Turkey tray recipes are my absolute go-to for a wholesome, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal. As a home cook who loves efficiency without sacrificing taste, the one-pan meal is king in my kitchen. This ultimate turkey tray bake combines juicy, perfectly seasoned turkey with a medley of colorful, roasted vegetables for a complete dinner with minimal cleanup. It’s a stunningly simple dish that works just as well for a busy weeknight as it does for a special small-scale gathering. This particular turkey tray recipe is designed for maximum flavor and ease.
Why You’ll Love This Turkey tray recipes
Effortless Cleanup: Everything cooks together on a single sheet pan, making post-dinner cleanup a breeze.
Juicy and Flavorful: My method ensures the turkey stays moist and tender while the vegetables caramelize perfectly.
Completely Customizable: You can easily swap the vegetables or seasonings to use what you have on hand.
Healthy and Balanced: This meal is packed with lean protein from the turkey and lots of vitamins and fiber from the vegetables.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
Turkey: This recipe uses turkey breast tenderloins or cutlets, which cook quickly and evenly. They are a great choice for a fast turkey tray bake. You could substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you may need to adjust the cooking time.
Potatoes: Baby red or yellow potatoes work wonderfully. Their waxy texture holds up well to roasting. For a sweeter note, you can substitute them with cubed sweet potatoes.
Vegetables: A classic combination of carrots and Brussels sprouts adds color, flavor, and nutrients. Feel free to substitute with other hearty vegetables like parsnips, broccoli florets, or butternut squash.
Fruit: Sliced apple adds a surprising and delicious sweetness that complements the savory turkey. Tart cranberries are another fantastic option to sprinkle over the tray.
Seasoning: A simple blend of olive oil, dried rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper is all you need. You could also use a pre-made poultry seasoning blend or add some fresh sage for a more traditional flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a large, rimmed baking sheet.
In a large bowl, toss the chopped potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and onion wedges with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, dried rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper until everything is evenly coated.
Spread the seasoned vegetables in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Pat the turkey tenderloins dry with a paper towel. Rub them all over with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, garlic powder, and an additional pinch of salt and pepper.
Nestle the seasoned turkey tenderloins among the vegetables on the baking sheet. Arrange the apple slices around the turkey.
Roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and caramelized and the turkey is cooked through. The internal temperature of the turkey should read 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
Remove the tray from the oven. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve the sliced turkey with the roasted vegetables.
Creative Variations
Sweet and Savory: Drizzle one or two tablespoons of maple syrup over the vegetables during the last 10 minutes of roasting for a beautiful glaze.
Holiday Spice: Add a teaspoon of dried sage and a cup of fresh cranberries to the vegetable mix for a festive twist perfect for the holiday season.
Garlic Herb Butter: In the last 5 minutes of cooking, dot the turkey and vegetables with small pieces of a compound butter made from softened butter, minced fresh garlic, and chopped parsley.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Tray Bake
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Use a large enough baking sheet to ensure the ingredients are in a single layer. This helps the vegetables roast and caramelize instead of steam. Use two sheets if necessary.
Uniform Vegetable Size: Cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure they all cook evenly and are perfectly tender at the same time.
Use a Thermometer: The best way to guarantee juicy, not dry, turkey is to use an instant-read thermometer. Pull the turkey out of the oven as soon as it reaches 165°F (74°C).
Let It Rest: Always let the turkey rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in much more moist and flavorful meat.
Storage and Freezing
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave. While you can freeze the cooked turkey, the roasted vegetables may become soft and watery upon thawing. For best results, freeze only the cooked turkey slices and enjoy the vegetables fresh.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this turkey tray recipe delivers a complete, flavorful, and wholesome meal with the simplicity of one-pan cooking. For those ready to tackle a show-stopping holiday centerpiece with a bold, spicy twist, be sure to check out our comprehensive Cajun Turkey Recipe guide.
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FAQs
What to put in a roasting tray with turkey?
For a successful turkey tray bake, fill it with hearty root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Onions, garlic, and Brussels sprouts also add wonderful flavor. Aromatic herbs like rosemary and thyme are essential, and fruits such as apples or cranberries can provide a lovely sweet-tart contrast.
Should you put water in a turkey tray?
For this specific turkey tray recipe, you should not add water. The goal is to roast the ingredients, creating caramelization and browning. Adding water will create steam, which will prevent the vegetables from getting crispy and flavorful. The natural moisture from the vegetables and the olive oil provide enough liquid.
What veggies are best for a tray?
The best vegetables are sturdy ones that can withstand the roasting time without turning to mush. Root vegetables are ideal, including potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes. Other great options include Brussels sprouts, broccoli florets, red onion wedges, and butternut squash.
What fruit goes best with turkey?
Fruits that have a bit of tartness and sweetness pair beautifully with turkey. Apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), firm pears, and cranberries are classic choices that complement the savory flavor of the meat and roasted vegetables.
Ultimate One-Pan Turkey Tray Recipes | Easy, Healthy, and Delicious Dinner Idea
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A simple, healthy, and delicious dinner that comes together on one sheet pan. This is one of those turkey tray recipes you’ll make again and again.
Ingredients
For the Vegetables
1 lb baby red potatoes, halved
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1-inch thick rounds
1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 red onion, cut into wedges
1 large apple, cored and sliced
3 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Turkey
1.5 lbs turkey breast tenderloins (about 2–3 tenderloins)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the halved potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and onion wedges. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with rosemary, thyme, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Toss well to coat.
3. Spread the vegetables in an even, single layer on the large baking sheet.
4. Pat the turkey tenderloins dry. Rub them with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
5. Place the seasoned turkey among the vegetables on the baking sheet and arrange the apple slices around the pan.
6. Roast for 25-30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F (74°C).
7. Remove from the oven and let the turkey rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving with the roasted vegetables.
Notes
Ensure the baking sheet is large enough to hold all ingredients in a single layer to promote even roasting rather than steaming.
Using an instant-read thermometer is the most reliable way to check for doneness and ensure the turkey is juicy and perfectly cooked.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg