No holiday is complete without a flavorful and juicy Classic Roast Turkey Breast recipe, and this one does not disappoint! It’s a super easy and quicker alternative to cooking an entire turkey. It turns out perfect every time.
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Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
This classic oven-roasted turkey breast is one of those holiday recipes that belongs in every kitchen. It is simple, super flavorful and the meat is so tender! Each bite of this juicy turkey breast is filled with the mouthwatering flavors of the seasoned garlic butter.
But the best part? This recipe is awesome for those who prefer white meat over dark meat, which means that nothing goes to waste. Plus, there’s no need to fuss over an entire turkey when this classic recipe tastes just as amazing but in much less time.
Save the pan drippings to make a quick pan gravy or you can get a jump on your cooking with this Make Ahead Turkey Gravy. Serve it with a side of this Homemade Cranberry Sauce at your next Thanksgiving feast.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make: This turkey breast recipe allows you to enjoy a turkey dinner with less work and in less time than cooking a whole bird.
- Tender and juicy meat: This recipe makes a turkey breast that’s so tender and juicy it practically melts in your mouth.
- Great for a smaller group: If you’re just feeding your family or a few friends, turkey breast is a great option compared to a full size turkey.
Ingredients
- Bone-in turkey breast
- Unsalted butter (or olive oil for a dairy-free option)
- Poultry seasoning
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion
- Lemons
- Fresh garlic
How to Make Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast
Step One: Add the Turkey Breast to Your Baking Dish
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees with the rack lowered.
- Place your turkey breast in a 9 x 13 baking dish or roasting pan.
Step Two: Make the Garlic Herb Butter
- In a small bowl melt your butter. Combine butter with the poultry seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Step Three: Season the Turkey
- Quarter the onion, slice the lemons and garlic in half, and place around the turkey breast.
- Coat the turkey breast in the garlic herb butter mixture. Make sure you coat the top well, so you’ll get golden brown and crispy skin.
Step Four: Roast and Serve
- Place the turkey in the oven and cook for 2-2.5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees with a meat thermometer at the thickest part of the breast. Keep in mind the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the breast.
- Remove from the oven, loosely cover with aluminum foil, and let the turkey breast rest for 15-20 minutes.
- Place the breast on a cutting board, and using a sharp knife, slice and serve the juicy cooked turkey breast!
Easy Roasted Turkey Breast Variations and Add-ins
- Other fresh herbs: For additional herb flavor, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, sage, or parsley can be added to the roasting pan.
- Honey or maple syrup: Drizzle a touch of sweetness to the top of the skin with a little bit of honey or maple syrup.
- Other fruits: As the breast cooks the lemon juice infuses the turkey juices, which makes awesome gravy. You can also use oranges, tangerines or limes.
- Wine: Though we roast this turkey without extra liquids, you can use some white wine to deglaze the pan to make gravy.
- Mushrooms and onions: Sautéed onions and mushrooms can give the turkey a delicious earthy flavor.
- Other veggies: You can add chopped carrots, parsnips, and celery to the bottom of the roasting pan.
- Chicken: Though we’re talking turkey with this recipe, you can cook roast chicken the same way. Of course, it won’t take as long so make sure to adjust the cooking time.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Allow the leftover turkey breast to cool to room temperature after cooking. It should stay fresh for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Place the sliced or leftover unsliced turkey in an airtight container or a freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Thawing: When you’re ready to serve it, thaw it overnight in the fridge. You can reheat the turkey breast in the oven, microwave, or on the stove in a skillet.
Can I Use Boneless Turkey Breast Roast?
You can definitely use a boneless turkey breast roast for this recipe. In fact, boneless turkey breasts are sometimes preferred because they’re easier to work with and can cook even quicker than bone-in turkey breasts. The best way to prevent dry turkey is to use an instant-read thermometer. You’re looking for an internal temp of 165 degrees F.
How Much Turkey Do I Need Per Person?
As a general rule of thumb, you can figure on about 1/4 to 1/3 pound of turkey meat per person. This can vary depending on how many and what kind of side dishes you serve with it.
Holiday Side Dishes to Serve with Turkey
- Cranberry Jello Salad
- Pineapple Casserole
- Jiffy Corn Casserole
- Green Bean Casserole
- Glazed Carrots
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Funeral Potatoes
- Sugared Cranberries
- Carrot Souffle
Classic Roast Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 5 pounds turkey breast
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 onion
- 2 lemons
- 1 bulb of garlic
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees with the rack lowered.
- Place your turkey breast in a 9 x 13 baking dish.
- In a small bowl melt your butter and stir in the poultry seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Quarter the onion, slice the lemons and garlic in half and place around the turkey breast.
- Coat the turkey breast with the butter mixture.
- Place the turkey in the oven and cook for 2-2.5 hours until thermometer reaches 165 degrees at the thickest part of the breast.
- Remove from the oven, loosely over with foil and let rest 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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