Smoked Turkey Tenderloin

Turkey breast tenderloin is lean, tender and full of flavor. We rubbed an easy seasoning on the tenderloin, but you can also top with favorite BBQ rub marinade. The savory combination of flavor from the seasoning makes this recipe so delicious.

Check out our other Smoker Recipes to try out this summer. You may also love this Smoked Turkey Recipe, Smoked Turkey Injection Recipe, Blackstone Turkey Breast, Grilled Turkey Tenderloin or this Smoked Cornish Hens Recipe.

Why This Recipe Works

This smoked turkey breast recipe is delicious and full of flavor. If you are looking for a healthier meat to cook in your smoker, make Turkey Tenderloin. It is lean, tender and soaks in all the simple spices as it cook.

Whether you are using a electric smoker, pellet grill or charcoal setup each bite will be mouthwatering and the perfect addition for you next holiday meal or game day party.

Ingredients

• Turkey Breast Tenderloins – This will cook much faster smaller and perfect for smoking
• Butter – We used unsalted butter
• Dried Thyme Leaves – If you prefer you can also use fresh thyme
• Brown Sugar – Adds a hint of sweetness
• Paprika – Feel free to us smoked paprika for even more smoky flavor

Scroll to the bottom to see the full recipe in the recipe card.

How to Make Smoked Turkey Breast Tenderloins 

• Step 1 – Prepare Smoker – Preheat a smoker with a cold water pan to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. 

• Step 2 – Combine Seasoning – Mix the rub ingredients together in a small glass bowl.

• Step 3 – Prepare Turkey – Pat the turkey tenderloins dry with a paper towel. This removes any excess moisture from the turkey and place it on a baking sheet.

• Step 4 – Add butter to turkey – Rub the melted butter on all sides of the tenderloins.  

• Step 5 – Season Turkey Tenderloins – Season the turkey tenderloins with the rub mixture. Season by rubbing the mixture into the sides of the turkey tenderloins with your hands.

• Step 6 – Place turkey in smoker – Then place the turkey (on the baking sheet) in the smoker on grill grates. I like to cook on a wire rack so the baking sheet will act as a drip pan.

• Step 7 – Cook Turkey – Cook the turkey for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Cook until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.  

• Step 8 – Rest Turkey – Remove the turkey from the smoker.  Let the tenderloins sit for 20-30 minutes (so that the juices can settle). Then the turkey is ready to serve and enjoy.

Recipe Tips

• Brining Process – Some recipes require you to place the turkey in a brine mixture consisting of kosher salt and water. This recipe works fine without it. If you do add a brining step, make sure remove any residual salt from the turkey.
• Prepare Smoker – Make sure to preheat the smoker prior to placing the turkey in the smoker.
• Seasoning the Smoker – We recommend thoroughly seasoning the turkey tenderloin prior to putting in the smoker.
• Slicing the Turkey – Allow the turkey to rest for 30 minutes before slicing with a very sharp knife. This allows the turkey to lock in the moisture.

Variation Ideas

• Wrap in Slices of Bacon – For a delicious option, wrap the turkey tenderloin in bacon. This gives the tenderloin so much flavor. To prevent the bacon from burning, you may need to lay a loose piece of foil on the turkey.
• Change the Seasoning – You can easily change the seasoning or add in fresh herbs. We recommend adding in rosemary or red pepper flakes.
• Sauces – You can also add a sauce to the turkey before serving. It would be delicious served with a BBQ sauce or ketchup.

How Long to Cook Turkey Tenderloins in Smoker

Cooking turkey tenderloins in the smoker doesn’t take much preparation. Once you have buttered the tenderloin and seasoned it, then place on a baking sheet. Make sure the smoke setting is at 225 degrees, and place the tenderloin in the smoker.

Smoke the turkey for about 2 hours or until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees. Check this by using a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat.

How do you know when Smoke Turkey Tenderloins is Cooked

Use an instant read thermometer to make sure that the turkey is cooked to a safe temperature. You want to check the temperature before removing it from the smoker.  

The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees when the turkey is finished cooking. Cooking time will vary based on the size of your tenderloin.

What to Serve with Smoked Turkey Breast

This smoked turkey breast recipe can easily be served as part of your holiday dinner or an weekend meal. Here are some of our traditional side dishes that we like to serve with it.

• Smoked Corn on the Cob
• Smoked Mashed Potatoes
• Smoked Sweet Potatoes
• Smoked Green Beans
• Green Salad