Looking for a lean, flavorful alternative to chicken? Our lemon herb grilled turkey tenderloin is about to become your new go-to grilling recipe.
This isn’t your average poultry dish. We decided to cook turkey every way to prove it wasn’t boring or bland. And, we did just that with this simple recipe, which starts with tender turkey tenderloins marinated in a bright citrus sauce with fresh herbs before grilling them to juicy perfection. Quick enough for weeknight dinners but impressive enough for guests, these tenderloins prove turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving.
What is a Turkey Tenderloin?
Playing on the fame of beef and pork tenderloins, a turkey tenderloin is a boneless, skinless cut of turkey breast meat known for its tenderness and lean profile. It’s an excellent alternative to chicken and offers a versatile base for a variety of flavors, making it perfect for grilling.
Ingredients for Grilled Turkey Tenderloin
- Lemon Herb Marinade: Swap the cilantro for rosemary and add the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon to our classic, all-purpose chicken marinade for vibrant citrus and aromatic herb flavor infused in every bite.
- Turkey tenderloins: Lean and quick-cooking, perfect for a healthy meal.
- Fresh parsley and lemon zest: Adds a fresh, zesty finish to the grilled meat.
Substitutions
- Marinade: Substitute with any citrus-based marinade, Italian dressing, or a simple garlic and herb mixture.
- Herbs: Rosemary can be replaced with thyme or oregano for a different flavor profile.
How to Make Lemon Herb Grilled Turkey Tenderloin
- Marinate: Combine turkey breast tenderloins with Lemon Chicken Marinade in a ziplock bag; Make sure the bag is seasled well and refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours.
- Prepare Grill: Set up for indirect heat and preheat to 350-375°F.
- Grill: Cook turkey on each side for 7-10 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Rest: Let the turkey rest, tented with foil, for 5 minutes after grilling. The internal temp will increase to 165°F as the turkey rests.
- Serve: Slice the turkey into thin strips and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips for juicy grilled turkey tenderloins
- Grill Preparation: Ensure your grill grates are clean and oiled before cooking to prevent sticking and achieve perfect grill marks.
- Cooking Evenly: Don’t be afraid to rotate and flip the tenderloins during grilling to ensure even cooking, especially since they can vary in thickness.
- Checking Doneness: Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature accurately without overcooking.
How to Serve Grilled Turkey Tenderloin
Serve these tenderloins sliced with a drizzle of lemon butter, garnished with fresh parsley. They pair wonderfully with side dishes like a light salad, grilled vegetables, or over a creamy risotto.
How to Store Grilled Turkey Tenderloin
Cool the grilled turkey tenderloin completely before storing it in an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 2 months.
To Reheat: Place the turkey tenderloin in a covered skillet over low heat or in an oven preheated to 275°F. Heat gently until just warmed through to maintain moisture and prevent drying out, about 7 to 10 minutes.
More easy turkey breast recipes
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Fire up your grill for this bright, flavorful take on turkey tenderloin. Bathed in a zesty lemon marinade and kissed by flame, these lean tenderloins stay remarkably juicy while picking up subtle smoky notes from the grill.
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Marinate the turkey tenderloin:
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Remove the turkey from the package and pat dry with a paper towel.
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Whip up the lemon chicken marinade by following our recipe, swapping the cilantro for rosemary, and amixing in the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
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Place the tenderloins in a large resealable ziplock bag.
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Pour the marinade over the turkey and move them around to coat all sides.
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Seal the bag and let it marinade for at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours.
Preheat the grill
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Preheat your grill with a two-zone fire for indirect heat. Clean and oil the grill grates.
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Close the lid and let the grill come to 350 to 375 degrees F. See our notes for charcoal, gas, and pellet grills.
Grill the turkey tenderloin:
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Remove the turkey tenderloin from the marinade and discard excess marinade.
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Place the tenderloins on the hot side of the grill and adjust the heat as needed to avoid flare-ups.
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Grill for about 7 to 10 minutes with the lid closed.
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Carefully flip the turkey tenderloins and grill for another 7 to 10 minutes until the turkey reaches 160 degrees F internally with a digital thermometer.
Rest and Serve
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Using long tongs, carefully transfer the turkey from the grill to a cutting board to rest.
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Meanwhile, combine the lemon zest with the melted butter.
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Dab the lemon butter over the turkey and let it rest 5 minutes.
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Slice the grilled turkey into thin ¼” slices, against the grain, and serve with a punch of minced parsley and salt and pepper, if desired.
- According to the USDA, turkey is safe to eat at 165 degrees F. We cook ours to 160, then let it rise another 5 degrees to 165°F before slicing and serving.
- Because turkey tenderloins are thicker on one side than the other, do not be afraid to rotate them for even cooking.
For a charcoal grill:
- Prep the turkey tenderloins as directed.
- Preheat your grill for a two-zone fire by arranging lit coals on one side of the grill.
- Place the grill grate on top and cover with the lid.
- Adjust the air vents for airflow to let the grill preheat to 350-375 degrees F.
- Grill the tenderloins as directed.
- We recommend Cowboy Brand hardwood briquets for real hardwood flavor when grilling.
For a gas grill:
- Prep the turkey tenderloins as directed.
- Preheat your grill by turning on all the burners.
- Clean and oil the grill grates.
- Create a two-zone fire by turning off 2 of the 4 (or 1 of the 3) burners, close the lid, and allowing the grill to preheat to 350-375 degrees F.
- When the grill has preheated, grill the turkey tenderloins as directed.
- Adjust the burners as needed to maintain the temp and avoid flare-ups.
- Don’t hesitate to rotate the turkey as needed for even cooking.
For a pellet grill:
- Prep the turkey tenderloins as directed.
- Preheat your pellet grill for 375 degrees F.
- Clean and oil the grill grates.
- When the grill has preheated, grill the turkey directly on the grill grates, rotating as needed to for even cooking.
- Because most pellet grills don’t have a hot or cool side, you will need to pay close attention to the turkey internal temp while cooking.
- We recommend B&B Championship blend or Jack Daniel’s Charcoal pellets when grilling on opur pellet smoker.
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 990mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 0.02g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 207IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.2mg
