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.
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 my Healthier 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.
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: This turkey breast is cooked in a fraction of the time of a whole turkey and it’s so delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Watch the Garlic Butter Turkey Breast Web Stories.
Garlic Butter Turkey Breast
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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
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
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Brigitte Sheldon says
Best, easy, juicy Turkey breast ever. Everyone loved it.
Olivia says
That’s awesome!!
Shelley Bonas says
Most amazing way to cook a turkey breast. The best taste ever.
Olivia says
I couldn’t agree more with you 😉
Manon Métivier says
That look so good …. Will try that and thinking serving with sweet and spicy carrots🙂 xmas is gonna be there soon.
Olivia says
Mm.. perfect side dishes to try with this Turkey breast recipe.
Petra Church says
This recipe is wonderful! We love turkey in our family, especially my son, so we like to have it more than just for holidays. This is a really delicious moist turkey breast. It also produces a really rich turkey gravy. For the herb butter, i also use sage as well I like the savory taste. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
Olivia says
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe! Having turkey beyond the holidays sounds delightful, especially with a recipe that delivers such a moist turkey breast and rich gravy. Adding sage to the herb butter is a fantastic choice for that extra savory goodness. It’s wonderful to hear it worked out well for you. Happy cooking and enjoying those delicious meals together!
Carol Dolisi says
I used this recipe for the first time this year since I was just roasting a breast & not the whole
turkey. I was worried that the breast would come out dry. It come out delicious, moist & tender. My husband is very picky & loved it. He wants me to cook it the same way next year!
Olivia says
That’s amazing! So glad to hear the roasted turkey breast turned out moist and delicious. It’s fantastic that even your picky husband loved it! Looks like you’ve found your winning recipe for next year’s feast!!
Anne Sperte says
It was just me for Thanksgiving this year so I used this recipe to make a small turkey breast. It was so easy and delicious!! The turkey came out perfectly coated and slightly crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Definitely a make again!!
Olivia says
That sounds wonderful! I’m thrilled to hear the recipe worked out well for your smaller Thanksgiving gathering. A perfectly crispy coating and juicy interior—what a win! Here’s to many more delicious meals ahead!
Jerry Payne says
I love turkey. I love garlic. I love butter. Combining these three things I love resulted in an incredible, tasty combination! Thank you!
Olivia says
You’re welcome! Happy you liked it.
Jean Golden says
Best turkey I have ever made, thx to this recipe. The turkey breast was so tender and perfectly seasoned. My guest raved about it. This is my new favorite recipe!!
Olivia says
That’s fantastic to hear! So glad the turkey turned out tender and flavorful, and even more thrilled that your guests loved it too! It’s always wonderful when a recipe becomes a new favorite.
Bill Tiedemann says
This was the best Turkey Recipe! Took it to a family gathering and everyone raved about how tasty and moist it was. There was other turkey there but this is the one that disappeared! No leftovers for me. Darn. I will have to make 2 turkey breasts next time.
Olivia says
That’s fantastic to hear! It sounds like your turkey stole the show at the gathering. No leftovers might just be the best compliment! Making two turkey breasts next time sounds like a delicious plan. Here’s to more tasty gatherings in the future!
Linda Bradford says
Delicious, tender, favorable, moist turkey. What more can you say? My new go to recipe. 😋
Olivia says
That’s fantastic to hear! It’s wonderful that you’ve found your new go-to recipe 😋🦃