This turkey breast recipe is perfect for a small gathering for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other special occasions. This roasted turkey breast is cooked in a herb garlic butter sauce that everyone will love. The skin on this turkey breast is extra crispy and the inside perfectly tender and moist.
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You will love how simple and delicious this turkey breast recipe is. It’s filled with so much flavor thanks to the herb, garlic, and butter! Roasting turkey breast is a simple way to make juicy turkey for Thanksgiving, or any holiday celebration without having to roast a whole turkey.
While a lot of people like to make a traditional roasted turkey for holiday dinners, I feel that just a turkey breast is a great alternative. Plus it takes way less time to prep and cook in comparison and since we’re having smaller family dinners now. If you’re having more people over, you can roast two turkey breasts instead of one!
If you’d like more holiday recipes, try myHealthier Green Bean Casserole Recipe,Mashed Potatoes Recipe,Easy Roasted Turkey Leg, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mayo Mustard Dressing.
Ingredients to Make Turkey Breast Recipe
- Turkey breast — get a boneless and skin-on turkey breast to save time on removing the bone. But you can also use bone-in turkey breast.
- Butter — be sure to use unsalted butter to keep the turkey from tasting too salty. Make sure the butter has softened, so you can mix the herbs in.
- Salt and black pepper — to taste.
- Garlic — use freshly minced garlic and not pre-minced garlic.
- Fresh herbs — I use fresh thyme, parsley, and rosemary to add flavour to the turkey breasts.
Ps: For this turkey breast recipe you don’t need to roast this turkey breast with chicken stock and/or chicken broth or turkey broth. For this recipe will be the butter mixture.
Instructions to Make Turkey Breast Recipe
Bring your turkey to room temperature and prep the oven
- Take the turkey breast out from the fridge and leave it out for about 30 minutes before cooking.
- Adjust the rack in the oven to the lower-middle position, and preheat the oven to 400°F.
Prepare the turkey
- In a small bowl, add butter, salt, black pepper, garlic, and herbs. Mix all together and set aside for later.
- Use a spoon to loosen the skin from the turkey flesh so you can rub the mixture under the skin. Careful not to tear the skin so the butter mixture can say under the skin.
- Using your hands, add some butter mixture under the skin, then add some on the top of the breast. Spread butter mixture as evenly as possible.
- Turn turkey upside down and spread more butter mixture on it.
Bake the turkey
- Then, if you have any butter mixture leftover, add it to the baking pan before sprinkling salt and pepper onto the turkey breast.
- Place turkey in the baking pan or roasting pan, skin side up.
- Roast the turkey breast for 1 hr 30 minutes, basting the turkey with butter every 30 minutes.
- Rest for 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Use the melted butter mixture as gravy.
Expert tips
- Depending on the size of your turkey breast, it may take longer for yours to roast. Always use a thermometer to check the internal temperature that should be 165F. Insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. It should be 165F.
- If your turkey breast gets brown too quickly, cover it with foil to avoid the skin burning before the inside is cooked through.
- If you do not have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs in their place.
- Make sure you pat dry your turkey breast first. The moisture on the skin from thawing it or taking it out of the fridge will make it difficult for your skin to crisp up.
- It is important to allow your turkey breast to rest before you cut into it with a sharp knife. When it is resting, the juices inside the turkey are redistributed back throughout the meat. If you cut it too early, you end up losing the moistness and your turkey will be dry.
- Garlic powder does not have the same fresh flavour as freshly minced garlic, so stick to fresh garlic if possible.
How To Carve A Turkey Breast
- Remove the turkey breast from the oven. Place the breasts skin-side up on the cutting board.
- Cut along one side of the breast bone with a very sharp knife.Make sure to keep your knife close to ribs.
- Then cut the other side of the breast off the bone and slice each breast crosswise and serve on a large platter.
Thy This!
Meat Thermometer
We absolutely love this meat thermometer as it ensures that meat is cooked to the right temperature and achieves the desired level of doneness.
Recipe Variations
Herb Infusion: Add a blend of fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to the garlic butter make this turkey breast recipe even more flavorful.
Veggies: Place carrots and celery on top of the butter mixture on the baking sheet, and then add the turkey breast.
Spice It Up: Create a spicy version by adding chili flakes, paprika, or cayenne pepper to the garlic butter for a kick of heat.
Citrus Twist: Squeeze fresh lemon or orange juice over the turkey breast and mix it with the garlic butter for a zesty citrus flavor.
How To Store Leftovers
To Store: Leftover juicy roasted turkey breast can be stored for up to 4 days in the fridge. It’s best that you store the turkey breast as whole as possible as it keeps it moist upon reheating it.
To Freeze: Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn, then place it in an airtight container or a freezer bag. Label it with the date and store it in the freezer for 6 months.
To Reheat: You can reheat this roasted turkey breast in the oven to keep the skin crispy or in the microwave.
If you’re looking for a way to use up your leftovers, try my Turkey Vegetable Soup Recipe.
