Turkey Tenderloin In Air Fryer (& Other Cooking Methods)
This Turkey Tenderloin is rubbed with olive oil, garlic, spices, and herbs before cooking up to juicy, tender perfection in the Air Fryer! Cooks in only 45 minutes, making it a great option for Thanksgiving or even just an easy weeknight meal!
Tasty Turkey Cooked To Perfection
Impress all your guests with this easy-to-make Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin at this year’s Thanksgiving meal! The slices of moist, flavorful turkey that have been seasoned in a simple homemade rub will disappear quicker than the pies at dessert time!
What Is Turkey Tenderloin?
Turkey Tenderloin is the most tender cut of turkey that’s located right on the inside of the turkey breast. This cut of turkey stays perfectly tender when cooked, making it a great slice of meat for Thanksgiving!
Even though this Turkey Tenderloin is a great choice for Thanksgiving, it’s truly easy enough to make even on weeknights! Made with just pantry staple herbs and spices and ready in 45 minutes, it could even turn into being one of your go-to meals!
Rebecca’s Recipe Review
Taste: Herby, garlicky, spiced turkey breast with a delicious depth of flavor.
Texture: Tender and moist.
Ease: 3/10
Pros: This recipe can be cooked in the air fryer, oven, crockpot, instant pot, and even in the smoker! We’re just featuring the air fryer method because it’s so simple!
Cons: None.
Would I Make This Again? Yes, This Turkey Tenderloin serves up enough meat for a smaller Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving! Which is great when you don’t want to roast an entire turkey!
This recipe is truly amazing. I tried it and it turned out very nice.
– Ruth
Turkey Tenderloin Ingredients
This Turkey Tenderloin Recipe is super easy to make since it uses ingredients you likely already have on hand! With the one exception being the turkey tenderloin itself and the fresh herbs.
You should have no problem finding a turkey tenderloin at your local grocery store! Just keep in mind that you’ll want to check both the refrigerated and frozen sections at the grocery store.
Once you’ve selected your tenderloin it’s time to work on the homemade seasoning rub. To make this you’ll need garlic paste, minced thyme, minced sage, minced rosemary, salt, ground black pepper, chili powder, and paprika.
The spices and herbs are then whisked together with olive oil. This finished seasoning mixture is then rubbed all over the tenderloin before air frying.
How To Make Turkey Tenderloin In Air Fryer
- Prepare the air fryer by preheating it and spraying the basket with olive oil or avacado oil spray.
- Whisk together the oil, garlic, herbs, and spices in a small bowl.
- Rub the seasoning all over the tenderloin and place it in the air fryer basket.
- Air Fry the tenderloin for half of the cooking time. Then flip it over and finish cooking it.
- Allow the turkey to rest before slicing and serving!
Alternative Cooking Methods
Turkey Tenderloin In Oven
1. Rub the seasoning mixture all over the tenderloin.
2. Sear the turkey in olive oil in an oven-safe skillet.
3. Place the skillet in the oven and bake.
Turkey Tenderloin In Crockpot
1. Create a bed of onions and garlic on the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Rub the seasoning mixture all over the tenderloin.
3. Place the turkey on top of the bed of onions and garlic.
4. Slow cook on low until the turkey is cooked all the way through.
Turkey Tenderloin In Smoker
1. Rub the seasoning mixture all over the tenderloin.
2. Place the seasoned turkey onto a foil lined roasting pan.
3. Cook in the smoker until done.
Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloin
1. Add chicken broth to the instant pot and fit it with the trivet insert.
2. Rub the seasoning mixture all over the tenderloin.
3. Place the turkey breast into the instant pot and cook at high pressure.
4. Release the pressure naturally and then serve!
Rebecca’s Tips
- To check for doneness, use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the meat. Once the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F it’s ready to enjoy!
- Chili powder doesn’t make this recipe spicy! Instead, it simply adds some dimensional flavor to the turkey. This heightens it from the traditional garlic and herb flavor profile.
- The garlic paste can easily be replaced with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- As long as your air fryer basket is big enough to hold more than one tenderloin, you can cook more than one at a time. Keep in mind there should be space between each tenderloin when cooking so that the air can circulate around them.
- It’s important to allow the turkey a few minutes to rest before slicing and serving. The resting time allows the juices in the turkey to redistribute. This creates the moist, juicy meat that we all look forward to on Thanksgiving!
- This recipe uses 2 pounds of turkey tenderloin which will feed 4 people. If you’re looking to serve a larger number of people check out my Perfect Thanksgiving Roast Turkey Recipe!
How To Store Cooked Turkey In The Fridge
You can keep cooked Turkey Tenderloin in an airtight container in the fridge for up 3 to 4 days. The leftovers are absolutely delicious when used up in my Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Sliders!
How Can I Crisp Up The Tenderloin After Cooking It In The Crockpot?
Easy, after it has finished cooking in the crockpot transfer the tenderloin to a baking dish. Then place it in the oven on low broil until it reaches your desired coloring and crispiness.
Keep a close, watchful eye during this process. Broiling tends to happen very quickly and we don’t want to ruin the tenderloin!
Can I Use The Seasoning Rub As A Marinade?
You certainly can if you prefer a deeper flavor! I personally like the ease and quickness of this method and it still delivers incredible flavor!
Here are more delicious turkey recipes to check out & cook up!
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast – Juicy, tender turkey that’s ready to slice into after 45 minutes of cooking!
- Perfect Thanksgiving Roast Turkey – Made with a lemon butter injection marinade that delivers perfectly moist and flavorful meat, great for a 12 to 25lb turkey!
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast – Only 5 ingredients and very minimal prep, a win-win!
- Warm & Spicy Smoked Turkey Breast – Tender, juicy turkey that’s cooked right in the smoker!
- Herb Roasted Turkey Breast – Herb-infused butter coats the entire turkey breast!
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let leave a review in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos, or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there.
Turkey Tenderloin In Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon minced thyme
- 1 teaspoon minced sage
- 1 teaspoon minced rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chile powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 2 lbs turkey tenderloin
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and spray with olive oil or avocado oil spray, do not use PAM.
- Combine the oil, garlic, herbs, and spices together in a small bowl.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the tenderloin and place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave space between the tenderloins if cooking more than one at a time so that air can circulate.
- Air fry the turkey for 20 minutes, then flip and fry for another 20 to 25 minutes until the tenderloins reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the turkey rest for 10 minutes before slicing and enjoying.
Notes
- Each turkey breast should feed 2 people – this makes this recipe a great option for an easy weeknight dinner or small Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving.
- Even though there’s chili powder in the seasoning blend, the flavor is not spicy, it simply adds some dimensional flavor to the turkey that heightens it from the traditional garlic and herb flavor profile.
- Slow Cooker Directions: Place the seasoned turkey in the crockpot on top of a bed of onions and garlic (this helps prevent it from sticking and adds more flavor. Cook until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 3 to 4 hours on low. If you want a golden and crisp skin, once the turkey breast is done cooking in the slow cooker, transfer it to a baking dish and broil on low for a few minutes until desired coloring and crispiness is reached.
- Oven Directions: Sear the turkey in olive oil in an oven-safe skillet for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to the oven and bake at 400 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Smoker Directions: Cook the seasoned turkey breast on a foil-lined roasting pan at 325 degrees F for 1.5 to 2 hours or until 165 degrees F.
- Instant Pot Directions: Add 1 cup of chicken broth to the instant pot and fit it with the trivet insert. Add the seasoned turkey breast and set to cook for 18 minutes at high pressure then allow the pressure to release naturally.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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This recipe is truly amazing. I tried it and it turned out very nice.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Ruth!