Grilled Turkey Breast Tenderloin

Move over, chicken breast! Today, we are going to learn how to grill turkey breast tenderloin. This easy grilled turkey breast is marinated in maple syrup, mustard, balsamic vinegar, and rosemary. Serve it with some grilled veggies for an easy summer meal everyone will love. 

In my opinion, turkey breast tenderloins are one of the most underutilized proteins. They're a great alternative to chicken breast and just as versatile. Plus, they're high in protein, low in fat, and a blank canvas for flavor. While many of us only think about turkey breast around Thanksgiving, today, I want to encourage you to cook with this delicious protein all year long. 

Since it's summer, what better way to use this protein than on the grill? When cooking turkey tenderloin, think of it like a chicken breast or pork tenderloin. First, add lots of flavor with marinade or dry rub. Then you want to cook it until it is just cooked through so it stays nice and juicy. It's really easy, and the result is good!

Looking for more ways to cook with turkey tenderloin? Don't miss this easy Baked Turkey Tenderloin, Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloin, Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin, and Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloin.

Why You Should Start Grilling Turkey Tenderloins

• Great alternative to chicken: If you are sick of grilling chicken, it’s time to grill some turkey!
• High in protein, low in fat: Turkey breast is very high in protein and low in fat, making it a great healthy protein that works in many different dishes.
• Versatile: Not only can you season turkey in many different ways, but you can also serve grilled turkey in many dishes and meals, from salads to tacos to wraps and more.

Looking for more grilling recipes with turkey? Try these Cowboy Turkey Burgers, Grilled Turkey Lula Kebabs, and Turkey Apple Burgers.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here is everything you need for this delicious grilled marinated turkey breast.

• Turkey breast tenderloins: Turkey breast tenderloins are boneless and skinless. They are a lean cut of meat taken from the inner portion of the turkey breast, similar to a chicken breast tenderloin. You can find turkey breast tenderloins in the poultry section, packed in cryovac bags. Look for the unseasoned options. Usually, there are 2 tenderloins per package, weight .75-1 lb each.
• Maple syrup: I love the combination of turkey and maple syrup. For a less sweet marinade, feel free to use less maple syrup. You can swap in honey or brown sugar to taste.
• Olive oil: Oil is essential in marinades to distribute the flavors evenly and help lock in moisture to prevent dryness. However, any oil can be used.
• Dijon mustard: Dijon or grainy mustard is one of my favorite marinade ingredients, especially when paired with maple syrup and herbs. It adds so much flavor.
• Balsamic vinegar: Vinegar helps tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. It is slightly sweet, so it complements the other flavors in this recipe. You can swap in any vinegar you like.
• Kosher salt: salt is extremely important for adding flavor.
• Rosemary: You can use any fresh or dried herbs in the marinade, including rosemary, thyme, parsley, oregano, or basil.
• Allspice: This unexpected ingredient adds so much flavor to this turkey breast and makes it special. Skip it or swap in nutmeg or cinnamon if you don’t love allspice; just don’t overdo it since the flavor is strong.

How to Grill Turkey Breast Tenderloins

You can grill turkey tenderloins if you know how to grill chicken breast. Here’s what to do!

1. Add Flavor

If you have time, I always recommend marinating turkey since it adds flavor and helps tenderize it so it doesn’t dry out. For this recipe, combine the olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, rosemary, and allspice. You can also add minced garlic, lemon juice, fresh herbs, balsamic vinegar, or other flavor additions.

If you don’t have time to marinate, I recommend coating the turkey breast in olive oil and adding a dry rub, seasoning blend, or season liberally with salt and pepper.

2. Grill

Always preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 375-400 degrees. Ensure the grill grates are nice and clean so the turkey won’t stick. If your grill tends to stick, oil the grates carefully.

Remove the room-temperature turkey from the marinade and let the excess moisture drip off. Place the tenderloin directly on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes until it has nice brown grill marks and easily releases from the grill. Flip the tenderloin and cook for another 5-7 minutes.

At this point, you want to check the internal temperature. It should reach 155 degrees. If it still hasn’t reached that internal temperature, turn down the heat on one side of the grill to low (or off). Move the tenderloin to that side so it can continue to cook with indirect heat until it reaches 155 degrees.

3. Let Rest

Remove the turkey tenderloin from the grill and tent with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 5-15 minutes. During this time, the internal temperature should rise to 165 degrees, a safe temperature for the turkey breast.

Once rested, slice the turkey against the grain into small slices or medallions. If you set some aside, drizzle with extra marinade.

Best Grilled Side Dishes

If I am cooking on the grill, I also want to make my side dishes or choose some no-cook options. Here are some of our favorite side dishes for grilled dinners.

• Grilled vegetables: Serve with some grilled cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, or potatoes.
• Grilled fruit: Add some sweetness to your dish (think cranberry sauce!) with grilled apples, watermelon, or pineapple.
• Salads and more: Make a refreshing salad like this easy cucumber salad, corn salad, or spring mix salad.
• Rice, grains, or beans: Another easy option is to grab some precooked frozen rice or quinoa. Or serve it with some canned black beans or baked beans.

Tips for Moist, Juicy Turkey Every Time

Grilling turkey breast tenderloin can be tricky since turkey breast is lean and can quickly dry out. Here are five tips and tricks to help you grill turkey breast tenderloin successfully:

1. Marinate the Turkey: Marinating the turkey breast tenderloin for at least 2-4 hours before grilling will help to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. This is one of the best ways to avoid dry, flavorless meat.
2. Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to ensure your turkey isn’t overcooked and dry or, worse, raw is to use a meat thermometer. Cook the thickest part of the turkey breast to 155 degrees and then let it rest. During that time, the temperature will raise to 165 degrees, the recommended turkey breast temperature.
3. Avoid Over-Flipping: If possible, try only to flip the tenderloin once while cooking. When the meat is constantly flipped and messed with, it becomes tough and can lose moisture.
4. Let it Rest: Always let the turkey breast rest before serving, at least 5-10 minutes, tented with foil. This allows the juices to re-distribute and keeps the meat nice and tender. If you cut it and juice runs everywhere, you aren’t letting it rest long enough.

Marinade, Spice Rubs, and Flavor Variations

Think of a turkey breast tenderloin just like a chicken breast or pork tenderloin - it’s a blank slate for flavor. You can season it with marinades, dry rubs, and more. Here are some of our favorites.

• Cajun seasoning or blackening seasoning
• Lemon pepper
• Balsamic marinade
• Teriyaki sauce
• Sriracha barbecue
• Honey chipotle
• Cilantro lime
• Italian dressing
• Barbecue sauce or rub

Leftovers and Meal Prep

If you love batch cooking and meal prep, this recipe is great! The leftovers can be used in many different recipes. Store the cooked turkey in an airtight container for 4-5 days.

Here are some ways to use the leftovers. Hint: You can use grilled turkey breast anywhere you would use grilled chicken breast.

• Turkey veggie wraps
• Turkey grain bowls
• Turkey tacos
• Pasta salad
• Stir-fries
• Enchiladas
• Quesadillas
• Turkey sandwiches
• Green salads