Looking for a healthy, delicious, and quick meal that’s packed with flavor? Grilling turkey breast tenderloin is your answer! This lean cut of poultry cooks beautifully on the grill, offering a tender, juicy bite with a lovely smoky char. It’s incredibly versatile, easy to prepare, and a fantastic option for a weeknight dinner or a weekend get-together.
In this friendly guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to grill turkey breast tenderloin like a pro. From simple prep to essential grilling techniques and smart tips, you’ll be serving up perfectly cooked, flavorful turkey in no time.
Contents
- 1 Why Grill Turkey Breast Tenderloin?
- 2 Gather Your Essentials: What You’ll Need
- 3 Your Step-by-Step Guide to Grilling Turkey Breast Tenderloin
- 4 Tips for a Perfectly Grilled Turkey Tenderloin
- 5 Delicious Serving Ideas
- 6 Flavor Booster Ideas: Marinades & Rubs
- 7 Storing Leftovers
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 9 Get Grilling!
Why Grill Turkey Breast Tenderloin?
- Quick Cooking: Tenderloins are relatively small and cook much faster than a whole turkey or larger cuts.
- Healthy & Lean: Turkey breast is a fantastic source of lean protein, making it a great choice for a balanced diet.
- Flavor Absorption: Its mild flavor makes it a perfect canvas for absorbing marinades and rubs, allowing you to get creative with spices.
- Delicious Char: Grilling adds an irresistible smoky flavor and a beautiful browned crust that you just can’t get from other cooking methods.
Gather Your Essentials: What You’ll Need
Ingredients:
- 1-1.5 pounds turkey breast tenderloin (usually 2 pieces per package)
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (or your preferred cooking oil)
- Basic Seasoning Blend:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika for extra flavor!)
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary (crushed)
Equipment:
- Outdoor grill (gas or charcoal)
- Tongs
- Meat thermometer (a digital instant-read is highly recommended!)
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Foil (for resting)
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Grilling Turkey Breast Tenderloin
Step 1: Prep Your Turkey Tenderloin
First things first, let’s get that turkey ready!
- Pat Dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the turkey tenderloins dry. This helps your seasoning stick better and promotes a nicer sear.
- Trim & Clean: Look for any silver skin (a shiny, silvery membrane) or excess fat. Trim these off with a sharp knife, as they can be tough when cooked.
- Oil Up: Drizzle the tenderloins with olive oil and rub it evenly over the entire surface. This helps the seasonings adhere and prevents sticking to the grill.
- Season Generously: Sprinkle your chosen seasoning blend (like the one above, or your own favorite rub) generously over all sides of the turkey. Gently rub it in.
- Optional Marinating: For extra flavor and tenderness, you can marinate the turkey for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours, in the refrigerator. Just remember to pat it dry again before grilling if using a wet marinade.
Step 2: Get Your Grill Ready
Proper grill setup is key for perfect results.
- Clean Grates: Always start with clean grill grates. This prevents sticking and ensures those beautiful grill marks.
- Preheat: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, aiming for a temperature between 400-450°F (200-230°C).
- Set Up Two Zones: For best results, create a two-zone grilling setup. On a gas grill, this means turning one or two burners to high (direct heat) and leaving another burner off or on low (indirect heat). For charcoal, pile coals to one side for direct heat and leave the other side empty for indirect.
Step 3: Time to Grill!
Let’s get cooking!
- Sear for a Crust: Place the seasoned turkey tenderloins directly over the high heat (direct zone). Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, turning with tongs, until you get a nice golden-brown crust. This locks in juices and adds fantastic flavor.
- Move to Indirect Heat: Once seared, move the tenderloins to the cooler, indirect heat zone of your grill.
- Close the Lid: Close the grill lid. This helps maintain a consistent temperature and cooks the turkey more evenly, similar to an oven.
- Cook to Temperature: Continue cooking on indirect heat, flipping occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer at the thickest part of the tenderloin. For a 1-1.5 lb tenderloin, this typically takes about 20-30 minutes after searing.
Step 4: Rest, Rest, Rest
This step is crucial for juicy turkey!
- Transfer & Tent: Once your turkey reaches 165°F, remove it from the grill and place it on a clean cutting board. Loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
- Let It Rest: Allow the turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a much more tender and moist final product. Skipping this step will result in dry turkey!
Step 5: Slice and Serve
The best part!
- Slice Against the Grain: After resting, slice the turkey tenderloins against the grain into ½-inch thick medallions. This makes each bite extra tender.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes!
Tips for a Perfectly Grilled Turkey Tenderloin
- Use a Meat Thermometer: This is the single most important tip! Don’t guess. Cook to 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s safe and perfectly cooked, not overcooked and dry.
- Don’t Skip the Rest: We can’t stress this enough. Resting is vital for juicy meat.
- Clean Grill Grates: It prevents sticking and helps create beautiful grill marks.
- Two-Zone Grilling: This technique allows you to get a great sear without burning the outside before the inside is cooked.
- Marinate for Flavor & Moisture: Marinades add incredible flavor and help keep the turkey moist.
Delicious Serving Ideas
Grilled turkey tenderloin pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with roasted vegetables, a fresh green salad, creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or wholesome quinoa.
Flavor Booster Ideas: Marinades & Rubs
Feeling adventurous? Here are some ideas to elevate your turkey:
- Lemon-Herb: Fresh lemon juice, zest, garlic, and herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano.
- Spicy Southwest: Chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic, and a pinch of cayenne.
- Garlic-Parmesan: Minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and Italian herbs.
- Smoky BBQ: Your favorite BBQ rub, perhaps mixed with a little apple cider vinegar or Worcestershire sauce.
Storing Leftovers
Cooked turkey tenderloin can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What temperature should I grill turkey tenderloin to?
Always grill turkey tenderloin until its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) as measured with a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part.
How long does it take to grill turkey tenderloin?
For a typical 1-1.5 pound turkey tenderloin, it usually takes about 20-30 minutes total, including searing time. However, time can vary based on grill temperature and thickness, so always rely on your meat thermometer.
Do you flip turkey tenderloin on the grill?
Yes, you’ll flip it once or twice during the initial searing phase (3-4 minutes per side). Once moved to indirect heat, you might flip it once or twice more to ensure even cooking, but it’s not strictly necessary if your indirect zone maintains an even temperature.
Do you close the grill lid when cooking turkey tenderloin?
Yes, keeping the grill lid closed is recommended, especially when cooking on indirect heat. It helps to circulate heat, cook the turkey more evenly, and maintain the desired internal temperature of the grill.
How do I keep turkey tenderloin moist on the grill?
The best ways to keep it moist are to avoid overcooking (use a thermometer!), marinate it before grilling, and always allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes after removing it from the heat.
Get Grilling!
Grilling turkey breast tenderloin is a fantastic way to enjoy a lean, flavorful meal that’s both impressive and surprisingly simple. With these easy steps and helpful tips, you’re ready to fire up your grill and create a juicy, tender turkey that everyone will love. Happy grilling!