cooking turkey tenderloin include olive oil, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil. Avoid vegetable and canola oil as they can’t withstand high heat as well.
What seasonings go well with turkey tenderloin?
Try poultry seasoning, garlic powder, rosemary, sage, thyme, paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, lemon juice, zest, mustard, and oregano.
Cooking juicy, delicious turkey tenderloins on the stovetop is easy and fast. In around 20 minutes, you can have flavorful, tender turkey ready to serve that beats oven roasting. Use a hot skillet for browned exterior, monitor temperature carefully, and let the tenderloins rest before slicing for best results.
What I Like About This Recipe
So why do I like this recipe for Easy Turkey Tenderloin with Herbs so much? Several things.
First, the meat cooks uniformly well every time — there’s no guesswork or keeping your fingers crossed. It’s just juicy, well-seasoned, well-cooked turkey.
Secondly, it cooks swiftly (for turkey). Full turkeys can take hours — and so can split breasts. But this boneless, skinless turkey tenderloin is ready in an hour or less. Score!
And, finally, the herbed flavor isn’t overpowering — nor is the flavor of the meat. They just play well together.
Quick, easy, flavorful, juicy … Why not try this recipe soon?
How to Make Easy Turkey Tenderloin
The first step — and perhaps the hardest step — is to locate turkey tenderloin in your local grocery store. Not all stores carry it (though you could certainly talk to your butcher about getting some in). Mine came in a package of two. Smaller marinated ones are available, but for this recipe you need just a plain piece of meat.
For this recipe, you will make a really easy and simple herb rub. It’s made of dried rosemary, dried thyme and dried sage, along with salt and pepper. Measure, mix and set aside.
Now, arrange the turkey tenderloins in a baking dish that’s been sprayed with cooking oil spray (or brushed with oil). I use canola oil in a Mr. Mister bottle.
Then rub that herb rub all over the turkey — you want it on all sides, top and bottom. Yes, use it all. Now, it’s time to bake.
Once the turkey is done cooking (it should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. I double-check with a thermometer), remove it from the oven and let it cool down for a few minutes before slicing it up. This helps ensure that it retains its moisture.
Once it’s sliced, arrange it on a platter and serve. This is excellent with my Foolproof Turkey Gravy and mashed potatoes.
The Best Way To Make A Juicy Turkey Tenderloin
FAQ
How do you know when turkey tenderloin is cooked?
Turkey tenderloin takes around 35-40 minutes at 400ºF to reach a safe-to-eat, internal temperature of 165ºF.
How long to cook turkey meat on stove?
Things You’ll Need
He recommends you start with a pound of ground turkey and cook it on the stovetop with chopped yellow onions and red, yellow and green peppers. As for how long to cook ground turkey on the stove, you’ll want to do it for about 13 to 18 minutes.
Is turkey tenderloin the same as turkey breast?
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Location:Turkey tenderloin is a smaller, more tender section located within the turkey breast.
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Bone and Skin:A turkey tenderloin is always boneless and skinless, whereas a turkey breast can be bone-in and skin-on.
How do you cook a Turkey Tenderloin in a pan?
Sear the turkey breast fillet: Place turkey tenderloins in the heated skillet and cook for 1 minute on each side until the meat lightly browns. Bake the pan-seared turkey tenderloin: Place the skillet in the oven. Roast until the internal temperature of turkey tenderloin registers 155 degrees F. (about 15 minutes).
Should you cook a Turkey Tenderloin at 350 degrees?
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.
How long do you cook a Turkey Tenderloin in the oven?
Sear the turkey tenderloins on each side for a minute or two to lock in the moisture. Bake the tenderloins in the oven, uncovered, for about 25 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 °F. Use a meat thermometer for the best result.
How do you cook a roasted turkey breast Tenderloin?
When the internal temperature reaches 163°F., the baked turkey breast tenderloins are ready to come out of the oven. Rest the meat for 10 minutes before slicing. Lightly cover the roasted turkey with a sheet of aluminum foil so it stays warm. During the 10 minutes of rest time, the meat will continue to cook.
How long does Turkey Tenderloin last after cooking?
Stored properly in the fridge, leftover turkey tenderloin will keep for 3-4 days after cooking. Reheat gently before serving. 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:
How to cook Jennie O Turkey Tenderloin in oven?
How to cook Jennie O’ turkey tenderloin in the oven? Preheat oven to 350°F. Place tenderloins in a shallow baking pan. Bake until meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion of the meat reaches 165°F, approximately 60-70 minutes. Remove from oven, cover and let rest 5-10 minutes before slicing.