The most tender, melt in your mouth turkey tenderloins you will every enjoy. Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins are juicy, delicious and slow cooker simple. Plus … gravy! What’s not to love?
I get more and more requests for recipes that will work to serve only two or three people. This delectable Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins recipe is a perfect answer to that request.
It definitely makes sense to me, now that we’re officially empty-nesters. With five kids from 21 to 38 that process has taken awhile, so we’ve had plenty of time to adjust to the idea of it.
But, what I haven’t adjusted to is not cooking for 7 – 15 people at a time. lol It’s a lot harder than it sounds, if you’re not used to it. I grew up cooking for that many and my own family is the same size. It’s just ingrained in me after 50+ years in the kitchen.
This scrumptious Crockpot Turkey Tenderloin recipe is a good first step in that paring things down direction, though. You’re gonna love this easy recipe for tender, juicy turkey tenderloins.
And the great news is you can make it to feed only two or three, but you can also scale it up and feed a large family.
The Ingredients
- Turkey Tenderloins
- Butter
- All Purpose Flour (or Gluten Free Flour blend)
- Chicken Broth (My Homemade Chicken Broth recipe has the best flavor, but store-bought is quick and works well, too.)
- Whole Milk
- Turkey Gravy Mix packets
- Homemade Chicken Bouillon Powder (Again, I recommend homemade for the best flavor, but use your favorite. IMPORTANT: My homemade chicken bouillon is made to be lower sodium, so start with half the amount and adjust as you taste, if you’re using commercial bouillon.)
- Homemade All Purpose Seasoning (As always, I recommend homemade for the best flavor, but if you have a favorite brand on hand, of course, use that.)
What is a Turkey Tenderloin?
Turkey tenderloins are boneless skinless portions of white meat turkey. This long and narrow, super tender piece of meat is cut from between the turkey breasts. There is one tenderloin on either side of the breast bone. Since that muscle gets very little exercise, the turkey tenderloin is prized as the most tender part of the turkey.
Why Use Turkey Gravy Mix Packets?
You already know I prefer to make most things from scratch, for maximum flavor, health and grocery budget savings.
I know you’ll be shocked to hear me say it. But, this is one case, where a strictly homemade option isn’t possible if I want the turkey flavor instead of chicken flavor.
I do live in a small town. And, perhaps I don’t have access to the same products as you do. But in this area, turkey broth or turkey bouillon are not available.
If I roasted a whole turkey and then cooked down the bones with some veggies, I could make turkey broth. But, for a quick and easy every day solution, my alternative is the turkey gravy mix packet.
And since I actually do make gravy from scratch for this recipe, the packet is used purely to impart turkey flavor.
If I find an alternative, in the future, I will definitely update this post and let you know.
Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Turkey
- At the very top of the list of benefits is that, especially over the holidays, your oven is freed for lots of other dishes. A whole turkey takes lots of oven space. Make turkey tenderloins in your slow cooker and save the oven for cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, dinner rolls and pies!
- This Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins is geared to small group cooking. Or even cooking for just two. This Turkey tenderloin recipe, as written, makes 3 generous servings. Click the 2x or 3x option in the recipe card, to scale it up for 6 or 9 people. With all the other sides you’re serving, you’ll like have enough leftovers to make a tiny Thanksgiving Casserole or some delicious Turkey Avocado Sandwiches.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloins
How to Make Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins
Make the Roux
- In a saucepan, melt the butter.
- Whisk in the flour and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Whisk continuously to prevent scorching.
Finish the Gravy
- Whisk the chicken bouillon powder and all purpose seasoning into the chicken broth.
- Add the chicken broth to the pan and whisk over medium heat until all the lumps are gone and the butter/flour mixture is fully incorporated into the chicken broth.
- Add the milk and whisk.
- Pour in the turkey gravy mix.
- Continue whisking over medium heat until gravy is thickened and smooth. Set aside while you prep the turkey tenderloins.
Prep the Turkey for Cooking
- Pat the turkey tenderloins dry with a paper towel.
- Salt and pepper the turkey tenderloins on both sides.
- Place the turkey tenderloins in the bottom of your slow cooker insert.
- Pour the turkey gravy over the tenderloins.
Cook and Serve Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins
- Place a lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 hours.
- Remove the tenderloins to a platter to rest when they reach an internal temperature of 160 to 165° F. The turkey will continue to cook, from residual heat, even after it is removed from the crockpot. So, by allowing it to rest, the juices will redistribute and the turkey will reach the USDA recommended safe temperature of 165°. Be careful not to overcook the tenderloins.
- Whisk the gravy to make sure it’s smooth and then transfer it to a bowl or gravy boat.
- Serve the turkey and gravy with your favorite side dishes.
