Garlic Herb Turkey Tenderloin with Orange

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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.

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Recipe!
Ingredients
Variations and Substitutions
How To Make Citrus & Herb Turkey Tenderloin
Tips
Recipe FAQ's
What to Serve with Garlic Herb Roasted Turkey Tenderloin
Storage
Other Recipes for the Holidays
Garlic Herb Turkey Tenderloin with Orange
Comments

Why We Love This Recipe!

Meal for 2- Easily make this recipe a meal for two using just one tenderloin.
Low-Fat- If you are trying o slim down a bit before the holidays, this is a great recipe to help you keep on track.
Quick and Easy- This turkey dinner is prepared and cooked in just 35 minutes for an easy weeknight meal anytime!

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.

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 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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Garlic Herb Turkey Tenderloin with Orange

Why We Love This Recipe!

Ingredients

Variations and Substitutions