Easy Baked Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (With Onions)

If you're looking for a simple baked turkey tenderloin recipe, this is the one! This Easy Baked Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (With Onions) is juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. Whether you're preparing a cozy family dinner or a special holiday meal, this turkey tenderloin recipe is sure to impress.

If you like this recipe you might like my rosemary and garlic pork tenderloin or my mojo turkey tenderloin.

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Originally published November 2021 and updated for content on February 2025.

Baking turkey tenderloin is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a flavorful, juicy meal without the hassle of roasting a whole bird. This oven-baked turkey tenderloin recipe delivers perfectly tender meat with a golden, caramelized exterior, thanks to a simple yet delicious marinade.

The secret? A touch of apple cider vinegar in the marinade enhances the turkey's natural flavor and keeps it moist while roasting. Paired with soft, sweet onions and apples, and can be cooked to perfection in a cast iron skillet, this dish is both effortless and impressive. Whether you're looking for a healthier alternative to traditional turkey dishes or a quick and satisfying weeknight meal, this roasted turkey tenderloin is a must-try.

Cooking turkey breast tenderloin in the oven guarantees a foolproof result every time. Unlike a full turkey breast, which can take hours to cook, these tenderloins are oven-roasted in under an hour, making them perfect for busy evenings or small holiday gatherings.

You can also make this in a slow cooker for an even more hands-off approach, though I prefer the crisp, golden edges that come from roasting. Serve this cooked turkey tenderloin alongside a green bean casserole for a well-rounded meal that's as easy as it is delicious.

Turkey is always a nice option for the upcoming holidays. This makes a great idea for an intimate family meal, and it also is a great recipe for just just two! Save any leftovers to reheat (makes a great meal prep idea!). 

I'm not sure how to explain how delicious this tenderloin truly is! It is so tender and the apple and onion sauce is incredible! My husband just loves it and so do the kids! I did make extra sauce to have on the side...you could use it again during the week even with chicken breasts as long as it wasn't combined already with the turkey. Let's get onto to this tasty turkey recipe!

💖Why you'll love roast turkey tenderloin

✔ Easy & Quick - No need for a full turkey; this baked turkey tenderloin cooks in under an hour.
✔ Juicy & Flavorful - The simple turkey tenderloin marinade with apple cider vinegar keeps it moist and tender.
✔ Versatile - Serve with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or a classic green bean casserole.
✔ Healthy Option - A lean protein that's lighter than dark meat but still incredibly satisfying.
✔ Perfect for Any Occasion - Great for weeknight dinners or as an alternative to a full oven-roasted turkey on Thanksgiving.

What is Turkey Tenderloin?

Turkey tenderloin is the boneless, skinless portion of turkey breast. It's incredibly tender and absorbs flavors well, making it ideal for marinades and seasonings.

How to Cook Turkey Tenderloin in the Oven

I start by marinating the tenderloin with olive oil, seasoning and some dried herbs.For this particular recipe, I keep it simple with the olive oil (extra-virgin Sicilian olive oil that I love), salt, pepper and some dried herbs (a dried herb combo my Italian mother-in-law Teresa made me!). It really could be left to marinate overnight or even right before cooking (sometimes I forget to marinate it and put it together even 30 minutes before).

Step 1: Marinate the Turkey

The flavorful turkey tenderloin comes together pretty quickly. The apple and onions are incredible. I usually make extra to have on the side to serve as like an apple compote. It goes so nicely with these instant pot mashed potatoes and these lovely roasted Brussel sprouts.

1. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, dried herbs, seasoning.
2. Place the turkey tenderloin in a ziplock bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally overnight for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple & Onion Sauce

The next part of the recipe is the delicious apple and onion sauce. Once you gather all your ingredients for the apple and onion sauce, you cook them together in a skillet. Sauté them all together until they soften. Check the seasoning as you're cooking and you could adjust by adding more vinegar or a splash of apple juice.

Gather the ingredients.

1. Heat a large skillet. orcast iron skillet over medium heat.
2. Add oil and sauté onions for 3 minutes.
3. Add apples and cook for another 5 minutes.
4. Stir in apple cider vinegar, applesauce, chicken stock, and coconut aminos.
5. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Bake the Turkey Tenderloin

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Remove turkey from marinade.
3. Spoon the apple mixture into a foil lined baking pan or casserole.
4. I add turkey tenderloin on top of the apple + onion sauce and some fresh sage. It all gets roasted together until the tenderloin is juicy and tender. Add a spoonful more of apple sauce if you want it a bit thicker. I used apple cider vinegar but even rice wine vinegar or white wine vinegar would work great (really, whatever vinegar you have in your pantry).
5. I tossed in some whole garlic cloves around the turkey.
6. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F

Step 4: Rest & Serve

1. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
2. Serve with green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, or roasted Brussels sprouts.

How Long to Cook Turkey Tenderloin in the Oven?

• At 350°F, cook for 40-45 minutes.
• At 375°F, cook for 30-35 minutes.
• Always use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F at the thickest part.

