Description
This whole turkey breast recipe offers a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy a glazed and roasted turkey perfect for holiday meals or family gatherings. The turkey breast is infused with fresh herbs and citrus, then glazed with a rich maple syrup and butter mixture, resulting in tender, juicy meat with a sweet and savory crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Aromatics
- 1 (7 lb.) whole turkey breast (fresh or frozen and thawed)
- ½ of an apple, chopped into two pieces
- ½ of a lemon
- ½ of an onion
- 1 stalk celery, halved
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- Kosher salt, to taste
Glaze
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Ensure the turkey breast is completely thawed, then pat it dry with paper towels. Season generously with kosher salt on all sides to enhance flavor.
- Arrange Aromatics: Place the chopped apple, halved lemon, onion, celery, rosemary, and thyme into the roasting pan. These aromatics will infuse the turkey with subtle, fragrant flavors during roasting.
- Set the Turkey: Place the seasoned turkey breast on top of the bed of aromatics in the roasting pan, skin side up, to allow even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small saucepan, melt the salted butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the maple syrup and water until well combined. Remove from heat.
- Roasting and Glazing: Brush the turkey breast generously with the maple syrup and butter glaze. Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven and roast uncovered. Every 30 minutes, baste the turkey breast with additional glaze to build a rich, caramelized crust.
- Cook Until Done: Roast for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes (135 minutes total), or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring safe and juicy meat.
- Rest the Turkey: Remove the turkey breast from the oven and tent with foil. Let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat moist.
- Serve: Slice the turkey breast against the grain and serve with your favorite sides, spooning some of the pan juices over the slices for added flavor.
Notes
- Keep the holidays simple with a glazed and roasted whole turkey breast!
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to the perfect temperature for safety and juiciness.
- Basting frequently helps achieve a beautiful, flavorful glaze and crispy skin.
- Leftovers can be saved for sandwiches, soups, or salads.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 917 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 1165 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 113 g
- Cholesterol: 348 mg
