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
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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...
Love it! This is going to be my turkey on Thanksgiving. Easy and less stress. Thanks for sharing.
Talas Greta, yay for less stress! I’m so glad the recipe helped. Happy Thanksgiving!
This is one of the easiest turkey recipes I’ve ever made for my family. I am looking forward to make it again for my family
So happy you’re enjoying it Journa! I was thrilled with the way it turned out, too.
This slow cooker turkey was delicious and fun way to make a mini Thanksgiving doable any time!
Thanks, Scarlet! So happy you enjoyed it!
Super loved this for Thanksgiving! Thanks for the idea!
You’re welcome, Miles!
Sometimes you just need turkey and gravy and this makes the perfect amount for our family. The flavors remind me of holiday celebrations with family- without the endless leftovers!
Dana, isn’t it great!!?!! We love that, too. Happy you’re enjoying it! Thank you for stopping by to let me know.
Full of flavor and turned out really delicious! Thanks a bunch for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
So happy you enjoyed the turkey recipe, Allyssa!
This was such a hit with my family. Thanks so much for the delicious recipe.
You’re welcome, Alex! I’m so happy your family loved it!
I always forget how great things taste out of the crock pot and this was no exception. I made this for our pre-Thanksgiving dinner and it was a hit!
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Lisa.
This came out so moist and tender. This was my first time cooking turkey in the slow cooker – will do again! Thank you.
I’ve never done any other turkey cut in the slow cooker, Kris. And after the success of this delicious recipe, I think I will try an entire turkey breast. So happy you enjoyed the tenderloins!
These come out beautifully soft, they’re such a great way to have a mini thanksgiving!
I loved the mini-Thanksgiving of it too, Shelby. Glad you enjoyed them!
The turkey turned out super juicy! This was comfort food that hit the spot.
Isn’t it great!!??! We were thrilled with it, too, Emily. And you’re right. It is comfort food perfection!
This is the perfect solution for a smaller-sized thanksgiving meal! It sounds delicious and I LOVE that it frees up the oven for other dishes. Can’t wait to try this year!
Thanks, Emma! It is small dinner perfection for the holidays, for sure. And yes, that’s my favorite thing about crockpot cooking. It’s like adding another oven in my kitchen.
My family loves this turkey recipe. Crockpot turkey tenderloins turned out to be so tender and tasty perfectly paired with the gravy. Thanks Glenda, we enjoyed this wonderful recipe. I’ll surely add this to our Thanksgiving menu.
Journa, thank you! I ‘m so pleased you loved it. We have never been happier with a method for preparing turkey breast, either. It’s just so melt-in-you-mouth delicious!
I love that this recipe is easily adaptable for just a few people. Always looking for recipes like this thank you!
Traci, you’re so very welcome! We loved being able to make a turkey dinner for just the two of us!
Turned out so tasty and delicious! Full of flavor and super loved the texture! Thanks for sharing this fantastic turkey tenderloins recipe! Loved it!
You’re welcome, Allyssa! We loved how tender and moist this turkey is, too. It’s my favorite way to cook turkey breast, now.
This was so delicious! Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you, Miles! So glad you liked it.