Dinner

Easy Crockpot Turkey Tenderloin Recipe

ByJamie September 4, 2023December 25, 2023

The best kind of family meal is a simple meal, in my opinion. This juicy crockpot turkey tenderloin recipe is the best way to enjoy a delicious turkey dinner without slaving over a whole turkey for hours on end. Let your slow cooker work its magic as it transforms tender turkey tenderloin into a flavorful masterpiece. You certainly don’t need to wait for the holiday season or a special occasion for this meal!

crockpot turkey tenderloin with gravy on top

Thanksgiving dinner is one of my family’s favorite meals. So much so that we aim to eat it once a month. Seriously. The turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls. The whole kit and caboodle.

The thing is, we don’t need to make a whole turkey every month for our family of five. That would result in either waste or leftover turkey for days. So we opt to go with turkey tenderloin instead.

This slow cooker turkey tenderloin recipe is so darn easy to put together and great for a family meal or a small Thanksgiving get-together. No need to thaw a huge turkey and prepare it all day. You simply season the turkey, throw it in the crockpot and let the slow cooker do the rest!

Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Turkey Tenderloin Recipe

Simple Turkey Dinner Anytime! – Just set it and forget it while you run errands, clean, make the sides, or just live your dang life. You’ll have an easy family-friendly dinner thanks to the slow cooker doing its thing.
This turkey tenderloin is delicious! Reminiscent of Thanksgiving and all the autumnal goodness that it provides, you’re going to feel like it’s Thanksgiving even if it isn’t.
Make it work for you! If you don’t have all the spices, no big deal. Leave out what you want and add others if you wish. You really can’t go wrong here.
It’s a great alternative for small gatherings – It’s a great way to make a small Thanksgiving gathering easier! No need to make a whole turkey that may just go to waste otherwise!

Ingredients

Turkey Breast Tenderloins – The white meat of the turkey.
Chicken Stock or Chicken Broth – This serves as the cooking liquid necessary for the tenderloin so it doesn’t dry out.
Paprika, Thyme, Sage, Oregano, and Dill – I add all these spices to a small bowl and sprinkle it over the turkey tenderloin.
Garlic – I mince the garlic. You could also use a tablespoon of garlic powder instead.
Onion – Yellow onion or white onion work well with this recipe.
Carrots
Black Pepper and Salt to Taste

See recipe card for quantities.

Step-By-Step Instructions (With Video!)

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown on how to make this crockpot turkey tenderloin recipe:

chopped carrots, minced garlic, sliced white onion on cutting board

Step 1: Roughly chop the carrots and onion and mince the garlic.

uncooked turkey tenderloin in the crockpot with spices on it

Step 2: Season the thawed turkey breast tenderloin with paprika, dill, thyme, oregano, sage, salt, and pepper. Place turkey tenderloin into the crockpot.

turkey tenderloin in the crockpot with chicken stock

Step 3: Pour the chicken stock over the turkey tenderloins.

all the ingredients in the crockpot ready to cook

Step 4: Add the garlic, onions, and carrots to the crockpot. Expect the turkey tenderloin to cook for 3-4 hours (cooking time will vary depending on slow cooker). If cooking on high heat, it should take about 2 1/2 hours. If cooking on low, it will be closer to 4 hours.

turkey dinner with gravy on top, mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans

Pair this main dish of juicy turkey tenderloins with its favorite side dish: creamy garlic mashed potatoes and turkey gravy!

Hint: Use a meat thermometer to make sure the turkey is fully cooked. It will need to be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To correctly measure the temperature, make sure you have the thermometer in the thickest portion of the meat.

What to Pair with Crockpot Turkey Tenderloin

Turkey tenderloin covers the protein part of your meal, but there is so much more you can add to it to make it a well rounded meal!

Potatoes – Nothing beats one of my favorite side dishes– homemade mashed potatoes and gravy as a side dish to turkey. You could also make baked potatoes, red potatoes, or au gratin potatoes.
Veggies – Green beans (or green bean casserole) are a classic, but truly, anything goes–a fresh salad, broccoli, peas, carrots, Brussel sprouts–any vegetable would pair well with turkey.
Cranberry Sauce – Homemade cranberry sauce balances out the flavors of Thanksgiving so perfectly.
Stuffing – I mean, enough said. 😉

Equipment

Storage

Make sure the tenderloin is cooled off before transferring it to the fridge. It will last 4-5 days refrigerated in an air tight container.

If you wish to freeze the tenderloin, wrap it in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil for up to 2-3 months.

Top Tip for Delicious Results

Make sure to keep an eye on your turkey tenderloin! Crockpot temperatures can vary greatly. The low or high setting on my slow cooker could be different from yours. After a couple hours, make sure to check on the tenderloin and take the internal temperature to see where it’s at. Make sure to check back every 30 minutes or so as it cooks. This will ensure that you don’t end up with dry turkey!

turkey tenderloin sliced with mashed potatoes in the background

FAQ

What is a turkey tenderloin?

A turkey tenderloin is a boneless and skinless cut of meat from the turkey breast. It is lean and tender, making it an excellent choice for slow cooking in a crockpot.

Can I use a whole turkey breast instead of a turkey tenderloin?

Yes, you can use a whole turkey breast in your crockpot, but keep in mind that it may take longer to cook than turkey tenderloin due to its larger size.

Do I need to thaw the turkey tenderloin before putting it in the crockpot?

Yes, you want to make sure the turkey tenderloin is already thawed before putting it in the slow cooker. If you don’t, it will result in a change in cooking time and uneven temperature throughout the meat.

How long should I cook the turkey tenderloin in the crockpot?

You will need to cook the tenderloin for 5 hours on the low setting or 2 1/2 hours on the high setting. Make sure to take the temperature with a meat thermometer of the turkey tenderloin before consuming. The internal temperature must be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Should I sear the turkey tenderloin before placing it in the crockpot?

No, that’s not necessary for this recipe. You certainly can if you wish!

My turkey tenderloin is dry. What happened?

More than likely, you let it cook for too long. Crockpot temperatures can vary, so it’s important to check on the tenderloin after a couple hours to make sure it’s not already done. If it cooks for too long in the crockpot, it will get dry.

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