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Herb Roasted Turkey Breast ~ an easy, foolproof method for a well seasoned, tender and juicy turkey breast!
First, lemon juice, butter, garlic, dry mustard, and lots of fresh herbs are blended together to form a paste that is spread under the skin and on top of the bird before roasting. Boy-o-boy does this smell wonderful while roasting in the oven. I love the herby flavor with a little garlic and a big zing from the fresh lemon juice. It’s really hard not to ‘gobble-gobble’ slice after slice while carving it up!
Not everybody wants or needs to roast a whole turkey for the holidays.
We actually love turkey all year long so roasting a turkey breast is great way to turn one piece of poultry into several dinners and lunches. Can’t you just see a big beautiful slice of turkey piled on your favorite bread with a slathering of mayo? Salt and pepper on mine too please 🙂 Turkey sandwiches are the best. You might want to hang onto this recipe because turkey breasts will go on sale soon. Then you can make this deliciously flavored bird without feeling the wrath of angry family members when you change the traditional Thanksgiving menu!
Our daughter is hosting her first ever Thanksgiving double-family extravaganza this year.
She is also baking her very first turkey – such fun! I told her about the 1-800 Turkey Talk-Line at Butterball – hehe, just in case. I’m bringing some of the sides, and this Herb Roasted Turkey Breast to help feed the big, hungry crowd. And maybe a pie too because I enjoy making and sharing PIES for the holidays!
No matter if you’re feeding a crowd, or hosting a simple dinner for two, this Herb Roasted Turkey Breast is sure to be a welcome addition to your table.
While this turkey breast makes a memorable holiday main course, it also makes great the best leftovers, superb sandwiches and heavenly casseroles like our Turkey Tetrazzini. Try this fantastic turkey breast; it’s tender, flavorful and juicy. We all love it and hope you will too!
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Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Yield: 8
Course: Main Course
An easy, foolproof method for a well seasoned, tender and juicy turkey breast!
Ingredients
- 1 whole bone-in turkey breast, thawed (6-7 pounds)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, stems removed, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- juice of 1 whole lemon
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing on the bird)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Rinse the turkey breast in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place the turkey breast skin side up on a rack set inside a roasting pan.
- In a small bowl combine the garlic, mustard, rosemary, sage, thyme, salt, pepper, butter and lemon juice. Mix to combine.
- Gently loosen the skin from the meat by pushing your fingers under the skin. Spread half the paste directly on the meat. Rub the remaining herb mixture evenly on top of the skin. Pour 1 cup of wine into the bottom of the roasting pan. Roast the turkey breast for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and brush the entire turkey breast with olive oil. Add a small amount of water to the bottom of the pan if the wine has evaporated.
- Return the turkey breast to the oven and roast for another 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and cover the turkey breast with foil. Allow it to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before carving.
Recipe Notes
Recipe adapted from Ina Garten
Here are a few of our favorite kitchen tools used when making this turkey breast (each photos is clickable):
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Finally, are you ready for the holidays? They’re sneaking up on us!
If you’re still looking for more company worthy recipes, check out these super easy and stunning Duchess Potatoes. Perfect for a crowd an easily made ahead. We love sweet potato casseroles and if you do too, check out these easy, delicious Sweet Potato Soufflés in Orange Cups with Cinnamon Pecans – perfect for the buffet table! Here’s a great resource for 15 Easy and Colorful Thanksgiving Sides from The View from Great Island. Got leftovers? You may want to try these creatively delicious Turkey and Stuffing Phyllo Packets from Seasons and Suppers. Don’t forget the Soft No Knead Dinner Rolls from RecipeTin Eats. These would make the best turkey sliders!
If you’re looking for a way to change up your leftover turkey sandwiches, be sure to check out our healthy Turkey Waldorf Wraps and one of my personal favorites, the Turkey, Apple & Cheese Panini with Hot Pepper Jelly!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
Monica says
Every so often, I roast a bone-in turkey breast for dinner and it’s such a hit. I wish our dinner plates looked this good, though. Thanks for sharing your recipe – it looks great!
Tricia Buice says
You are the sweetest Monica! Gotta love an easy turkey breast and leftovers are the best. Have a terrific week.
Susan says
Goodness sakes, this looks delicious, Tricia! I have the hardest time keeping turkey breast moist when cooking alone so would love to try this recipe. Time to stock up on those bargain turkeys and turkey breasts 🙂
Tricia Buice says
I agree Susan – good turkey breasts are sometimes hard to find so when I see them on sale, I want to grab a few for later. Thank you!
cheri says
What a beautiful plate Tricia! I have never cooked just the turkey breasts but will try my hand at it this year, love the seasoning and spices that you used.
Tricia Buice says
It’s such a nice change Cheri – I love the extra herby flavor. Have a terrific week and thanks again!
John/Kitchen Riffs says
We always do a whole turkey for Thanksgiving (love the leftovers!), but will roast a turkey breast several times during the year. Just because we like turkey so much. Good post — and I can’t imagine your family would let you get away without making a pie for a holiday! Yours are so good. 🙂
Tricia Buice says
Thank you John 🙂 I bet you make a beautiful turkey for Thanksgiving.
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
Thanksgiving is looking mighty fine at your house. I’m still stuck on those pumpkin crinkle cookies!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Abbe! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Pam says
Well this made me and my better half drool, Tricia! It looks delicious! That’s a great combo of herbs on it! We roast a whole turkey and a breast so will have to try your version. Thanks for sharing and good luck to your daughter! Bet it will be a great feast!!!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Pam! Hope you and your husband have a terrific Thanksgiving.
Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef says
Cooking just the breast with the flavorful butter rub makes the meat moist and tender. It looks delicious Tricia and the leftovers would be perfect for sandwiches. Pinned!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Gerlinde!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
I eat turkey year round and a turkey breast is the best way to do that. Loving your herb roasting. Simply perfect!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Jennifer – our favorite too 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
I’m a huge fan of turkey breast and this looks like a wonderful way to prepare it. I bet the herbs make your house smell heavenly as this turkey bakes!
Tricia Buice says
Yes it does smell heavenly Chris – thanks!
Sue/the view from great island says
You are killing me with this post…nothing is as tempting as a hot turkey dinner!
Em (Wine and Butter) says
ooh – we had turkey today at school and it was totally yum.. we also made it with this amazing cranberry relish that I totally need to post the recipe for.. twas delish! xox
Laura @Wylde Thyme says
I hear you about not messing with thanksgiving… they will never forgive you! Think I have a turkey still lurking in the freezer too, can't wait to try!
iheartvegetables.com says
I'm always impressed when people come up with their own herb combinations! I always rely on pre-mixed shakers! haha
McMGrad89 says
This looks great and since I have been relegated to poultry and fish, it will make my meals more interesting.
Angie's Recipes says
o boy this looks too good! Look at those slices…so tender, succulent and tasty!
Emily @ She Makes and Bakes says
This looks incredible. So tender and juicy. Can't wait to try!!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
this looks SOOOOOO good – beautifully moist and delicious!<br />So glad to have found your blog – it's lovely, happy to follow and looking forward to more!<br />Mary x
Tricia says
Thanks for stopping by Mary – love your blog too and look forward to sharing 🙂
Big Dude says
This sounds delicious and I want to try it on the smoker.
Tricia says
Let me know when it's ready Larry! Yum!