Garlic Herb Roasted Turkey Breast Tenderloins

Published: May 21, 2026
Tiffany MooreTiffany Moore
Categories: Vegetables, Low-Carb
Tags: healthy, High-Protein, Quick Dinner, Low-Carb, Turkey

Herb Roasted Turkey

Tender, juicy turkey tenderloins roasted with garlic and herbs. A fast, healthy dinner solution.

Prep Time:10 minCook Time:25 minTotal Time:35 minServings:4Difficulty:Easy

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories:220 kcal
Protein:38 g
Carbs:2 g
Fat:7 g

Turkey tenderloins are truly the unsung hero of the poultry world. While everyone focuses on the whole bird or standard breasts, these little gems are incredibly lean yet remain remarkably juicy when cooked correctly. They're perfect for those nights when you want a wholesome, protein-packed meal without the fuss of a long roasting process or the dry texture often associated with turkey.

What I love most about this recipe is how the garlic and fresh herbs create a beautiful crust that seals in all the moisture. The hint of lemon juice cuts through the richness of the herbs, giving the turkey a bright, fresh finish. Serve it alongside roasted root vegetables or a crisp green salad for a dinner that feels elegant but takes very little effort to pull together.

Ingredients

  • Turkey breast tenderloins:1.5 lb
  • Olive oil:2 tbsp
  • Garlic, minced:3 cloves
  • Fresh rosemary, finely chopped:1 tsp
  • Fresh thyme, finely chopped:1 tsp
  • Smoked paprika:½ tsp
  • Kosher salt:½ tsp
  • Black pepper:¼ tsp
  • Lemon juice:1 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Prepared greased baking dish and parchment-lined sheet pan for turkey tenderloins.
  2. Pat the turkey tenderloins dry with paper towels to ensure the herb rub sticks well and the meat browns properly.

    Raw turkey breast tenderloins patted dry with paper towels on a cutting board.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon juice to create a paste.

    Garlic, rosemary, thyme, paprika, olive oil, and lemon juice mixed into an herb paste.
  4. Place the tenderloins in the prepared baking dish and rub the herb mixture evenly over all sides of the meat.

    Turkey breast tenderloins coated evenly with garlic herb mixture in a baking dish.
  5. Roast in the center of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.

    Roasted turkey tenderloins with golden herb crust and meat thermometer in the baking dish.
  6. Remove from the oven and transfer the turkey to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing to keep the juices inside.

    Roasted turkey tenderloins resting under a loose foil tent before slicing.
  7. Slice into medallions and serve warm with any pan juices drizzled over the top.

    Sliced turkey tenderloin medallions drizzled with warm pan juices and herbs.

Tips & Notes

  • Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking; turkey tenderloins can go from juicy to dry very quickly once they pass 170°F.
  • If you want a deeper color, you can sear the tenderloins in a hot skillet for 2 minutes per side before placing them in the oven.
  • Try swapping rosemary for sage or oregano if you want to vary the flavor profile.