Serve this Turkey Breast Recipe with:
Appetizer: Kick things off with a delightful spread of arugula salad, dinner rolls, gluten-free cornbread or/and irresistible garlic bread before serving your turkey breast recipe. Also, Don’t forget to indulge in some mushroom stuffed and even some ooey-gooey baked brie. So yummy!
Awesome sides: Serve this roasted turkey breast with this very yummy cranberry orange sauce that adds a zesty pop, savor my all-time favorite potatoes au gratin and this creamy savory mashed sweet potatoes.
Dessert: Finish your meal with a slice of heavenly pumpkin pie or this amazing pecan bars.
Want more turkey recipes?
- Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Stuffed Peppers: These Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Stuffed Peppers are filled with flavours and a delicious homemade tomato sauce. A perfect recipe for a busy weeknight.
- Easy Turkey Meatloaf Recipe: This turkey meatloaf recipe makes a healthy and hearty weeknight dinner. The low carb meatloaf freezes well so make it ahead – it will save time making dinner on busy nights!
- Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe: This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet will be ready to eat in less than 30 minutes, and you will be amazed by how flavourful it is. It’s a perfect ONE-PAN meal for your family to enjoy!
- Easy Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers: Easy Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers are so easy to make, flavourful and you will need only a handful of ingredients.
- Easy Roasted Turkey Breast: Thisturkey breast is cooked in a fraction of the time of a whole turkey and it’s so delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Keep The Turkey Breast From Drying Out?
Basting the turkey breast with butter as it cooks will prevent it from being dry. Avoid overcooking the turkey breasts as well. Around 10 to 15 minutes before the turkey is set to finish, start checking the internal temperature with a thermometer.
You can use a wire rack or a cutting board to rest the turkey breast if you’re worried that the residual heat from the baking pan will overcook it.
How Many People Will This Turkey Breast Recipe Serve?
If you’re wondering how much turkey per person, I would say that 4 to 5 pound of turkey breast will easily feed up to 6 people, so you could make this turkey breast recipe for your family if you want to have a small and intimate dinner.
How Many Hours Per Pound Do You Cook a Turkey Breast?
Cook a turkey breast at 325°F for roughly 20 minutes per pound, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
How do you keep turkey breast moist?
To keep a turkey breast moist, roast it with a layer of butter or oil on top, and use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Let it rest for about 15-30 minutes before slicing to retain its juices and tenderness.
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3.44 from 111 votes
Garlic Butter Turkey Breast
This Garlic Butter Turkey Breast Recipe is perfect for a small gathering for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other special occasions. This oven-roasted turkey breast is cooked in a herb garlic butter sauce that everyone will love. The skin on this turkey breast is extra crispy and the inside perfectly tender and moist.
Prep: 10 minutes minutes
Cook: 1 hour hour
Resting Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 people
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Ingredients
- 4-5 lb turkey breast boneless and skin-on, patted dry
- 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tsp fresh thyme chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tsp fresh rosemary chopped
US CustomaryMetric
Instructions
First, remove the turkey breast from the fridge and leave it out for about 30 minutes before cooking. Adjust the oven rack to the lower middle position, and preheat oven to 400°F.
In a small bowl, add butter, salt, black pepper, garlic, thyme, parsley and rosemary. Mix all together. Set aside.
Use an upside spoon to help loosen the skin from the turkey flesh, if necessary.
Using your hands, add some butter mixture under the skin, then add some on the top of the breast. Spread butter mixture as evenly as possible. Then, sprinkle some more salt and pepper over the turkey breast.
Turn turkey upside down and spread more butter mixture on it. Then, if you have any butter mixture leftover, add on the baking pan.
Place turkey in baking pan, skin side up. Place turkey in the oven and turn the temperature down to 350F.
Roast for 1 hr 30 minutes (the time will depend on the size of your turkey breast) and don’t forget to bast all over the turkey breast every 30 minutes. When the turkey is done the internal temperature should be 165F.
If your turkey gets brown so quickly, cover it with foil to avoid burning outside.
Rest for 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Use the melted butter mixture as gravy. So yummy!
Tips
- Cover the turkey with foil if your turkey gets brown too quickly, this helps avoid the skin from burning before the inside is cooked through.
- Dried herbs can be used in place of fresh herbs. 1 tablespoon fresh herbs = 1 teaspoon dried herbs.
- Always pat the turkey dry if there’s moisture so the skin will crisp up and the seasoning will stick better.
- To store: You can store leftover turkey for up to 4 days in the fridge. Uncut turkey breasts hold on to moisture better than sliced turkey.
- To reheat: You can reheat the turkey in the oven for crispy skin or simply microwave the leftovers.
- To freeze: You can freeze leftover turkey in an airtight freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1/6 Calories: 566kcal (28%) Carbohydrates: 1g Protein: 70g (140%) Fat: 27g (42%) Saturated Fat: 10g (63%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g Monounsaturated Fat: 9g Cholesterol: 220mg (73%) Sodium: 798mg (35%) Potassium: 20mg (1%)
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
© Author: Olivia Ribas
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