If you love the flavor of Thanksgiving turkey but don't want the hassle of roasting a whole bird, this Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin is the perfect solution! It's tender, juicy, and full of classic holiday flavors thanks to a simple garlic and herb rub made with rosemary, thyme, and sage.
Cooking turkey tenderloin in the air fryer gives you juicy, flavorful white meat without the hours upon hours of roasting. There's no skin to crisp, which is why I like to coat the tenderloins in a savory herb blend that caramelizes on the outside, giving them a perfect golden-brown finish!
This recipe is ideal for smaller Thanksgiving gatherings, easy holiday dinners, or anytime you're craving turkey without the extra work.
When I'm making a full holiday meal, I like to serve turkey breast tenderloins with my easy brioche stuffing, brown sugar honey glazed carrots, and green bean casserole with cream of chicken soup.
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Ingredient Notes
- Turkey tenderloins - Look for a 2-pack weighing between 1 ½ to 2 pounds. Many brands come pre-brined or packed in a salt solution. Check the ingredient label and take note, because I will instruct you to add more salt to the herb rub if the tenderloins are not packed in brine.
- Herb rub - A savory, smoky blend of rosemary, sage, thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. It gives the turkey classic Thanksgiving flavors!
- Brown sugar - Helps the herb rub caramelize as it cooks, adding color and depth without making the turkey taste sweet.
- Olive oil - Adds moisture and helps the seasoning stick. Since turkey tenderloin has no skin, the oil keeps the outside juicy and flavorful.
*See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Recipe Variations
This air fryer turkey tenderloin recipe is perfect to use as a base while you play around with different flavor combinations.
- I recently updated this recipe so that it would fit in better on the Thanksgiving dinner table. My original recipe leaned into Italian flavors using an Italian dressing marinade made with Italian seasoning, olive oil, lemon, and red wine vinegar.
- I think the maple mustard glaze I use in this chicken thigh sheet pan dinner recipe would taste amazing brushed onto the tenderloins before air frying.
- The Dijon and herb rub from my cast-iron pork tenderloin recipe would be just as delicious on turkey tenderloin. The mustard binds the herbs onto the meat!
Step-by-Step Instructions with Photos
- Combine the olive oil, dried herbs, and seasonings in a small dish to form a paste.
- Rinse the turkey tenderloins and pat dry with paper towels.
- Coat the tenderloins on all sides with the olive oil and herb rub.
- Place the seasoned tenderloins in your air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Cook the tenderloins until their internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. Remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
- Each tenderloin will weigh ¾ to 1 full pound. They're about the same size as a large chicken breast.
- The oil-and-herb rub should have a consistency similar to a thick paste.
- I like to place them in a bowl and then use my hands to coat every nook and cranny with the herb rub.
- Place the tenderloins at the bottom of your air fryer basket in an even layer, without overlapping.
- Flip them once partway through cooking. You can do this at the 12-15 minute mark.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check for doneness. Keep cooking them until they're at least 165°F.
More Recipe Tips
- Check for added salt: Turkey tenderloins are often pre-brined, meaning they've been soaked in a salt solution to stay juicy during cooking. Check the ingredients label and sodium content before adding too much extra salt to the herb rub.
- Rinse and pat dry: If your tenderloins are packed in a salt solution, give them a quick rinse and pat dry. This will help to remove some of the excess salt and help the herb rub stick to the meat better.
- Air fryer differences: Every air fryer cooks a little differently. This recipe is specifically for a basket-style air fryer. I use this Cosori Turbo Blaze Air Fryer, and so far, I love it. Keep in mind that different air fryer brands may cook tenderloins at different rates.
Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This turkey and white bean soup is a great way to repurpose leftovers!
- Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute at a time, until desired warmth is achieved. Alternatively, you can reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes or until heated through.
- To freeze, let the tenderloins cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Turkey tenderloin is a long, thin strip of meat located beneath the turkey breast. It comes from an underused muscle on the turkey, making it very tender! Compared to turkey cutlets, cutlets are thinly sliced pieces of turkey breast. Even though both tenderloins and cutlets are white meat that comes from the turkey breast, they are not interchangeable in this recipe.
More Recipes to Try
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Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin with Herb Rub
Ingredients
- 2 turkey tenderloins about 1.5 - 2 pounds total
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt see notes
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Make the herb rub. In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, sage, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. Drizzle in the olive oil and stir until a thick paste forms.
- Prepare the turkey tenderloins. Remove the tenderloins from the package, rinse if they're packed in a brine or liquid, and pat dry with paper towels.
- Season the turkey. Rub the herb paste all over both tenderloins, coating both sides evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360° for 3 minutes.
- Air fry. Place the tenderloins in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rest and serve. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- Many turkey tenderloins are sold pre-brined or packed in a salt solution. Check the ingredients and nutrition label. If you see salt or sodium listed, your tenderloins are already seasoned, and you should not add more than what I call for in the recipe ingredients. If they're not pre-brined, you can increase the kosher salt in the herb rub to 1 teaspoon.
- Every air fryer cooks a little differently. This recipe is specifically for a basket-style air fryer. I use this Cosori Turbo Blaze Air Fryer, and so far, I love it. Keep in mind that different air fryer brands may cook tenderloins at different rates.
- The nutrition information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.
Katie says