Turkey Tips Recipe and Our Top Preparing Advice

Want to make turkey tips? Need a great marinade recipe? We have an easy guide for both.

Turkey tips, also called turkey tenders, are select chunks of white meat that are cut from the breast of the turkey. They’re smaller, so they cook a lot faster and hold a lot more marinade for excellent flavor.

Turkey tips, like steak tips, are often menu staples in bars and pubs, as they are easy to prepare and offer a wider variety on a menu. They’re much quicker to cook than a roasted turkey breast.

The ease of preparation, as well as the variety of cooking methods and marinades, make turkey tips desirable for people looking to explore new foods without a huge investment of time or money. The fact that they are white meat (rather than dark meat) and therefore low fat means they fit into many diets.

You may also have heard of turkey rib tips, which are really turkey shoulder tips. This piece of meat is tender and moist, and is reminiscent of a pork rib. These are less common than turkey tips, but still delicious and worth trying! You can prepare rib tips in the same way.

Turkey tips are quickly going to become your dinnertime go-to!

How Long Do Turkey Tips Last in the Fridge?

Uncooked, raw turkey is good for 1-2 days in the fridge once thawed. Cooked turkey lasts in the fridge for 3-4 days after preparation and is safe to consume if:

It was placed in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking;
It has remained cooled once stored;
It does not look, smell, or taste bad.

When in doubt, toss it out! It is not worth the risk of serious illness to eat turkey or any poultry or meat that you question.

If you’re not sure if you will eat the turkey in the safe window, you can always freeze it.

Check out our guide to fridge shelf life.

Lay the turkey tips breast meat flat in a freezer bag and seal well, removing as much air as possible. You can also choose to vacuum seal your turkey tips for freezing.

Frozen turkey meat can last up to 4 months in a freezer bag or 6-12 months if sealed in a vacuum sealer, and thaw in the fridge before heating or reheating.

Uncooked chicken wings and marinade in a ziplock bag — *Just like chicken wings, turkey tips can be marinated inside plastic bags.* (Candice Bell via iStock Photo)

Marinated Turkey Tips Recipe

Marinating your turkey tips is arguably the best way to add a lot of flavor and moisture for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

Ingredients:

¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried sage
½ tsp black pepper
3 cloves minced garlic (or garlic powder, if needed)

Instructions:

Whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, mustard, sugar, onion powder, paprika, thyme, sage, pepper, and garlic in a large bowl. Reserve and set aside 3 tbsp of the marinade.
Pour the cup of marinade into a plastic bag or shallow bowl with a tight-fitting lid. Submerge the turkey tips in the marinade. Cover or seal and marinate for 2-4 hours in the fridge.
Approximately 15 minutes before you are ready to roast your turkey, preheat to an oven temperature of 350 degrees F.
Transfer the turkey tips to a baking dish or roasting pan (make sure it is oven safe) and discard the marinade in the bag.
Roast for 20-25 minutes or until a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast is 155° with a food thermometer.
Tent the top of the dish with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes, until the center reaches 165°F (the safe minimum internal temperature).
Drizzle with the remaining marinade you set aside before serving.

Taking the meat’s temperature may seem unnecessary if it’s reached a nice golden brown color, but undercooked meats pose a serious risk of foodborne illness, so don’t skip this step!

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs Picture — *An air fryer is a great way to make turkey meatballs quickly.* (5PH via iStock Photo)

Turkey Tips in Air Fryer Recipe

Another great way to cook your turkey tips is using the air fryer.

I love the ease and convenience of an air fryer. It’s easy to clean and makes meals in no time, which is perfect for a busy lifestyle.

You can cook your turkey in the air fryer using the above marinade or after seasoning with your choice of salt (try kosher salt or seasoning salt), pepper, herbs, and spices.

Coat the inside of the air fryer basket with non-stick spray or brush with vegetable oil.
Place the turkey tips in the basket and then put the basket in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F and set the timer to 4 minutes.
Carefully flip the cutlets over using a spatula or tongs. Cook for an additional 3 minutes, until the center reaches 165°F. You may need to add more time to the cooking process for slightly thicker turkey tips.
Carefully remove the meat from the air fryer and enjoy!

We hope this advice will help you enjoy turkey tips the next time you’re craving a easy, flavorful meal!