What to serve with turkey tenderloin

Looking for the perfect side dishes? Here are some great options:

• Green bean casserole >>> You could try my Italian green beans made with a little bit of garlic.
• Mashed potatoes >>> If you have an instant pot, these are super easy to make!
• Oven-roasted Brussels sprouts >>> A touch of balsamic vinegar makes these Brussels sprouts extra tasty.
• Sweet potato mash >>> Make mashed or even baked sweet potatoes.
• Crusty bread >>> A great homemade bread is always a good idea!

How long should I marinate my turkey breast tenderloin?

The tenderloin will be more flavorful the more time you marinate it. Most often I try plan and marinate it overnight. Sometimes I forget and remember in morning, so 6 hours is enough. But truly overnight is ideal.

Last minute is fine, too! Sometimes I put the marinate together 30 minutes-1 hour before and the tenderloin still comes out tender and delicious.

Because of the acid of the vinegar, I wouldn't marinade it for more than 2 days. But for this recipe, I really like marinating 8 hours for a really moist and tasty tenderloin.

🫙 Leftover and Storing

• Refrigerate: The turkey and apple sauce could be stored in an airtight plastic or glass container in the fridge for 3 days.
• To reheat: Reheat any leftovers in a skillet on medium low heat (or a on a plate in the microwave).

📃 Substitutions & Variations turkey tenderloin recipe oven

• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
• Garlic Herb Turkey Tenderloin: Use fresh minced garlic and Italian seasoning instead of paprika.
• Citrus Glaze: Substitute apple cider vinegar with fresh orange juice for a citrusy flavor.
• Slow Cooker Method: Cook on low for 4-5 hours for a hands-off meal.
• Instant Pot Version: Use the poultry setting for 15 minutes with a quick release.
• No Apples? Swap them with pears or cranberries for a seasonal twist.

FAQ's

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Easy Baked Turkey Tenderloin Recipe (With Onions)

If you're looking for a simple baked turkey tenderloin recipe, this is the one! This oven-roasted turkey tenderloin is juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. Whether you're preparing a cozy family dinner or a special holiday meal, this turkey tenderloin recipe is sure to impress.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time40 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: gluten-free, paleo, turkey, Whole30

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 293kcal

Author: Lora

Ingredients

Turkey tenderloin:

• 1.5 pound turkey tenderloin you could use pork if you can't find turkey tenderloin
• 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 2 teaspoons salt divided
• 2 teaspoons pepper divided
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• dried herbs I have a combo of rosemary and sage, but either one alone would work

Apple and onion sauce:

• 1 large sweet onion peeled and sliced ¼″ thick
• 2 medium apples cored, peeled and sliced ¼″ thick
• ½ cup apple sauce
• 1 cup chicken stock I used my own homemade that was low-sodium. Store bought is fine as long as low-sodium
• 2 Tablespoons coconut aminos
• 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• fresh sage you could use rosemary or thyme
• garlic cloves optional: you could add a few peeled garlic cloves into the pan before roasting

Instructions

Turkey tenderloin:

• The night before, or even 30 minutes before is fine, pat the turkey tenderloin dry. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and 1 teaspoon paprika.
• Add the turkey tenderloin into a large zipped lock bag (or airtight container). Add a tablespoon of olive and if you have it in a zipped lock sealed bag, squish it all around the seasoning and oil.
• When you're ready to cook it (you could prep this the night before or even day of cooking), remove from the refrigerator. Line a baking pan or a casserole with foil paper.
• Preheat your oven to 425º with the oven rack in the middle.

Apple and onion sauce:

• Place a medium sized skillet on medium heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.
• Once skillet is heated up, add the apples and onions.
• Saute' until apples and onions soften.
• Add the apple sauce, chicken stock, coconut aminos, and vinegar. Cook until the sauce begins to thicken a little. If it seems to be too thick, add a few drops of water. Check the flavoring and add more apple sauce or a splash of vinegar, if needed.
• Add the apple and onion sauce to the foil lined baking pan.
• Place the tenderloin on top of the apple and onion sauce.
• Sprinkle on the remaining salt, pepper, and paprika on top of the tenderloin and a drizzle of olive oil. If you have any fresh sage (rosemary or even thyme), add to the pan around tenderloin. If you would like to add some garlic, go ahead and add a few peeled cloves around the turkey. It will add even more flavor.
• Place the baking pan in the heated oven.
• When it's halfway through being cooked, check the sauce and if it's thickened too much, and if it seems too dry, add ¼ cup more of water (more if needed).
• Lower the heat to 375F for the last 10 minutes of cooking time.
• Bake until tenderloin reaches 160 degrees F in thickest part (about 30-40 minutes, every oven is different).
• Remove turkey tenderloin from the oven and let rest for at least five minutes to lock in juices. Slice and place on a serving plate with the apple/onion sauce. Serve with a side of roasted potatoes and your favorite green vegetables.

Nutrition Disclaimer

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.

Notes

• I used coconut amino acids. You could use your favorite tamari sauce (to stay gluten-free)or low sodium soy sauce (if you're not gluten-free).
• Refrigerate turkey within two hours and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• You could sub the apple cider vinegar with another vinegar that you have in your pantry. Rice vinegar would work great!
• You could use pork tenderloin if you can't find turkey tenderloin.
• IF using pork: Bake at 350F until pork is 150 degrees internally at the widest part of the tenderloin (about 25 minutes.)

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 1534mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 509IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

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