Description
This Herb & Garlic Roasted Turkey Breast recipe offers a flavorful and juicy alternative to a whole turkey, perfect for smaller gatherings or holiday meals. Coated with a fragrant butter, thyme, rosemary, and garlic mixture, the turkey breast is roasted to perfection with a crispy skin and tender meat, making it ideal for slicing and serving immediately or using in sandwiches.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey Breast
- 1 3-4 lb half turkey breast
Herb Butter Mixture
- 4 tbsp room temperature butter
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cracked black pepper
For Roasting
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a sheet pan or roasting pan with parchment paper to prepare for roasting the turkey breast.
- Prepare Herb Butter: Chop fresh thyme, rosemary, and mince garlic. In a bowl, combine the herbs and garlic with room temperature butter, mixing thoroughly. Use your fingers to soften and evenly blend the butter mixture.
- Coat Turkey Breast: Liberally spread the herb butter mixture both underneath and over the top of the turkey skin to ensure maximum flavor penetration.
- Place in Roasting Pan: Position the butter-coated turkey breast skin side up in the roasting pan. Optionally, elevate the breast on sliced onions, carrots, or celery instead of using parchment paper to enhance pan drippings’ flavor.
- Roast Turkey: Roast for 15-20 minutes per pound, approximately 1 hour total. Use a food thermometer to periodically check the internal temperature.
- Crisp the Skin: In the last 15 minutes, remove any cover and increase oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) to crisp the turkey skin beautifully.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the turkey breast from the oven once it reaches 150°F (65°C) and let it rest to allow carry-over cooking to reach 165°F (74°C). Slice immediately and serve, or allow to cool for sandwich meat.
Notes
- This recipe is ideal for those who want the taste of turkey without cooking a whole bird, making it perfect for smaller groups.
- Using fresh herbs and butter helps infuse the turkey breast with a rich, aromatic flavor.
- Resting the turkey breast is crucial for juicy, tender meat and ensures safe internal temperature.
- Optional use of vegetables in the roasting pan enhances the flavor of pan drippings for sauces or gravies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 oz cooked turkey breast)
- Calories: 584 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
