Delicious Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloins

Turkey is a celebrated centerpiece for Thanksgiving and other winter holidays, but its lean, versatile meat is truly a delight to enjoy all year round. While a whole roasted turkey might be the traditional star, it often comes with a significant cooking commitment and the challenge of carving. This Instant Pot recipe offers a fantastic alternative: an easy-to-slice main dish that eliminates the fuss of skin, bones, or a massive roasting pan.

Turkey tenderloins are premium cuts from the turkey breast, specifically chosen for their tenderness and boneless nature. Their smaller size makes them ideal for intimate gatherings, smaller families, or simply incorporating healthy protein into your regular meal rotation outside of the holiday rush. The mild flavor profile of turkey tenderloins makes them incredibly adaptable, pairing beautifully with a vast array of side dishes – from classic roasted vegetables to vibrant salads (explore my collection of healthy Thanksgiving sides for inspiration!).

Using the Instant Pot not only speeds up the cooking process but also ensures consistently moist and flavorful results. The pressure cooking environment locks in juices, preventing the meat from drying out, which is a common concern with turkey. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this simple yet sophisticated dish that brings the taste of the holidays to your table any day of the year.

Crafting the perfect Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloins starts with selecting high-quality ingredients and understanding how each contributes to the final delicious outcome. Here are the key components you’ll need:

• Turkey Breast Tenderloins: These are the star of our dish. Also known as boneless turkey breasts, they are a wonderfully lean source of protein. Pressure cooking them is the secret to locking in moisture, resulting in turkey that is incredibly juicy and never dry. When shopping, look for turkey tenderloins in the meat section of your local grocery store. If you can’t find them readily available, don’t hesitate to ask your butcher for this specific boneless cut from the turkey breast. They often come pre-portioned, making meal prep even easier.
• Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil serves a crucial purpose in this recipe. It acts as a binder, helping our chosen seasonings adhere evenly to the turkey’s surface, ensuring every bite is flavorful. Beyond its functional role, olive oil also contributes healthy monounsaturated fats, adding a subtle richness to the overall taste.
• Italian Seasoning: This aromatic blend is our go-to for adding depth and a familiar, comforting flavor that complements a wide range of side dishes. It typically includes herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, along with a hint of marjoram. Paired with a simple sprinkle of salt and black pepper, it creates a balanced profile. Feel free to customize! If Italian seasoning isn’t your preference, consider fresh rosemary, dried sage, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or simply a robust blend of coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Experiment with what you love! For more ideas, check out our guide on the best substitutes for Italian seasoning.
• Water: Essential for the Instant Pot to build pressure, water creates the steam that cooks the turkey to perfection. While the turkey cooks on a trivet above the water, the steam ensures even heat distribution and tender results.

Remember, the full ingredient list with precise measurements can be found in the detailed recipe card at the end of this post, making it easy to gather everything you need.

Cooking turkey tenderloins in your Instant Pot offers a multitude of advantages that make it a superior choice for busy households, health-conscious eaters, and anyone seeking a delicious, no-fuss meal. Here’s why this recipe should be a staple in your kitchen:

• Effortless & Quick: The Instant Pot significantly reduces cooking time compared to traditional oven roasting. From initial prep to serving, you’re looking at a total time of just 40 minutes! This means a gourmet-quality meal can be on your table even on the busiest weeknights.
• Guaranteed Tenderness & Juiciness: The magic of pressure cooking lies in its ability to lock in moisture. High-pressure steam cooks the turkey quickly and evenly, preventing it from drying out. The result is consistently tender, succulent turkey that melts in your mouth every single time.
• Health-Conscious Protein: Turkey tenderloins are naturally lean, offering a fantastic source of high-quality protein without excessive fat. This makes them an excellent choice for those following a clean eating lifestyle, managing weight, or simply prioritizing nutritious meals.
• Incredible Versatility: Once cooked, these tenderloins are a blank canvas for culinary creativity. Slice them for elegant main courses, shred them for quick weeknight tacos, add them to vibrant salads, stuff them into sandwiches, or incorporate them into comforting casseroles. The possibilities are truly endless, ensuring leftovers are never boring.
• Simplified Holiday Cooking: For Thanksgiving or other holidays, this recipe allows you to enjoy a festive turkey without the hassle of roasting a whole bird. It frees up oven space for other dishes and reduces carving stress, making your holiday cooking experience much smoother.
• Easy Cleanup: Cooking in a single pot minimizes dirty dishes. The Instant Pot’s non-stick inner pot is usually very easy to clean, saving you precious time and effort after your meal.

