Simple and Tender Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloins

Searching for a hassle-free meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor or nutrition? This incredible crockpot turkey tenderloins recipe is your answer. It masterfully blends the unbeatable convenience of slow cooking with the rich, savory flavors of perfectly tender turkey enveloped in a luscious onion soup mix gravy. Forget the stress of cooking a whole turkey; turkey tenderloins offer a fantastic, lean, and flavorful alternative for a truly simple yet impressive meal.

Turkey doesn’t have to be exclusively reserved for Thanksgiving dinner or major holidays. With its lean profile and versatile flavor, it’s an excellent protein choice that can easily become a regular fixture in your weekly meal rotation. Making turkey tenderloins in the slow cooker is not only incredibly straightforward but also provides a delightful and healthy alternative to more common chicken or pork dishes. It’s time to embrace turkey as an everyday delight!

Why This Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins Recipe is a Must-Try

This slow cooker turkey tenderloin recipe stands out for several compelling reasons, making it a favorite in countless households. From its incredible ease to its rich flavor profile and impressive versatility, it’s a dish designed to simplify your life without sacrificing taste.

Effortless Cooking for Busy Lifestyles

The beauty of cooking with a slow cooker truly shines with this recipe. It embodies the “set it and forget it” philosophy, making it an absolute game-changer for busy individuals and families. Imagine starting your day by simply adding a few key ingredients to your crockpot, and returning home hours later to the enticing aroma of a perfectly cooked, wholesome meal ready for dinner. This minimal effort approach is perfect for those hectic weekdays when time is a precious commodity, but you still crave a homemade, comforting dish.

Unforgettable Flavor Profile

The secret weapon in this recipe is the dry onion soup mix. Far from just a seasoning, it infuses the turkey and its accompanying gravy with an incredible depth of savory, umami-rich flavor that is utterly irresistible. This simple ingredient transforms ordinary turkey into something extraordinary, creating a gravy that is so robust and delicious, you’ll want to drizzle it over everything on your plate. It’s a taste sensation that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Remarkable Versatility for Any Occasion

While this dish is wonderfully simple and comforting for a cozy family dinner on a chilly evening, its impressive flavor and elegant presentation also make it special enough to serve during the holiday season or for entertaining guests. Whether you’re planning a quiet meal at home or preparing a festive feast, these tenderloins fit right in. Its broad appeal ensures it stays on our menu rotation all year long, proving that a truly great recipe is one that can adapt to any occasion.

The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the many appealing aspects of this crockpot turkey tenderloins recipe is its short and accessible ingredient list. You likely have some of these on hand already, and the rest are easily found at any grocery store.

• Turkey Tenderloin: Typically, you’ll find turkey tenderloins packaged with two pieces, often weighing around 1.5 to 2 pounds total. We used the widely available Jennie-O brand for this recipe, but feel free to choose your preferred brand. Look for tenderloins that are boneless and skinless for the easiest preparation.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: This classic pantry staple is essential for creating the rich, creamy base of our gravy. Its savory chicken flavor complements the turkey beautifully. If you’re out of cream of chicken, or simply prefer a different flavor, cream of mushroom soup can be an excellent substitute, adding an earthy depth to the dish.
• Onion Soup Mix: A dry onion soup mix, such as Lipton’s, is the star ingredient for flavor. It provides a fantastic blend of onion, herbs, and spices that deeply seasons both the turkey and the gravy. You can typically find it in the soup aisle of your local grocery store, often near the other dry seasoning mixes.
• Chicken Broth: Chicken broth is crucial for achieving the perfect consistency for the gravy. It thins out the cream of soup and onion mix, creating a smooth, pourable sauce that will tenderize the turkey as it cooks and make a delightful gravy to serve. Low-sodium broth is a good choice if you’re watching your salt intake.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins

Preparing this succulent slow cooker turkey tenderloin dish couldn’t be easier. With just four simple steps, you’ll be on your way to a mouthwatering meal with minimal fuss.

1. Step One: Prepare Your Slow Cooker and Turkey
   Begin by lightly spraying the inside of your slow cooker pot with a non-stick cooking spray. This crucial step helps prevent the turkey and gravy from sticking, making cleanup much easier. Next, carefully remove the turkey tenderloins from their packaging. Using paper towels, thoroughly pat them dry. Drying the turkey helps it to better absorb the flavors of the gravy and ensures a more desirable texture.
2. Step Two: Place Turkey in Slow Cooker
   Gently place the dried turkey tenderloins into the prepared slow cooker. Arrange them in a single layer if possible, or stack them neatly if your slow cooker is smaller.



3. Step Three: Mix and Pour the Flavorful Sauce
   In a separate large bowl, combine the two cans of cream of chicken soup, both envelopes of dry onion soup mix, and the chicken broth. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until they are completely smooth and well-combined. This ensures that all the flavors are evenly distributed. Once mixed, carefully pour this rich, savory mixture evenly over the turkey tenderloins in the slow cooker, making sure they are fully coated or submerged as much as possible.



4. Step Four: Slow Cook to Perfection
   Securely place the lid on your slow cooker. Now, set your slow cooker to cook on high for approximately 4 hours, or if you have more time, cook on a low setting for 6-8 hours. The longer, slower cooking time often yields even more tender results. The turkey will become incredibly succulent as it braises in the flavorful gravy.

