Savory Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

Crafting Flavor: Essential Ingredients for Your Roasted Turkey Breast

Creating an exceptionally moist and flavorful roasted turkey breast starts with quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need, along with tips for making the most of each component:

• Boneless Turkey Breast: Typically ranging from 3-4 pounds, these are the star of the show. While bone-in options exist, boneless cooks faster and carves with ease. If using frozen, remember to thaw it completely in the refrigerator for 2-3 days before cooking.
• Butter (Room Temperature): This is crucial for both flavor and moisture. Softened butter mixes beautifully with herbs and spices, making it easy to spread evenly over the turkey, ensuring a golden crust and juicy meat.
• Fresh Garlic: For that rich, aromatic depth, fresh minced garlic is irreplaceable. Its pungent flavor mellows and sweetens as it roasts, infusing the turkey with deliciousness. While garlic powder is used in the gravy, fresh is best for the rub.
• Fresh Herbs (Thyme, Rosemary, Sage): These classic poultry herbs are a game-changer. Fresh herbs deliver a vibrant, complex flavor that dried herbs simply can’t match. They form a fragrant crust and impart an unmistakable aroma that signifies a true holiday feast.
• Onion Powder & Black Pepper: These seasonings complement the fresh herbs, adding layers of savory flavor. Onion powder offers a subtle sweetness and depth, while black pepper provides a gentle warmth.
• Sea Salt: Essential for seasoning the turkey generously, sea salt not only enhances flavor but also helps tenderize the meat.
• Carrots & Onions (Peeled and Cut): These vegetables aren’t just for garnish; they serve multiple purposes. Arranged around the turkey, they create a flavorful bed, prevent the turkey from scorching, and release juices that become the foundation for an incredible homemade gravy. Use yellow or white onions for a classic flavor, cut into quarters, and carrots peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces.
• Avocado Oil (or Olive Oil): A touch of oil helps the vegetables caramelize and prevents them from sticking to the pan, while also contributing to the overall pan drippings.

Mastering the Roast: How to Cook a Boneless Turkey Breast in the Oven

Achieving a perfectly juicy and golden-brown roasted turkey breast is simpler than you think. Follow these easy steps for a delicious meal:

1. Prepare the Turkey: Begin by placing your thawed boneless turkey breast into a 9×13-inch baking dish or roasting pan. Ensure the fat or skin side is facing up. Using paper towels, thoroughly pat the turkey dry. This crucial step helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust. Generously sprinkle sea salt on all sides of the turkey.
2. Craft the Herb and Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened room-temperature butter with the fresh minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, sage, onion powder, and black pepper. Use a fork to mash and blend all the ingredients until they form a cohesive, aromatic mixture.
3. Apply the Flavorful Butter: Using a spatula or your hands, spread this herb butter mixture evenly over the entire top surface of the turkey breast. If your turkey breast has skin, you can even gently lift the skin and rub some butter underneath for extra moisture and flavor.
4. Roast to Perfection: Toss the prepared carrots and onions with a little avocado oil and a teaspoon of minced garlic in a separate bowl. Arrange these seasoned vegetables around the edges of the turkey breast in the baking dish. Insert a reliable meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast, making sure it doesn’t touch the bone (if applicable) or the pan. Place the uncovered turkey into your preheated oven at 350°F. Roast for approximately 80-90 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If the top begins to brown too quickly, lightly tent it with aluminum foil.
5. Crucial Resting Period: Once your turkey breast reaches the target internal temperature, remove it from the oven. Resist the urge to slice it immediately! Let the turkey rest, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is incredibly tender and moist. After resting, slice and serve your magnificent creation. Enjoy every succulent bite!

Elevate Your Meal: Homemade Turkey Gravy From Drippings

No roasted turkey is complete without a rich, savory gravy made from the pan drippings. This simple recipe will turn those flavorful juices into a luscious sauce that perfectly complements your turkey. Be sure to save all those delicious drippings!

1. Blend Drippings with Onions and Broth: Carefully pour all the turkey drippings from your roasting pan into a blender. Add about ¼ cup of the cooked onions from the pan, then add enough chicken broth until the total volume of liquid (drippings + onions + broth) reaches 3 cups. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This incorporates the roasted onion flavor beautifully.
2. Season and Simmer: Transfer the blended drippings to a large saucepan and place it over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a low simmer. Taste the gravy and adjust the seasonings as needed. This is your chance to add more salt, black pepper, onion powder, or garlic powder to achieve your desired flavor profile.
3. Thicken the Gravy: In a small separate bowl, combine 2-3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water. Stir vigorously until you have a smooth, lump-free slurry. Slowly whisk this cornstarch slurry into the simmering gravy. Continue to heat and whisk constantly until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency, coating the back of a spoon. Pro Tip: If your gravy becomes too thick, thin it out with a little more chicken broth. If it’s too thin, create another small cornstarch slurry and whisk it in until the desired thickness is reached.
4. Serve Immediately: Once thickened, remove the gravy from the heat and serve hot alongside your roasted turkey breast.

