How to cook turkey breast tenderloin in oven

Sweet and Smoky Turkey Tenderloin

If boneless, skinless chicken breasts are regularly featured on your weeknight menu, consider turkey tenderloin as an equally versatile alternative.

Table of Contents Show

Sweet and Smoky Turkey Tenderloin
Is Turkey Tenderloin the Same as Turkey Breast?
What Temperature Should Turkey Tenderloin Be Cooked?
What to Serve with Turkey Tenderloin
Ingredients
Instructions
Recipe Notes
What temp should Turkey Tenderloin be cooked to?
How do you cook Butterball turkey breast natural tenderloins?
Are turkey tenderloins the same as turkey breast?
Do you cook a boneless turkey breast at 325 or 350?

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Credit: Shilpa Uskokovic

If boneless, skinless chicken breasts are featured regularly on your weeknight menu, consider turkey tenderloin as an equally versatile alternative. Easy to prepare and fast-cooking, turkey tenderloins take well to all kinds of flavors and preparations. And if you love a traditional Thanksgiving dinner but can’t be bothered with the hassle of roasting a whole bird, tenderloins recreate that same festive flavor in way less time. A simple roasted version is a good back-pocket recipe to know — and this one, with its deeply flavorful rub, is a keeper.

A dry rub or dry brine is a great way to introduce tons of flavor to a lean cut like turkey tenderloin. This sweet and smoky version is packed full of smoked paprika and dried herbs that bloom in the heat of the oven. It will seem like a lot of rub, but make sure to use all of it for maximum flavor! You can vary the flavors by switching out the dried herbs in this recipe — dried rosemary and dried tarragon are two great alternatives.

Is Turkey Tenderloin the Same as Turkey Breast?

Think of turkey tenderloin as a bigger version of chicken tenders. Both can be found on the same part of the bird: just under the breast. Turkey tenderloins are always boneless and skinless, while turkey breast can sometimes be bone-in and skin-on.

What Temperature Should Turkey Tenderloin Be Cooked?

For the juiciest results, cook turkey tenderloin at a slightly lower temperature than you might be used to. Cooking at 325°F, as in this recipe, ensures a gentle, even cook without the turkey drying out.

What to Serve with Turkey Tenderloin

Some great sides for turkey tenderloin are as follows:

Mashed potatoes and green beans
A big, crisp green salad and a glass of wine
Steamed Broccolini with plenty of butter
Roasted sweet potatoes

If boneless, skinless chicken breasts are regularly featured on your weeknight menu, consider turkey tenderloin as an equally versatile alternative.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon
packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon
smoked paprika
2 teaspoons
kosher salt
2 teaspoons
dried ground sage
2 teaspoons
dried thyme
2 teaspoons
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon
ground cayenne (optional)
2
turkey breast tenderloins (1 1/2 to 2 pounds total)
1 tablespoon
vegetable oil

Instructions

Place 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons ground sage, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne (if using) in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
Pat 2 turkey tenderloins dry with paper towels and place in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the turkey, making sure to use all of it and pressing it into the flesh so it adheres. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large cast iron or oven-proof non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the turkey tenderloins and cook until browned on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the second side, about 2 minutes more.
Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the turkey is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer registers 155°F when inserted into the thickest part, 25 to 30 minutes.
Transfer the turkey to a clean cutting board and let rest for 15 minutes. Slice thinly crosswise and taste and season with more kosher salt as needed before serving.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

What temp should Turkey Tenderloin be cooked to?

Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the tenderloin. When it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, the turkey is done. You can find the oven thermometer I use and love on our Kitchen Essentials Store Page.

How do you cook Butterball turkey breast natural tenderloins?

Preparation Instructions Oven: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place in pan and bake 50 to 60 minutes until internal temperature in thickest part of tenderloin reach 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer.

Are turkey tenderloins the same as turkey breast?

Turkey tenderloin is a boneless, skinless part of the turkey. It's a thick strip of meat between the turkey breast. So, it's not the same thing as turkey breast. The meat is tender because that part of the bird doesn't get much exercise.

Do you cook a boneless turkey breast at 325 or 350?

1¼- to 1½ -pound boneless turkey breast half: Roast at 325°F for 35 to 40 minutes. 2- to 2½-pound bone-in turkey breast half: Roast at 325°F for 60 to 70 minutes. 2½- to 3-pound boneless turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 40 to 60 minutes. 4- to 6-pound whole turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 1½ to 2¼ hours.