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The Best Turkey Tenderloin Recipe

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3.9 from 8 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (including 1 hour marinating minimum)
  • Yield: 4-6 servings
  • Diet: Halal

Description

This Best Turkey Tenderloin Recipe delivers juicy, flavorful turkey tenderloins marinated in a vibrant blend of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and herbs. The tenderloins are seared to develop a beautiful crust before being oven-baked to perfect tenderness. This method ensures a moist, savory dish perfect for a healthy family meal or meal prepping, with simple ingredients and easy steps.

Ingredients

Marinade Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons (45mL) extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tablespoons (45mL) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 and ½ Tablespoons (19g) firmly packed light brown sugar (or maple syrup)
  • 3 medium cloves of garlic (minced)
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Main Ingredient

  • 24 ounces (680g) turkey tenderloin

Instructions

  1. Prepare Marinade: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar (or maple syrup), minced garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
  2. Marinate Turkey: Place the turkey tenderloins into the bowl or a large zip-top bag and coat thoroughly with the marinade. Cover or seal, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally up to 24 hours to maximize flavor.
  3. Preheat Oven: Once marinated, preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC) to prepare for baking the turkey.
  4. Heat Skillet: Warm a 10-inch cast iron or heavy-bottomed oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a bit of olive oil and swirl to coat the pan evenly.
  5. Sear Turkey: Using tongs, transfer the turkey tenderloins to the hot skillet. Sear each side for about 2-3 minutes until nicely browned. Avoid moving the tenderloins during searing to develop a good crust.
  6. Bake Turkey: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake the seared turkey for 20-22 minutes. Remove and check the internal temperature with a digital instant-read thermometer; it should be at least 160ºF (71ºC). If not, bake for an additional 2 minutes.
  7. Rest Turkey: Remove the skillet from the oven and tent the tenderloins with foil. Let them rest for 10 minutes; the internal temperature will continue to rise to the safe 165ºF (74ºC).
  8. Serve and Store: Slice and serve the tenderloins immediately. Store any leftovers covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. For freezing, it is best to freeze after searing but before baking, or freeze fully baked tenderloins and reheat as needed.

Notes

  • Marinate for up to 24 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
  • Use a digital instant-read thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches safe internal temperature.
  • Resting the meat after baking helps retain its juices and finish cooking through residual heat.
  • Freezing after searing preserves freshness and allows easy prep for future meals.
  • Reheat frozen turkey by baking from step 6, adding extra baking time as necessary.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/the-best-turkey-tenderloin-recipe/