🎉 Introduction
If you want a holiday main dish that is elegant, juicy, flavorful, and truly unforgettable, this Stuffed Turkey Tenderloin is the perfect recipe. It’s the halal-friendly alternative to stuffed pork tenderloin — with all the festive richness, tenderness, and color you want for Christmas or Thanksgiving.
Turkey tenderloin is naturally lean, tender, and perfect for stuffing. When butterflied and filled with a creamy mixture of goat cheese, spinach, garlic, sweet onions, sage, and cranberry sauce, it becomes a show-stopping centerpiece. Every slice reveals a beautiful swirl of green spinach, white cheese, and red cranberry — a true holiday color trio!
This recipe is:
- Elegant and festive
- Juicy and flavorful
- Perfect for smaller Christmas gatherings
- Easier than roasting a whole turkey
- Great for Thanksgiving too
The combination of creamy goat cheese, garlicky spinach, fresh sage, and tangy cranberry creates a gorgeous flavor profile that tastes like Christmas on a plate.
Let’s bring this holiday masterpiece to life!
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Baking dish
- Kitchen twine or toothpicks
- Aluminum foil
- Pastry brush
- Measuring spoons
- Meat thermometer (optional but ideal)
🛒 Ingredients
Turkey
- 1 turkey tenderloin (1–2 lbs), boneless
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Stuffing
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1 sweet onion, finely chopped
- 6 oz goat cheese
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
For Searing & Roasting
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Extra sage for garnish
All ingredients are halal and Christmas-friendly.
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Butterfly the turkey tenderloin by slicing it horizontally and opening it like a book, then season both sides with salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Sauté the sweet onion in butter until soft, add garlic and spinach, cook until wilted, then stir in sage and goat cheese until creamy.
Step 3: Spread cranberry sauce over the butterflied turkey, then add the creamy spinach filling in an even layer.
Step 4: Roll the turkey tightly into a log and secure it with kitchen twine or toothpicks so the stuffing stays inside.
Step 5: Sear the rolled turkey in butter until golden on all sides, then transfer to a baking dish and roast at 375°F (190°C) for 25–35 minutes until cooked through.
Step 6: Rest for 10 minutes, remove twine, slice into rounds, garnish with sage, and serve warm with extra cranberry sauce.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4–6
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Total Time: 45–55 minutes
Perfect for Christmas dinner, New Year’s Eve, or elegant family gatherings.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store slices for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Freezer
Freeze cooked slices for up to 2 months.
Reheating
- Oven: 325°F for 8–10 minutes
- Air fryer: 350°F for 3–4 minutes
- Microwave: 30–40 seconds
🥄 Variations
⭐ 1. Cream Cheese & Herb Stuffed Turkey
Replace goat cheese with cream cheese + parsley + thyme.
⭐ 2. Spinach Artichoke Version
Add chopped artichokes + mozzarella to the stuffing.
⭐ 3. Apple Cranberry Holiday Stuffed Turkey
Add finely chopped apples for sweetness.
⭐ 4. Mushroom Garlic Stuffed Turkey
Add sautéed mushrooms for deep savory flavor.
⭐ 5. Feta & Sundried Tomato Mediterranean Version
Use feta + basil + sundried tomatoes.
⭐ 6. Brie & Cranberry Christmas Roll
Replace goat cheese with brie for a melty filling.
⭐ 7. Pecan & Cranberry Crunch
Add crushed pecans for texture.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
Yes — large chicken breasts work the same way.
2. What makes turkey tenderloin good for stuffing?
It’s lean, soft, and easy to butterfly.
3. Can I make it ahead?
Yes — assemble, refrigerate, and bake before serving.
4. Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes — drain well before using.
5. What can I use instead of goat cheese?
Cream cheese, feta, or ricotta.
6. How do I prevent the stuffing from leaking out?
Roll tightly and secure with twine.
7. Should I cover it while baking?
Cover for the first 10 minutes if drying too fast.
8. What sides go best with it?
Mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, salads.
9. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — bake longer if needed.
10. How do I know it’s done?
Turkey should reach 165°F (74°C) internal temp.
🏁 Conclusion
This Stuffed Turkey Tenderloin is tender, juicy, festive, and bursting with Christmas flavor. With creamy goat cheese, bright cranberry, fresh sage, and savory spinach all rolled into a perfectly roasted turkey tenderloin, it’s a Christmas main course that feels luxurious but is surprisingly easy.
It slices beautifully, presents like a gourmet holiday dish, and tastes even better. Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner, preparing a romantic holiday meal, or planning a Thanksgiving feast, this recipe adds elegance to your table with minimal effort.
Once you serve it, your family will request it every holiday season!
Stuffed Turkey Tenderloin (Best Holiday Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Notes
Refrigerator Store slices for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Freezer Freeze cooked slices for up to 2 months. Reheating Oven: 325°F for 8–10 minutes Air fryer: 350°F for 3–4 minutes Microwave: 30–40 seconds 🥄 Variations
⭐ 1. Cream Cheese & Herb Stuffed Turkey Replace goat cheese with cream cheese + parsley + thyme. ⭐ 2. Spinach Artichoke Version Add chopped artichokes + mozzarella to the stuffing. ⭐ 3. Apple Cranberry Holiday Stuffed Turkey Add finely chopped apples for sweetness. ⭐ 4. Mushroom Garlic Stuffed Turkey Add sautéed mushrooms for deep savory flavor. ⭐ 5. Feta & Sundried Tomato Mediterranean Version Use feta + basil + sundried tomatoes. ⭐ 6. Brie & Cranberry Christmas Roll Replace goat cheese with brie for a melty filling. ⭐ 7. Pecan & Cranberry Crunch Add crushed pecans for texture. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use chicken instead of turkey? Yes — large chicken breasts work the same way. 2. What makes turkey tenderloin good for stuffing? It’s lean, soft, and easy to butterfly. 3. Can I make it ahead? Yes — assemble, refrigerate, and bake before serving. 4. Can I use frozen spinach? Yes — drain well before using. 5. What can I use instead of goat cheese? Cream cheese, feta, or ricotta. 6. How do I prevent the stuffing from leaking out? Roll tightly and secure with twine. 7. Should I cover it while baking? Cover for the first 10 minutes if drying too fast. 8. What sides go best with it? Mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, salads. 9. Can I double the recipe? Absolutely — bake longer if needed. 10. How do I know it’s done? Turkey should reach 165°F (74°C) internal temp. 🏁 Conclusion This Stuffed Turkey Tenderloin is tender, juicy, festive, and bursting with Christmas flavor. With creamy goat cheese, bright cranberry, fresh sage, and savory spinach all rolled into a perfectly roasted turkey tenderloin, it’s a Christmas main course that feels luxurious but is surprisingly easy. It slices beautifully, presents like a gourmet holiday dish, and tastes even better. Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner, preparing a romantic holiday meal, or planning a Thanksgiving feast, this recipe adds elegance to your table with minimal effort. Once you serve it, your family will request it every holiday season!
