How to Cook a Fully Cooked Turkey Breast for Maximum Juiciness and Flavor

Fully cooked turkey breast is a convenient shortcut for whipping up quick and delicious meals. While fully cooked turkey breast can be eaten straight from the package, taking a few extra steps to prepare it properly makes a world of difference in terms of flavor and texture In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share tips, techniques, and recipes for cooking fully cooked turkey breast so it turns out juicy, tender, and packed with flavor every time

Why Choose Fully Cooked Turkey Breast?

Opting for fully cooked turkey breast has many advantages over raw turkey breast or whole turkey:

• Convenience: Fully cooked turkey is ready to eat as-is or just needs a quick reheat. This saves the time and effort of seasoning, stuffing, trussing and roasting raw turkey.

• Less waste With no bones, skin or excess fat, fully cooked turkey breast contains 100% edible meat Less prep work also means less mess to clean up

• Quick cooking: Fully cooked turkey breast takes a fraction of the time to prepare compared to cooking raw turkey from scratch.

• Portion control Fully cooked turkey breast comes in convenient sizes from 1 to 5 pounds Pick the right size for your meal without the guesswork

• Year-round availability: While whole turkeys are a once-a-year food, fully cooked turkey breast can be found in grocery store delis year-round.

With all these advantages, it’s easy to see why fully cooked turkey breast is a smart shortcut for busy home cooks. Now let’s look at how to take it from bland and boring to beautiful and delicious.

Tips for Maximizing Flavor

While fully cooked turkey breast is pre-seasoned, you can take flavor to the next level with these easy tricks:

• Brine before cooking for added moisture and a more seasoned interior.

• Coat with herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage to infuse flavor.

• Rub with flavored butter before or after cooking. Try lemon, garlic, herbs or orange.

• Baste while cooking to keep moist and add flavor. Use glazes, pan juices or broth.

• Sear or grill to get crispy, caramelized exterior.

• Make an easy pan sauce by deglazing the cooking pan with wine or broth.

With the right mix of these techniques, it’s simple to take your fully cooked turkey breast from bland to beautiful.

How to Cook Fully Cooked Turkey Breast

When it comes to cooking methods, fully cooked turkey breast is extremely versatile. Here are some top techniques:

Oven Roast: Roast at 325°F for 20-25 minutes per pound until browned and 165°F internal temperature. Tent with foil to prevent drying out.

Grill: Get smoky charred flavor by searing 4-5 minutes per side over direct heat then moving to indirect heat to finish cooking.

Broil: Broil 5-6 inches from heat source for 5 minutes per side until browned, then continue broiling to 165°F internal temperature.

Sear and Simmer: Get a crispy sear in a hot skillet then transfer to oven at 350°F until 165°F internal temperature. Make a pan sauce.

Slow Cooker: Add broth and cook on low 6-8 hours until heated through. Shred for sandwiches or slice for entrees.

Instant Pot: Pressure cook with broth 8-12 minutes per pound on high pressure then natural release. Check internal temperature.

Poach: Gently simmer in broth or wine until heated through, 15-20 minutes. Use poaching liquid as a sauce.

The cooking method you choose depends on whether you want to focus on rich roasted flavor, smoky charred flavor, a crispy crust, fall-off-the-bone shreddable meat, or keeping things easy and low-maintenance.

Helpful Cooking Tips

Follow these tips for best results when cooking fully cooked turkey breast:

• Always thaw frozen turkey completely before cooking. Allow 24 hours per 1 lb.

• Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Turkey is safe to eat at 165°F.

• Let turkey rest 5-10 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.

• Carve across the grain for more tender slices.

• Add broth or water to the pan to prevent drying out. Tent with foil.

• Make an easy sauce from the pan drippings after cooking.

• Refrigerate leftovers for 3-4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving again.

Pairing Turkey Breast with Sides

While delicious on its own, fully cooked turkey breast pairs nicely with these sensational sides:

• Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, squash, carrots or cauliflower

• Creamy mashed potatoes for comfort food flair

• Savory stuffing or dressing for a taste of Thanksgiving

• Tangy cranberry sauce to cut through the richness

• Green bean casserole for a classic veggie dish

• Dinner rolls to sop up the pan gravy

• Fresh salad with vinaigrette to balance the meal

With sides like these, your turkey breast will shine as the star of a spectacular dinner spread.

Recipe Inspiration

Here are just a few recipe ideas to inspire you:

• Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast with gravy

• BBQ Turkey Sandwiches with roasted turkey breast and tangy sauce

• Turkey Mediterranean Salad with spinach, feta, tomatoes, chickpeas

• Cranberry Turkey Flatbread with Havarti, turkey, spinach and sauce

• Turkey Enchiladas with pepper jack, turkey and green enchilada sauce

Don’t be afraid to get creative with seasonings, sauces, and recipe ideas to take your fully cooked turkey breast to the next level!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to cook fully cooked turkey breast?

Allow 20-25 minutes per pound at 325°F oven temperature. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Can you cook frozen fully cooked turkey breast?

Yes, but thaw first for more even cooking. Thaw 24 hours per 1 lb. in the fridge. Add 50% more oven time if cooking frozen.

What’s the best way to reheat fully cooked turkey breast?

Oven roasting at 325°F works well. Bring turkey breast to an internal temperature of 165°F. Tent with foil to prevent drying out.

What temperature should fully cooked turkey breast be when done?

Cook until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F, then let rest 5 minutes before carving.

The Takeaway

With the right techniques and recipes, fully cooked turkey breast can become the star of your meal. Focus on enhancing flavor, keeping it moist, and pairing it with complementary sides. In no time, you’ll be whipping up gourmet turkey dishes with ease. Happy cooking!