When I’m feeding a crowd for the holidays, I make a whole roasted turkey. When I’m entertaining a smaller group, I opt for something like roasted cornish hen or roasted turkey breast instead. This is the best turkey breast I’ve ever had, it’s tender, flavorful and juicy – no dry meat here! Don’t forget the Instant Pot cranberry sauce and homemade dinner rolls on the side!
Roasted Turkey Breast Ingredients
To make roasted turkey breast you will need a turkey breast, butter, garlic, sage leaves, rosemary leaves, thyme leaves, parsley, kosher salt, black pepper and herbs for a garnish. For other variations on this dish, be sure to check out my smoked turkey breast and Instant Pot turkey breast recipes. If you have any leftovers, check out my favorite leftover turkey recipes like turkey casserole, turkey pasta carbonara, turkey tetrazzini and turkey salad.
How Do You Cook A Turkey Breast?
To make this roasted turkey breast recipe, first make seasoned butter by mixing minced herbs, garlic and seasonings into softened butter in a small bowl. Rub the butter on the turkey breast coating the whole breast. Place your turkey in a baking dish or roasting pan. Roast the turkey at high heat to crisp the skin, then lower the heat to cook everything thoroughly. Baste the turkey occasionally with pan drippings. When the roast reaches the correct internal temperature, remove it. Let it rest, then serve the turkey breast.
Tips For The Perfect Turkey
You can use a fresh or frozen turkey for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw the turkey before roasting it. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the thickest part of the breast reaches 165 degrees F before serving the meat. You can use a half turkey breast or a whole turkey breast for this recipe. However, a whole turkey breast will take longer to cook. You will want to double the butter mixture to coat a whole breast. If your turkey breast is larger or smaller than the size indicated in the recipe, you can adjust the cook time accordingly. Turkey breast cooks for approximately 20 minutes per pound. Garnish the roasted turkey breast with fresh herbs or even small fruit for a beautiful presentation. Bring out the best in your bird with turkey gravy!
Flavor Variations
If you’re not in the mood for garlic and herbs, try one of these other options to add some flavor to your roasted turkey breast!
Mexican: Mix the softened butter with my taco seasoning which includes chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and oregano. Cajun: Mix the softened butter with Cajun seasoning. Bacon Wrapped: Wrap 6-8 strips of bacon around the turkey breast until completely covered. This works best if you remove the turkey skin first. Maple: Add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to the butter mixture.
This roasted turkey breast is sure to be a huge hit with family and friends. It’s even great for an everyday dinner option on a chilly fall or winter night, comfort food at its finest!
Roasted Turkey Breast Video
