Turkey Tenderloin and Asparagus Skillet

After a weekend of indulgencies a light, healthy and flavorful dish was just what I needed. I rather like turkey tenderloin. It’s that long tender strip of meat hidden under the breast.

The meat in this dish remains moist and the full flavor of the dried savory leaves, offer a peppery, thyme and mint flavor that goes well with the turkey, asparagus and mushrooms. The sauce is flavorful and light while the asparagus still have a nice bite. This is a fresh clean dish.

Photography by Heaven on Hearth

1¼ pound of turkey tenderloin

2 tablespoons olive oil

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon dried savory

½ pound asparagus cut in 1inch pieces

4 ounces mushrooms, sliced

1 medium sweet onion, roughly diced

1 large garlic clove, chopped

3 stalks scallion, roughly sliced

1/3 cup of chicken broth

Turkey Tenderloin, Salt, Pepper, Savory Leaves and Red Pepper Flakes

Cut the tenderloin in 1 inch pieces, then season with 1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried savory and ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes. 

Seasoned Turkey Tenderloin

Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and mix well so that the turkey tenderloin pieces are evenly seasoned with the spices and covered with olive oil. Set aside, while preparing the other vegetables. The turkey tenderloin can be seasoned in advance and left covered and refrigerated until needed.

If you have chosen to season the turkey a few hours before, please do not forget to take the meat out of the fridge about 30 – 45 minutes before cooking.

Because this is a fairly quick dish, prepare the vegetables beforehand so all you need to do is toss them in the pan when ready. Dice and slice the vegetables in chunky pieces. The texture of the dish will be so much nicer when you have a few vegetable chunks to bite into. Dice 1 medium sweet onion, slice 4 ounces mushrooms and 3 stalks scallion. Cut ½ pound asparagus in 1inch pieces and roughly chop 1 large garlic clove.

Turkey Tenderloin Caramelizing

Use a large skillet, as it will be easier to toss everything together. Heat the skillet on medium low heat. Once well heated, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then add the seasoned tenderloin pieces. Sauté the turkey for 2½ minutes before adding onions and garlic and continue tossing for another 4 minutes until the turkey starts caramelizing and gets that beautiful brown color. 

Turkey with Onions and Asparagus

Add asparagus pieces and toss for another 2½ minutes. Then add mushroom slices, scallion and 1/3 cup of broth and allow to simmer for 4 minutes.

Turkey Tenderloin and Asparagus Skillet 

This serves 4. Voilà. The dish is now ready and can be served with rice, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables or even mashed cauliflower. A crisp glass of sauvignon blanc would compliment the dish as well.