Expert Recipe Tips for Perfect Results

To ensure your crockpot turkey tenderloins turn out perfectly every time, keep these valuable tips in mind:

• Pat Dry for Best Texture: Always remember to thoroughly pat the turkey tenderloins dry with paper towels before placing them in the slow cooker. This simple step helps remove excess moisture, which can otherwise dilute the flavor of your gravy and affect the texture of the turkey. A drier surface allows the turkey to better absorb the rich seasonings.
• Achieve Optimal Tenderness: While the slow cooker is designed for tenderness, avoid overcooking, especially on the high setting, as turkey can dry out. Sticking to the recommended cooking times will help maintain moisture.
• Food Safety is Key: For safety and best results, always use a meat thermometer to confirm that the turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) before serving. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the tenderloin. This ensures the turkey is fully cooked and safe to eat.
• Enhance the Gravy (Optional): If you find the gravy isn’t as thick as you prefer after cooking, you can easily thicken it. Remove the turkey from the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the hot gravy in the slow cooker, then cook on high for an additional 15-30 minutes, or until the gravy has reached your desired consistency.
• Sear for Extra Flavor (Optional): For an extra layer of flavor and a slightly crisper exterior, you can quickly sear the turkey tenderloins in a hot skillet with a little olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side before placing them in the slow cooker. This step adds a delicious browned crust that locks in more flavor, though it’s completely optional for this “set it and forget it” recipe.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

This crockpot turkey tenderloin recipe makes for fantastic leftovers, perfect for meal prep or quick meals throughout the week. Proper storage and reheating will ensure they remain delicious.

Storage: Once the turkey and gravy have cooled to room temperature (within 2 hours of cooking), transfer them to airtight containers. To make reheating easier and to preserve the gravy’s quality, we recommend spooning the gravy into a separate container from the sliced turkey. Stored this way, leftovers will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: For longer storage, both the cooked turkey and gravy freeze well. Place cooled turkey slices and gravy in separate freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating:

• Microwave: For quick reheating, place individual portions of turkey and gravy in microwave-safe dishes. Heat on medium power, stirring the gravy occasionally, until heated through.
• Stovetop: Reheat the gravy gently in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until simmering. The turkey can be added directly to the gravy to warm up, or reheated separately.
• Oven/Crockpot: For larger quantities or to prevent the turkey from drying out, you can reheat the turkey (covered with a bit of gravy or broth) in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, return both turkey and gravy to the slow cooker and warm on the low setting until hot.

What to Serve with Your Creamy Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins

The rich, savory turkey with onion soup gravy pairs beautifully with a wide array of comforting side dishes, making it incredibly versatile for any meal. Here are some of our favorite accompaniments:

• Classic Carb Bases: This turkey and gravy is absolutely divine served over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy white rice, or even a comforting bowl of pasta like egg noodles or penne. These options are perfect for soaking up every last drop of that delicious gravy.
• Hearty Vegetable Sides: Balance the meal with some delicious vegetable dishes. Consider green bean casserole, roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, or a simple garden salad.
• Sweet & Savory Pairings: For a touch of sweetness that complements the savory turkey, try whipped sweet potatoes or a vibrant cranberry jello salad.
• Traditional Comfort Foods: If you’re leaning into a more traditional or holiday-inspired meal, serve alongside savory stuffing balls, cornbread dressing, or a fresh batch of dinner rolls to sop up the flavorful gravy.

We hope you give this incredibly easy and flavorful slow cooker turkey recipe a try! Please let us know how it turned out for you in the comments below.

Explore More Delicious Turkey Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed this turkey tenderloin recipe, you’ll be delighted to discover the versatility of turkey in other dishes. Here are some more fantastic turkey recipes to inspire your next meal:

• Crispy Oven-Baked Turkey Bacon
• Quick and Flavorful Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
• 31 Creative Ground Turkey Recipes for Any Meal
• 30 Comforting Turkey Soup Recipes to Warm Your Soul
• 31 Essential Turkey Side Dishes for the Perfect Feast
• 18 Delicious Turkey Kielbasa Recipes for Easy Dinners

Crockpot Turkey Tenderloins: Full Recipe

By Heather Seeley

This super simple slow cooker turkey tenderloin recipe uses onion soup mix to create the best savory gravy, right in your crockpot. Enjoy tender, lean turkey cooked to perfection, wonderful served over mashed potatoes, rice, or on its own. It’s an ideal choice for both a special Thanksgiving meal or a quick, easy everyday dinner.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 4 hrs

Total Time: 4 hrs 5 mins

Servings: 6

Equipment

• 1 slow cooker

Ingredients

• 1 package turkey tenderloins (one package usually has 2 tenderloins)
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• 2 envelopes onion soup mix
• 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

1. Spray the bottom of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Remove turkey tenderloins from packaging and pat them dry with a paper towel.
2. Place the turkey tenderloins into the slow cooker.
3. In a large bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, onion soup mix, and chicken broth until well combined.
4. Pour the prepared soup mixture over the turkey. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours, until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Nutrition

Calories: 95 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 8g |
Protein: 3g |
Fat: 6g |
Saturated Fat: 2g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g |
Cholesterol: 9mg |
Sodium: 886mg |
Potassium: 59mg |
Fiber: 0.02g |
Sugar: 1g |
Vitamin A: 186 IU |
Vitamin C: 0.1mg |
Calcium: 16mg |
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Enjoy your delicious and easy crockpot turkey tenderloins!