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Easy Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 462 reviews

This Easy Roasted Turkey Breast recipe delivers a succulent and flavorful main dish perfect for any special occasion or holiday meal. Using a mixture of fresh herbs and butter, the turkey breast stays moist and aromatic throughout roasting, resulting in a tender and juicy centerpiece that’s simple to prepare yet impressively delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Herb Butter Mixture

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 10 leaves fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

Main Ingredient

  • 1 turkey breast, 4-6 pounds, patted dry

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius), ensuring the oven rack is positioned at the bottom to allow for optimal heat circulation around the turkey breast.
  2. Prepare the turkey breast: Place the turkey breast in a large roasting pan. Pat it dry thoroughly inside and out with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which helps achieve a crispy exterior.
  3. Make the herb butter: In a small bowl, mash together the softened butter, fresh rosemary, sage, thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined. Set aside about 2 to 3 tablespoons of this mixture for topping the turkey later.
  4. Butter under the skin: Carefully use the back of a spoon to gently lift the skin away from the turkey breast flesh without tearing it. Spread the herb butter mixture underneath the skin evenly, ensuring full coverage. Smooth the skin back down over the breast to help lock in moisture during cooking.
  5. Roast the turkey: Place the roasting pan with the turkey breast in the preheated oven. Roast for approximately 90 minutes, or until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
  6. Rest and serve: Remove the turkey from the oven and spread the reserved herb butter over the top while it’s still hot. Allow the turkey breast to rest uncovered for 20 minutes before slicing to ensure the juices redistribute and the meat remains moist.

Notes

  • Do not tear the skin when lifting it to apply the herb butter, as the butter helps baste the meat during roasting.
  • Use a reliable meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for perfectly cooked turkey.
  • Resting the turkey after roasting is essential for juicy meat.
  • Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried herbs, but use about a third of the quantity.
  • This recipe works well for turkey breasts between 4 to 6 pounds; adjust cooking time accordingly for larger or smaller breasts.

Keywords: roasted turkey breast, herb butter turkey, holiday main dish, easy turkey recipe, roasted poultry

Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/easy-roasted-turkey-breast-recipe/