Easy Roast Turkey Breast Recipe

Jump to Recipe

So peeps, as soon as I see turkey stacked high and in large amounts, at my local supermarket I know it’s the start of Thanksgiving, soon to be followed by the Christmas silly season.

So it is my sign that I need to stock up and yes, we will quickly have a jam-packed freezer without being able to find anything. You’ll only leave buying a turkey last minute once and never do it again. 

Roast Turkey Breast Recipe

Sooooooo this turkey breast roast is one I love to do for Friendsgiving or if I am hosting a few of my friends before the big occasions. If you’re having a small intimate family gathering this is the turkey for you. The reason is that it’s smaller serving and comes out so juicy and tender. It will also convert anyone who does not like turkey, trust me on this one. 

This turkey breast also only takes about 1 hour to cook with minimal prep time. It is also super lean and believe it or not, sans the gravy, a healthy dinner. 

And, you want to have some leftover turkey although it may be a stretch. We love this Leftover Turkey Stroganoff, and we love choosing from these 21 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes. Leftovers don’t need to be repetitive and boring!

Ingredient Notes

For the Turkey Breast

• Boneless skin-on turkey breast – I like skin on as it helps lock in moisture and flavor. You can also use bone-in turkey breast, but keep in mind it will take a bit longer to cook.
• Butter – This helps keep the turkey breast juicy while roasting. You also get lovely golden-brown skin.
• Olive oil – Combined with butter, it helps the skin crisp up and adds a nice richness to the turkey.
• Garlic – Freshly minced garlic adds a lovely flavor. 
• Kosher salt – This salt works best for seasoning the meat.
• Cracked black pepper – Freshly cracked black pepper adds a bit of a bite.
• Classic herbs – Fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme works well with turkey meat. You can replace the herbs with parsley, tarragon, or oregano if you prefer different flavors.

For the Pan Gravy

• Onion – Chop them finely for even cooking.
• Garlic – Garlic helps to balance the richness of the butter and cream.
• Butter – This forms the base for the roux. It helps to thicken the gravy.
• All-purpose flour – Helps thicken the gravy, turning turkey drippings and stock into a must-have sauce.
• Chicken stock – Thins the gravy and adds savory flavor. You may need to adjust the amount based on the drippings you have from the turkey.
• Heavy cream – Adds extra richness and smoothness to the gravy.
• Kosher salt and cracked black pepper – An important seasoning to balance the flavors in the gravy.
• Chopped parsley (optional) – A fresh and colorful garnish to add to the presentation of the dish.

How To Roast A Turkey Breast

Get complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card further below. 

For the Turkey Breast

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F / 190 degrees C. While it heats up, let the turkey breast rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This little trick helps it cook more evenly.
2. Mix the butter, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, sage, rosemary, and thyme in a small bowl. Rub that mixture all over the turkey breast, making sure to get every side. Gently lift the skin (don’t remove it!) and rub some of the butter mixture under there too.
3. Place the turkey breast skin-side up in a large oven-safe skillet, and pop it into the oven. Plan on cooking it for about 20 minutes per pound, or until it reaches 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C on an instant-read thermometer. I recommend checking at around 50 minutes and then every 10 minutes after that until it’s perfectly cooked.
4. Once the turkey hits 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C, transfer it to a cutting board, cover it with foil, and let it rest while you make the gravy.

For the Pan Gravy

Bintu’s Tips

• Let the turkey breast come to room temperature 30 minutes before roasting. This will make it cook evenly and you’ll avoid any dry spots.Rubbing butter and herbs under the turkey skin adds extra flavor directly to the meat. Don’t skip this as it helps keep it moist and juicy. The skin also crisps up to perfection!
• Turkey breast can easily dry out if overcooked. Check the internal temperature as you’re aiming for 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C for a perfectly cooked turkey. Start checking around 50 minutes followed by 10-minute increments.
• Let the turkey breast rest for 10-15 minutes after it comes out of the oven. Cover it with foil. This process will let the juices redistribute, making the meat even juicier.
• Don’t throw out the liquid gold aka the drippings! They’re packed with flavor, and using them in the same skillet means you get all those crispy, browned bits for a richer, tastier gravy.
• If your gravy is too thick add a little more chicken stock. If it is too thin then let it simmer for a bit longer to reduce and thicken. Gravy consistency can vary depending on how much drippings you have.
• Fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme give the turkey an amazing flavor. But if you only have dried herbs on hand, that will work. You only need to use about half the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.

Delicious Variations 

• Lemon and Herb Turkey Breast – Add lemon zest into the butter mixture and add a few lemon slices under the skin. You can also squeeze fresh lemon juice over the turkey before roasting.
• Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast – Wrap the turkey breast in strips of bacon before roasting. The bacon will keep the meat extra juicy.
• Herb and Mustard Crusted Turkey Breast – Combine Dijon mustard with butter, herbs, and garlic, and coat the turkey breast with this mixture. 

Prep And Storage

• Prep Ahead – Prepare the butter mixture up to 2 days in advance and store in the fridge. You can also season the turkey the day before, then refrigerate it overnight. Let it come to room temp before roasting.
• Store – Leftover turkey can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Gravy can be stored separately for 2 days and reheated on the stove or in the microwave.
• Freeze – Freeze sliced turkey for up to 3 months in freezer-safe bags. Gravy can also be frozen for 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat.

FAQs 

Similar Recipes

• Smoked Turkey Breast
• Air Fryer Turkey Breast
• Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Garlic Butter Gravy

Serve With:

• Easy Air Fryer Green Beans – A quick and healthy veggie side that adds a nice crunch to your meal.
• Glazed Instant Pot Carrots – These glazed carrots make a delicious side.
• Brussel Sprouts Gratin – These crispy sprouts bring a bit of texture to the main dish.

Recommended Tools

• Awesome sharp knives.
• Best sea salt flakes for all the flavors.
• A skillet to cook the turkey to perfection.
• For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

Thank you for reading my roast turkey breast recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Get Turkey Breast Recipe