Embrace the convenience and deliciousness of Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloins and elevate your home cooking game!

Follow these simple steps to prepare flavorful and juicy Instant Pot Turkey Tenderloins that will become a staple in your kitchen:

Step One: Prepare the Seasoning Mix. In a small bowl, combine your chosen dried herbs (such as Italian seasoning or oregano), sea salt, and ground black pepper. Mix them thoroughly until well combined. This ensures an even distribution of flavor across the turkey.

Step Two: Prepare and Season the Turkey. Begin by patting the turkey tenderloins thoroughly dry on all sides using clean paper towels. Removing excess moisture is crucial for allowing the oil and seasonings to adhere properly. Next, drizzle the olive oil over the turkey, then use your hands or a pastry brush to ensure it’s evenly coated. Finally, sprinkle your prepared seasoning mix generously over both sides of the tenderloins, pressing lightly to help the spices stick.

Carefully transfer your perfectly cooked Instant Pot turkey breast to a cutting board. For optimal tenderness, allow the turkey to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in an even more succulent texture. Slice it thinly against the grain for the best eating experience, then serve hot!

If you’re preparing this for a special occasion, you might want to loosely cover it with aluminum foil while you finish preparing your delicious meal. We are confident that this easy turkey tenderloin recipe will become a family favorite, perfect for both small holiday gatherings and everyday dinners. Elevate your meal by topping your sliced turkey with my homemade Dairy-Free Gravy recipe for an extra touch of flavor and richness.

For a complete Thanksgiving or holiday spread, pair your tender turkey with delectable side dishes such as Instant Pot Baby Potatoes, richly flavored Instant Pot Candied Yams, bright and tangy Instant Pot Cranberry Relish, or a comforting Instant Pot Pumpkin Custard. These pairings will create a memorable and satisfying culinary experience.

• 2 (12-ounce) turkey tenderloins (or boneless turkey breasts or boneless chicken breasts)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup water (for cooking)

Instructions

1. Pat both sides of the turkey tenderloin dry with a clean paper towel to ensure seasonings adhere well.
2. Evenly coat both sides of the turkey with olive oil using your hands or a pastry brush.
3. In a small bowl, combine the dried oregano (or Italian seasoning), salt, and pepper. Stir to mix, then sprinkle generously on top of the turkey, pressing lightly.
4. Place the trivet into a 6-quart Instant Pot and add one cup of water to the bottom.
5. Carefully place the seasoned turkey tenderloins on top of the trivet, ensuring they are not submerged in the water.
6. Secure the Instant Pot lid, make sure the sealing valve is set to “Sealing,” and set the pressure cook time to 10 minutes on high pressure.
7. Once cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then, carefully use the quick release method to vent any remaining pressure until the float valve drops.
8. Remove the lid, and using tongs, transfer the turkey to a cutting board. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice against the grain and serve hot.

1. If you prefer to cook just one turkey tenderloin, you can easily cut this recipe in half. The cooking time remains the same for a single tenderloin as it does for two, as pressure cooking relies on thickness, not quantity.
2. The total preparation and cooking time for this recipe accounts for approximately 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure, followed by the 10 minutes of active pressure cooking, and finally, 10 minutes of natural pressure release. This brings the total time to about 30 minutes of hands-off cooking, plus 10 minutes of prep.
3. Store any leftover cooked turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It can be enjoyed cold in sandwiches or salads, or gently reheated. Consider using it in our delicious recipe for Instant Pot Turkey Vegetable Soup.
4. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your seasonings! You can swap the Italian seasoning for your favorite fresh or dried herbs and spices. Popular choices include fresh rosemary and thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of cayenne for a subtle kick. For more inspiration, refer to our list of substitutes for Italian seasoning.
5. Always ensure the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer for food safety.