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The Spruce
If a piece of crispy fried chicken is right up your alley, give these delicious turkey tenderloins a try. They might become a new favorite fried food, too. Covered in a flavorful outer crust of bold seasonings, these pieces of turkey make a great dinner alternative that everyone will enjoy. Who doesn't love tasty finger food? Marinated in a mixture of half and half and spices, the turkey needs 2 hours in the fridge to absorb the flavors, and then just a quick pass in hot oil to cook and bring them to golden brown perfection. Serve them as a casual weeknight meal with oven fries and chopped crunchy veggies, or make it more formal with mash potatoes and roasted veggies. Any and all table sauces and creamy additions work well: think of honey-mustard, ketchup, tzatziki, or gravy. The hands-on work is just 25 minutes. Easy, delicious, and filling.
Roasted, grilled, or fried, turkey tenderloins are the perfect weeknight meal. Most home cooks think of turkey as a holiday centerpiece, but the fact is that most stores carry turkey breasts and drumsticks all year round. It's as easy to bake a turkey breast as it is to slice some tenderloins and season them to taste. Turkey is a great alternative to chicken or fish and is easy to cook. Its mild flavor makes it a great canvas to work with, as many flavors can be added to it. What's sold as turkey tenderloin is actually the skinless and deboned turkey breast, so if you want to save some money simply buy the whole breast and do the work yourself, saving the bones and other bits to make a tasty soup. White turkey meat with no skin is high in protein, but very low in saturated fat. A 4-ounce serving of this type of meat (raw) has 129 calories and an outstanding 26.8 grams of protein.
Serve these delicious tenderloins with any side dishes of your liking. Have them as an appetizer during cocktail hour or use them as the filling for sandwiches and wraps. When frying the tenderloins, use a neutral oil like canola or safflower. If not using a deep fryer, we recommend having at hand an instant-read thermometer to make sure the oil is at the right temperature.
Ingredients
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1 1/2 pounds turkey tenderloins
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3/4 cup half-and-half , or milk
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1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 tablespoon Cajun or Creole seasoning
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1 to 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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Oil, for deep-frying
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Cut the turkey tenderloins into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces.
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In a large food storage bag, combine the turkey tenderloins, half-and-half, garlic, and Creole or Cajun seasoning. Let the tenderloins marinate in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
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Heat oil in deep fryer to about 360 F.
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Dredge the turkey pieces in the flour, coating well. Shake off excess flour.
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Deep fry the turkey nuggets until golden brown, about 4 or 5 minutes.
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Serve with ketchup or your choice of condiment.
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Enjoy!
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Recipe Variation
- Feel free to use turkey cutlet pieces or chunks of turkey breast in this recipe, or use chicken breasts or chicken tenders.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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471 | Calories |
18g | Fat |
29g | Carbs |
45g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 to 5 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 471 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 18g | 23% |
Saturated Fat 2g | 9% |
Cholesterol 109mg | 36% |
Sodium 789mg | 34% |
Total Carbohydrate 29g | 11% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
Total Sugars 0g | |
Protein 45g | |
Vitamin C 0mg | 1% |
Calcium 20mg | 2% |
Iron 3mg | 16% |
Potassium 395mg | 8% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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