Roasted boneless turkey breast turns out fabulously juicy and crispy-skinned when baked for a relatively short time at a high temperature. Show
Well-seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, and thyme, this easy 8-ingredient recipe yields impressive results. No doubt, there's something festive about serving - and carving - an entire turkey at the table. 🦃 But for intimate Thanksgiving (or Christmas) gatherings, cooking just the breast is the ideal solution. It's the perfect size for four people. Another advantage of roasting just the breast: When you bake it by itself it's easier to make sure it comes out juicy. When you roast the whole bird, despite your best intentions, the white meat often turns out too dry. Jump to:
IngredientsYou'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need: Avocado oil spray: This neutral-tasting oil is very suitable for high-heat cooking. To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dried thyme. Boneless turkey breast half: I typically use a boneless, skin-on breast half because I find it easy to slice and eat. But bone-in is fine too. Melted butter: Unsalted or salted, doesn't make much of a difference, so use whatever you have on hand. I tend to use salted butter in this recipe. InstructionsRoasting a boneless turkey breast is truly easy. Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps: First, brush the turkey with melted butter and sprinkle it with spices. Now, place it on a greased rack fitted into a rimmed baking sheet and spray it with oil. The extra layer of oil helps the spices stay moist. Bake the turkey initially for 20 minutes, to nicely brown the skin. Then, loosely cover the turkey with foil to prevent the top from scorching, and then continue roasting until it's cooked through. The total cooking time will be 45-60 minutes. See the detailed discussion below. Expert tipIt's really important to let the meat rest for 20 minutes before slicing it. This prevents juices from escaping and helps ensure juiciness. Frequently asked questionsHow long does it take to roast a turkey breast? Just like baked chicken breast, I find that the secret to crispy skin and juicy meat is cooking at a high temperature for a relatively short time. This method ensures wonderfully crispy skin and juicy, succulent meat. When cooked at 450 degrees F, the total cooking time for half a breast is 45 - 60 minutes. Because of its size, you will need to loosely cover it with foil after about 20 minutes in the oven, then finish roasting it. The foil will keep the top from scorching. How to roast a whole breast? If you'd like to roast a whole breast instead of half, you can use the same method of browning it in a very hot oven, then loosely covering it with foil and continuing to roast until done. But you'll need more time. The last time I cooked a whole, 3 ½ lb. breast, I baked it for 1.5 hours. It took that long for an instant-read thermometer to register 160 degrees F. It turned out fabulous, with crispy, savory skin and very juicy meat, the juiciest we’ve ever had actually. But it does require a longer time commitment than using breast halves. How do I keep it juicy? The first secret is to roast it at a high temperature and for a relatively short time. The second secret: Allow it to rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing it. This allows the juices to settle and redistribute, ensuring juicy meat. VariationsI love this recipe as is and almost always make it as written. But in case you'd like to vary the basic recipe, here are a few ideas for you:
Serving suggestionsI typically make this recipe for Thanksgiving, so I serve it with cranberry sauce, gravy, and any of these sides:
Storing leftoversThe leftovers keep in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Although the skin does lose its crispness. I don't like to reheat the leftovers, as they tend to dry out. I usually make a platter of cold leftover turkey slices, alongside some Dijon mustard, fresh-cut veggies, and pickles. Needless to say, if you eat bread (or would like to try this wonderful almond flour bread), you can use the leftovers to make tasty sandwiches!
👩🏻🍳 I typically publish a new or an updated recipe once a week. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe! You can unsubscribe at any time. Recipe cardOven-Roasted Boneless Turkey BreastRoasted turkey breast turns out juicy and crispy-skinned when baked for a relatively short time at a high temperature. Prep Time15 mins Cook Time1 hr Rest time20 mins Total Time1 hr 35 mins Course: Main Course Cuisine: American Servings: 4 servings Calories: 321kcal
If you'd like to roast a whole breast instead of half, you can use the same method of browning it in a very hot oven, then loosely covering it with foil and continuing to roast until done. But you'll need more time. The last time I cooked a whole, 3 ½ lb. breast, I baked it for 1.5 hours. It took that long for an instant-read thermometer to register 160 degrees
F. Most of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes. Serving: 6oz | Calories: 321kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 300mg I typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want them in your inbox? Subscribe! ❤️ Let's connect! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter. How long does it take to cook a 3 pound Butterball turkey breast in the oven?Place turkey breast in 350° oven and heat until warm. 3/4 - 1.5 hours. Check temperature with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be 140° F.
How long does it take to cook a 3 pound turkey breast at 325?Roasting times for a turkey breast cooked in a 325 degrees F oven: Unstuffed, a 2 to 3-pound turkey will cook from 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Unstuffed, a 7 to 8-pound turkey will cook from 2 1/4 to 3 1/4 hours; if stuffed, it will cook in 3 to 4 hours.
Do you cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350?The best oven temperature to cook a turkey breast is 350°. But 325° can work, but it will take a bit longer. The skin will not be as crisp and will potentially dry a little more. 375° is too high, and you will cook the skin very rapidly.
Is a 3 pound turkey breast enough for 3 people?Here's your answer: If you're buying a whole turkey, plan on 1 lb of turkey per person. For a bone-in turkey breast, get 3/4 lb per person (½ lb per person for a boneless breast).
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