Emilie Meyer
Turkey tenderloin is a boneless, skinless portion of the turkey that is easy to prepare and cook. It is a good alternative to cooking a whole turkey, especially for smaller gatherings. Turkey tenderloin can be cooked in a crock pot or slow cooker with minimal prep and cleanup. The cooking time depends on the size of the tenderloin and the heat setting of the crock pot. On average, it takes 2-4 hours to cook on high heat and 4-8 hours on low heat. The internal temperature of the tenderloin should reach 160-165°F for safe consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meat | Boneless turkey tenderloins |
| Marinade | Olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, smashed garlic cloves, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper |
| Marination time | 1 hour to overnight |
| Cooking time | 2-8 hours |
| Temperature | 160-165°F |
| Resting time | 5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the marinade
Next, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until they are evenly mixed. You can also add some broth to the marinade to thin it out if needed. The marinade should be well combined and smell delicious—like a salad dressing!
Now it's time to coat the tenderloins. Place the turkey tenderloins in a large Ziploc bag. Pour the marinade over the tenderloins, seal the bag, and toss to coat. You want to ensure that all sides of the meat are covered in the marinade.
Once the tenderloins are coated, you can place them in the refrigerator to marinate. Leave them for at least one hour, or up to six hours if you have the time. The longer they marinate, the more flavour will infuse into the meat.
If you want to add extra flavour, you can leave the tenderloins to marinate overnight. This step is optional but will result in even more juicy and flavourful meat.
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Cooking temperature and time
The cooking temperature and time for your turkey tenderloin in a crock pot will depend on the size of your tenderloins and the heat settings of your crock pot. It is recommended that you cook the tenderloins on low heat for 6-8 hours, checking the temperature after 4 hours. The meat is done when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165 °Fahrenheit. To avoid overcooking, remove the turkey when the internal temperature reaches 163 °Fahrenheit.
Some recipes suggest cooking the tenderloin on low heat for 4 hours or on high heat for 2 hours. One recipe recommends cooking on high heat for 2-3 hours or on low heat for 4-6 hours. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your tenderloins and the heat settings of your crock pot.
To ensure that your turkey tenderloin is cooked properly, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. The safe consumption temperature for turkey is 165 °Fahrenheit, but you can remove the meat from the crock pot when it reaches 160 °Fahrenheit and let it rest, as the internal temperature will continue to rise. Allowing the meat to rest for 5 minutes after cooking will help the juices redistribute, resulting in juicier and more tender meat.
If you are using an Instant Pot, the cooking time and temperature may vary. One recipe recommends searing the tenderloins first and then using the slow cook mode on high heat for 15 minutes at high pressure. Another recipe suggests using the slow cooker mode on high heat and cooking for 2-3 hours.
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Resting the meat
The meat will continue to cook and the internal temperature will continue to rise to 165°F, which is the safe temperature for consumption. It is important to note that the meat should be removed from the slow cooker when it reaches 160°F to avoid overcooking.
Additionally, resting the meat gives you time to prepare any side dishes that you may be serving with the tenderloin. Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and a green salad are all great options to accompany the main course.
Overall, allowing the turkey tenderloin to rest for a few minutes after cooking is crucial to ensuring a juicy and tender final product.
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Using a meat thermometer
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. It should reach 160°F to 165°F for safe consumption. If you remove the meat from the slow cooker when it hits 160°F and let it rest, the internal temperature will continue to rise and will reach 165°F.
You should start checking the internal temperature at the 90-minute mark, especially if the internal temperature is over 110°F. Check the temperature often after 90 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Allow the turkey to rest for 5 minutes after cooking. This will help the juices to redistribute, resulting in juicier and more tender meat.
A meat thermometer is a great tool to ensure a perfectly cooked turkey. It is an instant-read thermometer that can be used to check the internal temperature of the meat at the thickest portion.
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Adding vegetables and other ingredients
Turkey tenderloin is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of vegetables and side dishes. Here are some ideas for adding vegetables and other ingredients to your crockpot turkey tenderloin:
Choosing Vegetables
When selecting vegetables to add to your crockpot turkey tenderloin, consider those that complement the flavours of the meat and create a well-rounded meal. Hearty vegetables such as butternut squash, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, turnips, rutabaga, mushrooms, radishes, fennel, celeriac, onions, and garlic are all excellent choices. These vegetables can be chopped into ½-inch chunks and placed in the bottom of the crockpot, beneath the meat.
Cooking Time Considerations
Keep in mind that adding vegetables will likely increase the overall cooking time, as they require more time to cook than the turkey tenderloin. To ensure that both the meat and vegetables are cooked properly, it is important to monitor the temperature and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Aromatics and Herbs
Aromatics such as garlic, onions, shallots, and leeks can enhance the flavour of your dish. You can chop them and add them directly to the crockpot, or use them as a flavour base by placing them under the tenderloin to infuse the meat with flavour and prevent sticking. Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or savory sprigs can also be added to the crockpot to infuse the dish with flavour.
Starch Options
Starch options such as potatoes are a classic choice to pair with turkey tenderloin. You can opt for baked potatoes, red potatoes, or au gratin potatoes. If you prefer a low-carb option, try Herb Roasted Rutabagas or Homemade Cauliflower Rice.
Additional Ingredients
Other ingredients that can elevate your crockpot turkey tenderloin include butter or ghee, which adds richness and flavour to the dish. You can also experiment with different seasonings and spices, such as Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dill, oregano, basil, thyme, sage, and pepper. These seasonings can be mixed with the broth and added to the crockpot, or used as a dry rub for the meat.
Side Dishes
To make your meal even more hearty and satisfying, consider serving your crockpot turkey tenderloin with side dishes such as homemade cranberry sauce, stuffing, green beans, broccoli, peas, Brussel sprouts, or a fresh salad. Don't forget to pair it with creamy garlic mashed potatoes and turkey gravy for the ultimate comfort food experience!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 2 and 8 hours to cook a turkey tenderloin in a crock pot, depending on the heat setting. On a high heat setting, it will take 2-3 hours, whereas on a low heat setting, it will take 4-6 hours.
You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the tenderloin. It should reach 160-165°F for safe consumption.
You can marinate the turkey tenderloin in a mixture of olive oil, vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, garlic, herbs, and seasonings. Leave it to marinate for at least one hour, or up to 6 hours, before placing it in the crock pot.
