Roasted Turkey Breast

If quick and easy meal ideas are your thing, then you are going to love this easy oven-roasted turkey breast recipe. Flavorful, juicy, and fulfilling, this dish takes less than 5 minutes to prepare and only 24 minutes until it hits your table.

Keep reading because today, we'll walk you through the steps to recreating this deliciously juicy, incredibly flavorful, and super easy turkey breast.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This simple turkey breast recipe will become a favorite because it can be incorporated into your culinary repertoire on various levels.

First, you will love how quick and easy this turkey breast recipe is to prepare. It takes 5 minutes to prepare the turkey for roasting using ingredients that you likely have in your pantry right now. That is all the effort required from you while the turkey does its thing in the oven.

Additionally, you will love how easily adaptable this roasted turkey breast recipe is. You can change any element of this recipe to suit your personal taste preferences, whether that means swapping the turkey and butter for vegan options or giving your seasoning more heat by adding cayenne and red pepper flakes.

Finally, this flavorful turkey breast can be combined with a number of side dishes to create a meal. Serve it with all the trappings of a traditional turkey dinner, or opt for a lighter combo by serving your lean and healthy turkey breast with a light and fresh salad.

Ingredients

Butter:

Butter is often used as the base of a marinade for turkey breast due to its ability to add richness, flavor, and moisture to the meat. The fats in butter help to tenderize the turkey breast while also creating a golden and crispy exterior when roasted. Alternatively,  you can use olive oil, coconut oil, vegan butter, dairy-free margarine, or vegetable oil as a substitute for butter in the marinade. These oils offer similar richness and moisture to the turkey breast while also providing a neutral base for incorporating seasonings.

Seasonings:

While this recipe calls for an abundance of different seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and paprika, you can experiment with any of your other favorite herbs and spices that aren't in this quick and easy turkey breast recipe. Sage, oregano, lemon pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, dill, parsley, basil, onion powder, dried mustard, and even citrus zest can be used to add flavor to your herb-roasted turkey breast. Mix and match these seasonings according to your taste preferences to create a flavorful rub or marinade.

Turkey Breast:

When selecting a turkey breast for your recipe, choose a fresh or thawed turkey breast that suits the number of servings needed, opting for bone-in or boneless, depending on your preference. Keep in mind that a bone in turkey breast will require more cooking time than a boneless one. Start by rinsing it under cold water and patting it dry with paper towels. For an even more flavorful turkey breast, you can brine it to enhance its flavor and juiciness. To create a simple brine, combine water, kosher salt, brown sugar, and aromatics such as bay leaves, peppercorns, and garlic cloves in a large container or brining bag. Submerge the turkey breast in the brine and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

In addition to turkey, you can get creative with other protein options such as chicken breasts, pork loin, beef tenderloin, tofu, or tempeh. Cooking times and temps may vary with each option, so ensure you adjust accordingly.

Lemon:

Sliced lemons are laid on top of the turkey breast because their acidity helps tenderize the meat resulting in a juicier and tastier end product. Additionally, the lemons act as a natural basting agent, continuously keeping the turkey breast moist and infusing it with their citrusy flavor. Other citrus can be used in place of lemon, such as lime, orange, and grapefruit.

Rosemary Sprigs:

When added to an oven-roasted turkey breast, fresh rosemary sprigs add a burst of aromatic flavor and fragrance to the recipe. Their pine-like, earthy notes complement the savory taste of the turkey breast, enhancing its overall taste profile. In the absence of fresh rosemary, you can also roast fresh sage, basil, thyme, oregano, parsley, or marjoram with the turkey.

How to Make a Roasted Turkey Breast

Step One: 

Add butter, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and shallots to a bowl.

Step Two: 

Stir to combine.

Step Three: 

Add your turkey breast to a baking dish and cover it with the butter-based marinade.

Step Four:

Garnish with lemon and rosemary sprigs, cover with a lid, and bake for 15-20 minutes at 325F.

Step Five: 

Serve with your favorite side dishes, and enjoy!

Tips

• Basting the turkey breast with pan juices or melted butter throughout the cooking process can help keep it moist and add flavor. However, be mindful not to open the oven door too frequently, as this can cause fluctuations in temperature.
• To check for doneness, use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey breast reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
•  Allow the turkey breast to rest for 10-15 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a juicier turkey breast.
• When slicing the turkey breast, use a sharp carving knife and slice against the grain for the most tender pieces.

What to Serve With This Turkey Breast

When serving this succulent and flavorful turkey breast, consider complementing it with a variety of delicious side dishes to create a well-rounded meal. Classic accompaniments like creamy mashed potatoes, savory stuffing, savory gravy, and tangy cranberry sauce offer a comforting and traditional touch.

For a burst of freshness, serve alongside vibrant roasted vegetables such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes. For a lighter alternative, a crisp garden salad with a zesty vinaigrette adds a refreshing contrast to the richness of the turkey.

Looking for more ideas? Check out What To Serve With Turkey Breast for 22 delicious side dishes.

FAQs

Should I remove the skin before cooking this easy turkey breast recipe?

Whether to remove the skin before cooking is a matter of personal preference. Leaving the skin on can help keep the turkey breast moist, but removing it can reduce the fat content.

What can I do if my turkey breast is dry?

Dry turkey breast is typically caused by overcooking, so the best way to ensure a moist, tender turkey breast is to keep a close eye on it while cooking to ensure it doesn't get overcooked. Additionally, basting it with pan juices or covering it with foil can help retain moisture. If your turkey breast turns out dry, you can moisten it by serving it with gravy or a flavorful sauce. You can also slice it thinly and serve it with extra broth or pan drippings to add moisture.

How long can turkey breast leftovers be kept fresh?

Leftover turkey breasts can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer-term storage, you can also freeze them for up to 3 months.

More Turkey Recipes

Turkey is a healthy, lean, and filling protein option for mealtime. Check out this collection of some of our favorite turkey recipes to inspire your next meal.

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