The cooking time for a boneless turkey breast can vary based on its size, your oven’s accuracy, and the roasting temperature. The most reliable way to ensure your turkey is safely cooked and perfectly juicy is always to use a meat thermometer. The turkey is done when the internal temperature in the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).

• At 350°F (175°C): A 3-4 pound boneless turkey breast will typically take approximately 80-90 minutes, which breaks down to about 20-23 minutes per pound of meat.
• At 400°F (200°C): For a faster roast, a 3-4 pound boneless turkey breast will usually cook in about 60-80 minutes, or roughly 15-20 minutes per pound of meat. Keep a closer eye on it at this higher temperature to prevent over-browning.

Boneless turkey breasts are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience, but they can sometimes be a bit trickier to find than whole turkeys, especially outside of the holiday season. However, they are well worth the search!

• Major Supermarkets: Check the frozen food aisle at large grocery stores like Costco or Walmart, particularly in the months leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Butcher Shops: Your local butcher is often the best source for high-quality boneless turkey breast, and they can sometimes even prepare one for you upon request.
• Specialty Food Stores: These stores often carry a wider variety of meats and cuts throughout the year.

Boneless turkey breasts are often sold skin-on, weighing around 3-4 pounds. It’s best to leave the skin and the thin layer of fat on top, as they help keep the meat incredibly moist and juicy during roasting.

Yes, you absolutely can! A bone-in turkey breast will provide even more flavor from the bone as it roasts. However, keep in mind that bone-in turkey will generally require a slightly longer cooking time than a boneless breast. Always use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part.

Roasted turkey breast pairs wonderfully with a wide array of classic and contemporary side dishes. Consider serving it with Parmesan Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Roasted Green Beans, a savory Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan-Crusted Topping, or a refreshing Cranberry Orange Sauce. For more inspiration, check out our list of 33 Of The Best Thanksgiving Sides.

Expert Tips for a Flawless Roast

Follow these tried-and-true tips to ensure your roasted boneless turkey breast is nothing short of spectacular:

• Thawing is Key: If your turkey breast is frozen, begin thawing it in the refrigerator 2-3 days in advance. For a quicker (but less ideal) thaw, place the sealed turkey in a large bowl of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. This will still take several hours.
• Room Temperature Roasting: For more even cooking and juicier meat, allow your turkey breast to sit out at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before placing it in the oven. This helps reduce cooking time and prevents the exterior from cooking too quickly while the interior lags.
• Fat/Skin Side Up: Always roast your turkey breast with the fat or skin side facing up. This allows the fat to render and baste the meat naturally, keeping it incredibly moist and ensuring a deliciously crispy skin (if present).
• The Thermometer is Your Best Friend: Never guess! A reliable meat thermometer is essential. The turkey is perfectly cooked when the internal temperature in the thickest part registers 165°F (74°C).
• Prevent Over-Browning: If the top of your turkey is browning too quickly before it reaches 165°F, simply tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
• Serving Portions: Plan for approximately ½ pound of raw turkey meat per person to ensure everyone gets a generous serving.
• Don’t Waste Those Drippings: Remember to save every drop of those flavorful pan drippings! They are the secret ingredient for making the most incredible homemade turkey gravy.

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Leftovers

Proper storage and reheating ensure your roasted turkey breast remains delicious long after the meal is over, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying flavorful leftovers.

• Refrigerator Storage: Store any leftover turkey breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezer Storage: To extend its shelf life, slice the turkey breast and place it in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, removing as much air as possible. It can be stored frozen for up to 1 month.
• Reheating Instructions:
  • Microwave: For quick reheating, microwave individual portions until warmed through.
  • Oven: For larger quantities or to prevent drying, place sliced turkey in a shallow, oven-safe dish, add a few tablespoons of chicken broth to keep it moist, cover with foil, and rewarm in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 30 minutes, or until heated through.

  If your turkey appears a little dry, adding a splash of chicken broth before reheating works wonders to restore moisture.

• Leftover Ideas: Transform your leftover turkey into delicious sandwiches, salads, quesadillas, soups, or even casseroles!