How to Cook the Perfect Bacon Wrapped Turkey Tenderloin

Bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin is a delicious and easy to make dinner that will impress your family and guests. The savory and salty bacon complements the mild and slightly sweet flavor of the turkey tenderloin perfectly. This recipe only requires a few simple ingredients, and the active cooking time is less than 30 minutes. With minimal effort, you can have a restaurant-quality entree ready in under an hour.

Ingredients

To make bacon wrapped turkey tenderloins you will need

• 2 turkey breast tenderloins, about 1 pound each
• 8-12 slices bacon
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these simple steps for flawlessly cooked bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. The rack will allow the bacon wrapped tenderloins to cook evenly.

2. Rinse the tenderloins under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Trim off any excess fat or sinew. Rub the tenderloins all over with olive oil and generously season both sides with salt and pepper. For extra flavor, you can also rub in some fresh thyme or rosemary.

3. Lay out the slices of bacon on a plate. Each tenderloin will need 4-6 slices of bacon to wrap around it. The bacon slices should be about 1/2 inch longer than the tenderloin to allow for overlap.

4. Wrap each tenderloin fairly tight in the bacon slices, overlapping them slightly and tucking the ends underneath the tenderloin. You may need to secure the bacon in place with toothpicks. Make sure the bacon is snug so it stays wrapped around the turkey during cooking.

5. Place the bacon wrapped tenderloins on the wire rack. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the bacon is browned and crispy and the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 160°F.

6. Let the tenderloins rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing into medallions and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute through the meat for maximum moisture and flavor.

7. Serve with your choice of side dishes. Bacon wrapped turkey goes well with roasted potatoes, green beans, or a fresh salad.

Cooking Tips

• Look for turkey breast tenderloins at your local grocery store, usually near the ground turkey. Or ask the butcher counter to get some for you.

• Use regular sliced bacon or try a thicker specialty bacon for even more decadence.

• Keep the tenderloins chilled in the fridge until ready to cook to prevent them from drying out.

• Don’t overlap the bacon too much or it may not crisp up evenly. Leave a sliver of turkey showing between bacon slices.

• If the turkey begins to brown too quickly when baking, tent it loosely with foil.

• Letting the cooked tenderloins rest before slicing is crucial for moist and juicy meat.

• For food safety, cook to an internal temperature of 160°F as measured with a meat thermometer.

• Thinner cuts like tenderloins can overcook quickly, so start checking temperature after 20 minutes.

• Slice into 1/2 inch thick medallions for serving. Always slice against the grain of the meat.

• Add a pan sauce if desired. Make a quick sauce while the turkey rests by sautéing shallots in the pan drippings.

Why Bacon Wrapped Turkey is So Tasty

So why does turkey tenderloin taste so amazing when wrapped in bacon before roasting? There are a few reasons this combination is so magical:

• Flavor infusion – The rendered bacon fat continuously bastes the turkey, infusing it with smoky, salty, savory bacon flavor right into the meat.

• Moisture retention – Turkey breast meat can easily dry out when cooking. The bacon wrap seals in the natural juices and prevents the tenderloin from drying out.

• Crisp texture – The high oven heat crisps up the bacon beautifully for fantastic crunch and texture contrast.

• Lean protein – Turkey tenderloin is very low in fat, making it a healthier choice than fattier cuts of meat. The bacon adds just enough richness.

• Quick cooking – Tenderloins cook faster than a whole turkey breast or other large roasts. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

• Easy preparation – Other than seasoning the meat, wrapping it in bacon takes just minutes to prep. The oven does the rest of the work!

Serving Suggestions

Bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin is extremely versatile. Here are some serving ideas:

• Slice and serve over a green salad for a light main dish salad.

• We love it with oven roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes and green beans.

• Pair it with steamed asparagus and rice pilaf for more of an elegant dinner.

• For a fall or winter meal, serve it with roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts.

• Stuff sliced turkey medallions into ciabatta or baguette rolls with pesto mayo, lettuce, and tomato for an easy sandwich.

• Dice up leftovers to make a tasty turkey salad with mayo, celery, and onion to use for sandwiches or lettuce wraps.

• Add leftover sliced turkey to chopped salads, tacos, omelets, or pasta dishes to use it up.

With minimal effort, you can have restaurant-quality bacon wrapped turkey tenderloin ready in under an hour. Follow this simple recipe for flawlessly cooked, super moist and flavorful turkey tenderloin every time. Let us know if you have any other favorite ways to serve this tasty dinner!