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Garlic Herb Turkey Tenderloin with Orange is a delicious and easy recipe that cooks up quickly and is packed with so much flavor. With garlic, citrus, and herb seasoning, it is the perfect easy meal for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas meal, or any time of year.

A tablescape filled with sliced turkey, asparagus, mashed potatoes, cranberries and wine.

Why enjoy turkey only one or two times per year or on special occasions? Turkey is scrumptious any time, and this Citrus & Herb Roast Turkey Tenderloin is a new take on turkey dinner you are sure to love. For a real crowd-pleaser, add some yummy side dishes to this Turkey Breast Recipe, a serving of Cranberry Sauce and Sweet Potatoes.

Ingredients

  • Turkey Tenderloin | The best boneless turkey breast is the lean turkey tenderloin cut.
  • Olive Oil | Use oil to coat the bottom of the casserole dish so the breast meat, fruit, and herbs do not stick. You can also use vegetable oil.
  • Orange Juice | My favorite part of the recipe is the great flavor added by the oranges.
  • Garlic Powder | Garlic powder mixes well with salt and pepper, but you can use fresh minced garlic cloves too.
  • Salt & Pepper | Of course, turkey always needs some salt and pepper.
  • Herbs | Thyme, Rosemary, and Sage are the herb mixture used in the savory seasoning mixture that makes this recipe so delicious.
  • Garnishes | Use orange slices, more herbs or fresh herb springs, and more for the garnishes.
Labeled image of ingredients needed to make garlic herb turkey tenderloin with orange.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Orange Overload- For a real flavor punch of orange, marinate the turkey tenderloin in the orange juice and herbs for 1-2 hours, covered and in the fridge. Then add a little orange zest sprinkled over the top after slicing and placing on a platter.
  • Adjust the Profile- Suppose you would like to make this a touch sweeter. You can add a tablespoon of brown sugar to the seasonings. Or kick the temperature up by adding a little bit of paprika or cayenne pepper to taste.
  • Other Meats- Try this same recipe with pork tenderloin or chicken breasts

How To Make Citrus & Herb Turkey Tenderloin

Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Step 1 | Preheat the Oven

Get the oven and pan ready first. Preheat the oven and lightly grease the bottom of a 3-quart baking pan with olive oil or spray with cooking spray.

I like to slice my oranges and wash or chop the herbs at this point, as well.

Step 2 | Prepare the Turkey

Place turkey tenderloins in the middle of the prepared baking dish and pat them dry with a paper towel so the seasonings will stick well. Then add a few orange slices and fresh herbs all around the turkey to infuse it with flavor.

Step 3 | Seasoning the Turkey Tenderloin

Next, pour the freshly squeezed orange juice over the tenderloin. Then measure and season the meat with garlic powder, salt and pepper to your taste, and all three dried herbs.

Collage image of steps to make baked garlic herb turkey tenderloin with orange.

Step 4 | Time to Bake

Now you can cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for the recommended time on the recipe card below. You will want to cook it just until the internal temperature reaches 150°F since it will continue to cook when we broil the turkey and reach the final 165°F.

So, when the internal temperature reaches 150°F, go ahead and remove the foil and place the tenderloin under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully until the top is a light golden brown and the internal temperature reaches that optimal 165°F.

Step 5 | Garnish and Serve

Want to retain all the juices? Be sure to allow ten minutes for the turkey to rest before you slice it up and place it on a gorgeous platter.

While waiting, get your garnishes together, like more fresh orange slices, garlic halves, and fresh herbs, and toss on a few cranberries for color if you desire. Serve with Au Gratin Potatoes or Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes and asparagus or your favorite sides, and enjoy!

Tips

  • Ensure your baking dish is safe for high temperatures and can withstand being under the broiler for 5 minutes.
  • Don’t forget to allow that turkey some rest time to keep it juicy.
  • Infuse the flavors by making a marinade. Take all but the turkey and whisk together to make your marinade ingredients. Then place the entire turkey tenderloin into a zippered bag with the marinade ingredients and place the bag in the fridge overnight.
Garlic herbed sliced turkey on a beautiful white platter garnished with fresh herbs, sliced oranges, and cranberries.