Do you need dessert for just 1 or 2 or 3 people, too? Check out this delicious Peach Cobbler for One from Lisa, over at Little Bit Recipes.
I hope you get a chance to make this yummy Turkey Tenderloins recipe! And that it’s serves you well for making special dinners for small and intimate dinner parties or even just dinner for two.
If you enjoy it, please consider coming back and leaving a comment with a 5 star rating, to let me know you tried the recipe. Your 5 star rating helps others find our recipe when doing a search on Google. Thanks so much!
The Recipe
Print
Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins with Gravy
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
Description
The most tender, melt in your mouth turkey tenderloins you will every enjoy. Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins are juicy, delicious and slow cooker simple. Plus … gravy! What’s not to love? As written it will serve 3 people generously! To feed a crowd, use the 2x and 3x buttons in the recipe card to adjust the recipe for serving up to 9.
Ingredients
The Turkey Tenderloins:
- 1 1/2 lbs. turkey cutlets (1 – 1.5 lb. pkgs.)
For the Gravy:
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 1/4 cups Chicken Broth
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 Turkey Gravy Packet
- 1 teaspoon homemade chicken bouillon (or your favorite store brand)
- 1/2 teaspoon homemade all purpose seasoning (or your favorite store brand)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, melt the butter.
- Whisk in the flour and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Whisk continuously to prevent scorching.
- Whisk the chicken bouillon powder and all purpose seasoning into the chicken broth.
- Add the chicken broth to the pan and whisk over medium heat until all the lumps are gone and the butter/flour mixture is fully incorporated into the chicken broth.
- Add the milk and whisk.
- Pour in the turkey gravy mix.
- Continue whisking over medium heat until gravy is thickened and smooth. Set aside while you prep the turkey tenderloins.
- Pat the turkey tenderloins dry with a paper towel.
- Salt and pepper the turkey tenderloins on both sides.
- Place the turkey tenderloins in the bottom of your slow cooker insert.
- Pour the turkey gravy over the tenderloins.
- Place a lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 hours.
- Remove the tenderloins to a platter to rest when they reach an internal temperature of 160 to 165° F. The turkey will continue to cook, from residual heat, even after it is removed from the crockpot. So, by allowing it to rest, the juices will redistribute and the turkey will reach the USDA recommended safe temperature of 165°. Be careful not to overcook the tenderloins.
- Whisk the gravy to make sure it’s smooth and then transfer it to a bowl or gravy boat.
- Serve the turkey and gravy with your favorite side dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 min
- Category: Main Dish, Turkey Recipes, Holiday Recipes
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
About Glenda
I believe cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated and that YOU can do it. My simple recipes, tutorials, and cooking tips will help you get weeknight dinners on the table with less stress. Forget takeout or the drive-thru. Let me show you how to make homemade easy. Read more...
I want to do the 3X recipe. Can I put 4.5 lbs. of meat in the crock pot at once? I have a pretty good sized crock pot, It is oval shaped. But I think the only way would be to stack the tenderloins on top of each other. And I just don’t know if they would cook well that way.
Laura, yes. I frequently stack chicken, cube steaks and even roasts in the crockpot and have no issue. Check them about half way through and rearrange them if it seems like your slow cooker isn’t cooking evenly. I have a large 6.5 quart oval slow cooker and have had no issues with filling it full for cooking.
How long if I make it using frozen tenderloins?
Hi S.F. I know some people do add frozen meat to slow cookers, but this is not recommended by the USDA or manufacturers as the slow cooker won’t be able to bring the meat up to a safe temperature quickly enough. That leaves time for bacteria to grow. Since I haven’t done it personally, and don’t believe it’s safe, I’m not comfortable recommending a cooking time.
Yumz! Easy to make, extremely tasty, and the turkey was extra juicy. Thank you for sharing this recipe, it’s fantastic!
Extra kudos for mentioning gluten free flour (I have Celiac Disease, so when searching for recipes I generally include phrase “gluten free,” which is what lead me to this deliciousness).
Shann, I’m so happy you were able to enjoy it!
This recipe looks delicious. However I have several questions: you used the chicken bouillon and all purpose seasoning in steps 3 and 6. You also made a gravy from scratch and then you added a turkey gravy packet? I would like to try this recipe, but want to understand the steps before I get started. Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi Rose! Yes. As I mentioned in the post, the turkey gravy packet was not my first choice, but as there is nothing called turkey bouillon available in my small-town middle America community, it’s what I used. Happily, it turned out wonderfully. The turkey gravy packet is used as a flavoring only. Not to make the actual gravy per the package instructions. It’s one ingredient in the gravy I make.
P.S. I edited Step 6 so the recipe doesn’t say to add bouillon and seasoning salt twice. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I really appreciate it!