The BEST Easy Turkey Tenderloin Recipe | Tender, Juicy, & Flavorful

This turkey tenderloin recipe is loaded with flavor and wonderfully easy to make. The juicy turkey tenderloin is coated in a simple yet incredibly delicious marinade, and then it's roasted to perfection making for one of the best turkey recipes of all time. And, to make it even better, only 3 simple steps and a handful of simple ingredients are all you need to make this easy turkey recipe!

The Best Turkey Tenderloin Recipe

If you love turkey, just wait until you try this easy turkey tenderloin recipe.

I mean, it's got all the same flavor as a perfectly roasted turkey breast, except it's even juicier and more tender. Plus, the combination of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, dijon mustard, and savory herbs that make the marinade creates an elevated mouthwatering flavor that will keep you coming back for more.

With that said though, this baked turkey tenderloin is not just delicious, but it's so easy to make too. There are only 5 minutes of active cooking required to make it. Then, all you have to do is let the turkey marinate and bake.

That means you can have this turkey breast tenderloin on the table for dinner in under an hour! And with hardly any work - or effort - put in from you.

Also, while it's marinating and baking, you'll have plenty of time to make some equally delicious sides to go with it. Sides like these cheesy mashed potatoes, these honey glazed carrots, or this corn souffle. Making these will give you all of the elements of a delicious Thanksgiving dinner!

Ingredients

As I mentioned above earlier, the ingredient list for this turkey tenderloin recipe is pretty simple.

In fact, you probably have almost all the ingredients you'll need in your house already to make. If not, a quick trip to the grocery store is well worth it and will be the hardest part of this recipe. 

Anyway, here's what you'll need to make this turkey tenderloin recipe:

• 2 turkey breast tenderloins
• 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 ½ tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• ½ tbsp. fresh chopped thyme
• ½ tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

See, that's not too bad, right?

Tukey Breasts Vs. Turkey Breast Tenderloins

Now, just keep in mind that turkey tenderloins and turkey breasts are not the same things. Some people think they are, but they aren't.

To clarify, the difference between a whole turkey breast and a turkey breast tenderloin is that tenderloins are a different part of the turkey - they're located from between the breasts - and they're usually easier to eat - and much more tender - than turkey breasts.

Also, usually, turkey tenderloins come without the skin on them and they are boneless. Turkey breasts, on the other hand, usually have the bone still in them and the skin still on them. Turkey breasts are also a much more muscular piece of meat - so they're tougher to eat.

Marinade Substitutions

Now, if you're in a pinch and don't have - or can't find - some of the ingredients to make the marinade with I have some suggestions for substitutions.

So, as far as the apple cider vinegar goes, you can swap it for white balsamic vinegar and the marinade will still be just as delicious.

Also, you can also swap the dijon mustard for brown mustard as well. This is a really great substitute if you want the marinade to be less spicy.

With that said, I think the marinade is perfect just the way it is, but feel free to change it up if you want.

Oh, and speaking of the marinade, I use a lot of the same ingredients to make the sauce in this Alice Springs chicken. It's a copycat recipe of the dish from Outback Steakhouse and it's just delicious. So, you might want to check that out next if you end up with some extra ingredients of the marinade.

How To Make Roasted Turkey Tenderloin

Now onto the fun part, it's time to make some baked turkey tenderloin!

As I mentioned earlier, this recipe is super simple, even if you've never cooked a turkey before. Seriously, all you have to do is mix the marinade ingredients, combine 'em with the tenderloins, and then bake everything in the oven - that's it!

Pretty easy, right?!

Anyway, let's stop wasting time and make some turkey tenderloins!

Step 1: Marinade The Turkey Tenderloin

First things first, you're going to make the marinade for your turkey breast tenderloins.

To do this, you'll want to take out a large bowl and add the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, garlic thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to it. Then, go ahead and give all of the marinade ingredients a good whisk until they fully combine. 

Next, place the turkey tenderloins in the bowl with the marinade and toss to coat it. Then you can cover the bowl and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes, or overnight if you want to let the flavors infuse even more.

Step 2: Bake The Turkey Tenderloin

Now, once your turkey tenderloins have marinated for long enough, you can preheat your oven to 350°F (180ºC).

Then, place the turkey tenderloin in a baking dish so it can hold the extra marinade, and bake it for 30-40 minutes - or until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 3: Serve

Finally, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Letting it rest is key to getting it to retain its juices and stay nice and tender.

Then, after 10 minutes is up, you can slice the baked turkey tenderloins and serve 'em some sides like these redskin mashed potatoes and brown gravy.

Enjoy!

How To Store Roasted Turkey Tenderloin

This recipe for turkey tenderloin will make about 6 large servings. 

So it makes for the perfect big family dinner or main course if you're hosting. Honestly, it's so delicious that it can take the place of a whole turkey on Thanksgiving - you might just want to make a whole mess of 'em if that's the route you choose to take.

Anyway, if you happen to have some turkey left over, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Alternatively, if you want your turkey breast tenderloin to last even longer, you can store the leftovers in an airtight container - or freezer-safe bag - and freeze them for 4-6 months.

How To Reheat Turkey Tenderloin

Now, to reheat your leftover turkey tenderloin, I recommend using the oven. So, to reheat them there, just place your turkey tenderloins in a baking dish - with a little broth or any leftover marinade you have - and put it in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes - or until the turkey tenderloins are fully warmed through.

Wrapping It Up

Well, that's how to cook turkey tenderloin!

It's crazy how easy it is to perfectly cook turkey tenderloins, isn't it?!

Seriously, this turkey cooks perfectly every single time, and it's so, so easy to make.

Plus, every time I make this, everyone always loves it - even the kids! Plus, the flavor is so versatile that you can pair it with pretty much any side you want.

Anyway, I hope you like this baked turkey tenderloin recipe as much as my family and I do.

As always, if you try this turkey recipe, leave a comment below and let us know how it went!

More Dinner Recipes

If you loved this turkey tenderloin recipe and you're looking for more easy dinner recipes just like it, we have a bunch on the blog you can try next! 

Here are some of our favorites: 

• Baked turkey wings
• Chicken pot pie casserole
• Ground turkey casserole
  
• Italian chicken cutlets
• Chicken and shrimp alfredo

Also, for even more deliciousness, don't forget to follow us along on Tiktok, Youtube, and Instagram. We post new ones on them every single day.

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