Sriracha Lime Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloins

4.59 from 29 votes

By: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale ChipsPublished: October 11, 2022

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This mouthwatering and juicy Sriracha Lime Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Tenderloin recipe is an easy way to infuse bold flavors into a lean and protein-packed meal. And since it is cooked in the crockpot, you can kick up the sweet heat without heating up the kitchen.

Looking for more sweet and spicy dishes? Try Chili Lime Cube Steaks or Honey Lime Sriracha Cauliflower Bites.

One sriracha lime crockpot turkey tenderloin cut into slices on a cutting board.

Sriracha Lime Crock Pot Turkey Breast Tenderloin Recipe

I know everyone thinks of Roast Turkey during the holiday season. But what about the rest of the year? Turkey is a lean, healthy protein that is perfect to enhance and highlight so many bold flavors.

While we all know about whole turkey, turkey breast, ground turkey, and even turkey sausage, one cut you might not have thought about is the turkey tenderloin. They are readily available and a great alternative to the usual boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

And this slow cooker turkey breast tenderloin recipe couldn’t be more straightforward. In a few seconds, you can stir up a simple mixture of super flavorful ingredients and toss it in the crockpot. But don’t forget to set some aside so you can make that thick, spicy glaze. With hardly any work, you’ll have an easy and healthy dinner recipe that packs a delicious punch.

The bold flavors in this healthy meal make the turkey the star any time of the year.

Closeup of slices of sriracha lime crockpot turkey tenderloin on a green plate.

What is a Turkey Breast Tenderloin?

A turkey breast tenderloin, usually just called turkey tenderloin, is the long, thick strip of meat underneath the turkey breasts. Because of their location, these muscles don’t get worked much. So although it is lean, white meat and located right under the breast, they are actually very tender and oftentimes more moist than your traditional roast turkey breast.

They can weigh up to a pound each and are often found in packages of two, sold by brands such as Butterball, Jenni-O, and Foster Farms.

Because of their neutral flavor and similarity to chicken breast, turkey tenderloins pair well with a wide variety of flavors and can be used with many seasonings, marinades, and sauces. They can be baked or roasted, and even grilled. You can cook them whole, or slice them into chunks or medallions. And they also can be cooked in a crock pot or slow cooker.

Is turkey tenderloin good for you?

Turkey tenderloin is very lean, with even fewer calories than a chicken breast, having about 130 calories and 0.5 grams of fat in a four-ounce serving. This goes along with over 20 grams of protein. And it is naturally gluten free.

Closeup of the sriracha lime turkey tenderloin with a half of a lime and bottle of hot sauce in the background.

Ingredients

A simple list of ingredients packs a flavor punch into these turkey breast tenderloins. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need. The full amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post, but keep reading for all of my tips to make this dish.

Turkey tenderloins: There are typically two per package, for a total of about 2 pounds.
Chicken stock: You can use homemade or storebought. Broth or stock in a box has the best flavor. I recommend low sodium so you can control the salt content.
Sriracha hot sauce: Use your favorite brand.
Lime juice: Be sure to use freshly squeezed. Bottled lime juice can be too bitter.
Honey
Ground ginger
Garlic powder
Salt and black pepper
Cornstarch: For thickening the glaze.

Two raw turkey breast tenderloins on a plate plus the ingredients to make the sriracha lime sauce in bowls on a marble countertop.

How to make crockpot turkey breast tenderloin

There are only a few simple steps and just several minutes of hands-on work.

Make the sauce. Start by whisking together 1/2 cup of the chicken stock, sriracha, lime juice, honey, ginger, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside 3/4 cup of this mixture for later to make the sauce. Add additional chicken broth to the remaining sauce.

A square bowl of sauce with a whisk in it.

Chicken broth being poured into the bowl of sauce next to the crockpot with raw turkey tenderloins in it.

Cook in the crockpot. Pour the sauce with the additional chicken broth added over the turkey breast tenderloins in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours.

The sauce being poured over turkey breast tenderloins in a slow cooker.

Make the glaze. While the turkey finishes cooking, transfer the reserved sriracha mixture to a small saucepan and whisk in the cornstarch. Bring to a boil and boil for a minute or two until thickened. Serve the sauce with the turkey tenderloin or brush it over the top.

For extra flavor, glaze the turkey. You can also preheat your broiler and place the cooked tenderloins on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush them with the glaze and place them under the broiler for 3-4 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize.

Cornstarch being added to the sauce mixture in a small saucepan.

A whisk in a small saucepan of sriracha lime glaze.

What temperature should turkey tenderloin be cooked to?

A turkey tenderloin, like all types of white meat poultry, should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. You can easily check this with an instant read thermometer.

For this recipe, I like to use my Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker which has a built-in temperature probe. While you can leave the meat in the slow cooker longer, by cooking it right to 165°F, the tenderloin holds together better. Sometimes when meats are allowed to cook longer, they can break apart and shred more easily. Sometimes that is what you want, but in this case, it is nice to be able to slice the turkey breast tenderloin for serving.

A sliced turkey breast tenderloin coated in glaze on a cutting board with limes and a bottle of sriracha sauce in the background.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Leftovers can be wrapped or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can pour the extra glaze right over the turkey or keep it separate. Then you can gently warm everything up in a skillet or in the microwave until it is just heated through. Don’t overheat it or the turkey will dry out.

The turkey can even be enjoyed cold if you want to slice it to use on a salad or in a wrap or sandwich for lunch. Try it on this Banh Mi Salad or on some Gluten Free French Bread.

Sliced crockpot turkey breast tenderloin served on a green plate with brown rice and broccoli.

What do you serve with Sriracha Lime Turkey Tenderloin?

I like to serve some type of rice with my turkey breast tenderloin. Serve it over white or brown rice, or lower the carbs with cauliflower rice. You can even try the broccoli rice that goes with this Healthy Orange Chicken recipe. Then add veggies to round out the meal.

Keep it simple and pair with steamed broccoli or a frozen vegetable medley.
You can make sauteed carrots and peas or up the flavor with Sesame Glazed Broccoli.
It’s also great with Bang Bang Cauliflower or Air Fryer Green Beans.

If you want a little surf and turf, try some Shrimp Rice Paper Rolls on the side. They would be great dipped in the sriracha lime sauce.

Sriracha Lime Crock Pot Turkey Tenderloin sliced on a plate with chopsticks

More slow cooker recipes

Barbecue Turkey Meatballs are baked in the oven, but keep them warm in a slow cooker for a party.
Orange Sesame Paleo Crockpot Chicken can also be made in your Instant Pot if you prefer.
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is another one that you can make in a pressure cooker too.
Crockpot Barbecue Beef is saucy, savory, and fall-apart tender.

4.6 from 29 votes