Recipe FAQ’s

What are Turkey Tenderloins?

Glad you asked. The tenderloins are the long strips located under the thickest part of the breast. They are the most tender white meat portion of the bird, and they are low in fat, too.

Can This Recipe Be Made with a Turkey Breast?

Yes, of course! The fresh herbs, tangy orange, and garlicky flavors work well on any part of the whole turkey or even a chicken.

How do you know when the turkey breast tenderloin is done?

The best way to know it is completely cooked and safe to eat is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. 165°F is the right temperature to reach in the final broil of the turkey. Furthermore, when the juices run clear, you know it is ready to serve.

What to Serve with Garlic Herb Roasted Turkey Tenderloin

Is this recipe a pre-Thanksgiving Day trial run? Perhaps you will be making this dish for Christmas this year. Whenever you decide to serve this juicy oven-roasted turkey breast dinner, make it a whole meal with these sides and more located on my site.

Storage

Storage: Leftover turkey tenderloin lasts 3-5 days in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator.

Freeze: Likewise, it can be stored for up to two months in the freezer.

A table with two places settings of turkey dinner.

Other Recipes for the Holidays

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A tablescape filled with sliced turkey, asparagus, mashed potatoes, cranberries and wine.
Recipe
5 from 6 votes

(click stars to rate)

Garlic Herb Turkey Tenderloin with Orange

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Author: Nikki Lee
Garlic Herb Turkey Tenderloin with Orange is a delicious and easy recipe that cooks up quickly and is packed with so much flavor. With garlic, citrus, and herb seasoning, it is the perfect easy meal for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas meal, or any time of year.

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ to 2 pound turkey tenderloin
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt & pepper, to taste
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • extra orange slices and herbs for garnish once plated

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease the bottom of a 3-quart baking pan with oil. (Make sure the pan is safe under high temperatures and can withstand being under the broiler for 5 minutes.)
  • Place the turkey tenderloin in the middle of the baking pan and add a few orange slices and fresh herbs.
  • Pour the orange juice over the tenderloin and season with garlic powder, salt and pepper (adjust to your taste), and dried herbs.
  • Cover the pan with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, just until the internal temperature reaches 150°F (it will continue to cook when we broil and reach 165°F).
  • When the internal temperature reaches 150°F, remove the foil and place the tenderloin under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until the top lightly browns and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Allow the turkey to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with orange slices and fresh herbs. Serve with mashed potatoes and asparagus or your favorite sides. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Ensure your baking dish is safe for high temperatures and can withstand being under the broiler for 5 minutes.
  • Don’t forget to allow that turkey some rest time to keep it juicy.
  • Infuse the flavors by making a marinade. Take all but the turkey and whisk together to make your marinade ingredients. Then place the entire turkey tenderloin into a zippered bag with the marinade ingredients and place the bag in the fridge overnight.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 143kcal (7%) Carbohydrates: 2g (1%) Protein: 26g (52%) Fat: 3g (5%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 51mg (17%) Sodium: 76mg (3%) Potassium: 42mg (1%) Fiber: 0.1g Sugar: 2g (2%) Vitamin A: 46IU (1%) Vitamin C: 10mg (12%) Calcium: 4mg Iron: 0.2mg (1%)

Nutritional Disclaimer

Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

©️Soulfully Made

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This will be perfect as a whole turkey alternative for our small family gathering. Love the combination of orange and herbs with the turkey meat. Thanks!

  2. 5 stars
    Absolutely beautiful holiday main dish recipe! The wonderful, bright flavors of the season make this dish a must-try!

  3. 5 stars
    This detailed step by step recipe is perfect for even a beginner to nail the recipe. I love how beautifully it is plated too.

  4. 5 stars
    We enjoyed this for Sunday dinner last week and the flavors are amazing. It turned out perfectly tender and moist.