Keep frozen. Cook thoroughly to 165.0 degrees F for safety. Preparing your butterball turkey breast: Thaw: Refrigerator: Thaw turkey breast in unopened wrapper, on a tray, in the refrigerator for 1 to 3 days. Do not thaw at room temperature. Quick thaw – cold water: Place unopened turkey breast in sink filled with cold tap water for 4-8 hours. Change water every 30 minutes. Once thawed, keep in refrigerator until ready to cook. Prepare (if cooking from frozen see direction below): 1. Remove packaging: Remove netting and wrapper. Refrigerate gravy packet until ready to use. Drain juices and pat turkey breast with paper towels. 2. Stuff turkey – when roasting, if desired: Stuff turkey breast just before roasting. Lightly fill rib and neck cavities; cover exposed stuffing with foil. Approximate thawing & cooking times: Weight – 3 to 5 1/2 lbs. Thaw* in refrigerator – 1 to 2 days. Roast** unstuffed – 1 1/2-2 1/4 hours. Roast** stuffed – 2-2 3/4 hours. Frozen unstuffed – 3-3 3/4 hours. Grill unstuffed – 1 1/2-2 hours. Weight – 5 1/2 to 9 lbs. Thaw* in refrigerator – 2 to 3 days. Roast** unstuffed – 2 1/4-2 3/4 hours. Roast** stuffed – 2 3/4-3 1/4 hours. Frozen unstuffed – 3 3/4-4 1/2 hours. Grill unstuffed – 2-2 1/2 hours. *Always thaw in unopened wrapper, thaw on tray in refrigerator, or thaw in cold water, change water every 30 minutes. Do not thaw at room temperature. **Use a shallow open pan with a flat rack in a 325 degrees F oven. If turkey is covered or placed in an oven cooking bag, cook time will vary. Roast: 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 2. Place prepared turkey breast, skin side up, on flat roasting rack in 2″ deep open roasting pan. Do not add water to pan. 3. Brush or spray skin with vegetable oil; insert oven-safe meat thermometer into the deepest part of the breast, not touching bone. 4. Roast uncovered according to time guidelines chart or until meat thermometer in thickest part of muscle is 170 degrees F. If turkey breast is stuffed, the center of stuffing should be 165 degrees F. Roasting times will vary from guidelines if turkey breast is covered or placed in an oven cooking bag. 5. Let turkey stand 15 minutes before carving. To roast from frozen: 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 2. Remove netting and wrapper. 3. Place turkey breast, skin side down, on flat roasting rack in 2″ deep open roasting pan and roast for 1 hour. Do not add water to pan. 4. Carefully remove gravy packet and refrigerate packet until ready to use. 5. Turn turkey breast skin side up; brush or spray skin with vegetable oil; insert oven-safe meat thermometer into the deepest part of the breast, not touching bone. 6. Continue roasting uncovered to an internal temperature of 170 degrees F on a meat thermometer. 7. Let turkey stand 10 minutes before carving. Grill: Go to www.butterball.com for grilling directions and great recipe ideas.
Cooking a juicy, flavorful butterball turkey breast in the oven is easier than you think! With the right techniques and cook times, you can have a perfect turkey breast ready for any occasion. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to roast a tender, mouthwatering butterball turkey breast.
Choosing the Right Butterball Turkey Breast
Butterball offers a variety of turkey breast options to choose from. When selecting your turkey breast, consider:
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Bone-in vs Boneless: Bone-in turkey breasts have more flavor but take slightly longer to cook. Boneless cook faster but may be less moist.
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With or Without Skin Skin-on breasts will be more moist and flavorful, Skinless cooks marginally faster
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Weight Turkey breasts range from 1-14 lbs Estimate 1/3 lb per serving for bone-in and 1/4 lb per serving for boneless
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Frozen vs Fresh: Thawing is required for frozen breasts. Allow 1 day thawing per 4-5 lbs.
Pick a breast size suitable for the number of portions needed. Inspect for any unwanted preservatives or additives.
Prep Work for the Best Results
Proper preparation is key for roasted turkey breast perfection:
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Thaw completely if using a frozen breast. Thaw in the fridge 1 day per 4-5 lbs.
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Remove packaging, giblets, etc. Rinse turkey and pat dry.
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Season as desired. Herbs, spices, oil, salt, and pepper recommended.
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Bring to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before cooking.
Oven Roasting Times and Temperatures
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Preheat oven to 325°F. Use a roasting pan fitted with a rack.
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Cook time: Estimate 20 minutes per lb. But use a meat thermometer for accuracy!
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For a 10 lb breast, that’s around 3 1/2 hours. 6 lb is approximately 2 hours.
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Internal temp should reach 165°F. Insert thermometer into thickest area.
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Rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
If breast is extra large, you may need to tent with foil to prevent overcooking. Monitor closely and adjust time or temp if needed.
Cooking Tips and Techniques
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Roast skin-side up on a rack in shallow roasting pan. Elevates turkey for even cooking.
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Baste frequently with broth, melted butter or pan drippings for added moisture and flavor.
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Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Ovens vary. Cook times are a guide.
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Tent loosely with foil if breast browns too quickly or edges look dry.
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For crispier skin, cook at 350°F. Watch closely to avoid drying out meat.
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Let rest 15 minutes before slicing for juicy meat.
Adjusting Cook Time and Temperature
Cooking times are estimates and ovens vary. To adjust:
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Cook longer at lower temp (300°F) for ultra moist and tender meat.
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Cook less time at higher temp (350°F) for crispier skin. Watch closely to avoid drying out.
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Temp too high/fast cooking? Tent with foil, baste, lower temp by 25°F.
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Undercooked? Return to oven and continue cooking until 165°F.
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Only part undercooked? Slice off that portion and cook separately.
Always allow turkey breast to rest for at least 15 minutes before serving for the juiciest texture.
Handling Turkey Breast Undercooking
If your turkey breast is undercooked, take these steps:
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Check internal temp in thickest part. If under 165°F, it requires more oven time.
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Return breast to oven and continue cooking at same temp until 165°F. Monitor closely to avoid overcooking.
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If only certain portions undercooked, slice those off and cook separately to 165°F.
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Once turkey breast is fully cooked to 165°F, remove from oven and allow to rest 15 minutes before serving.
Undercooking can happen if cook time was inaccurate or oven temperature is inconsistent. Use a meat thermometer and adjust oven temp/time if needed.
Frozen Turkey Breast Cook Times
For frozen butterball turkey breasts:
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Thaw completely in fridge 1 day per 4-5 lbs turkey.
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Cook at 325°F. Same 20 minutes per lb guideline.
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Add 30-60 minutes to overall cook time compared to fresh.
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Turkey breasts 8 lbs or larger may take 4+ hours to roast fully from frozen state.
Closely monitor temperature and tent with foil to prevent overcooking on exterior before interior is 165°F.
Troubleshooting Oven Roasted Turkey Breasts
Having trouble getting perfect turkey breast results? Here are some common issues and solutions:
Turkey skin is dry and tough: Baste more frequently, cook at lower temp (300°F), and tent with foil if browning too quickly.
Turkey breast is undercooked: Return to oven and cook longer until 165°F internal temp.
Meat near bone undercooked: Carefully slice off that portion and cook separately to 165°F.
Turkey is overcooked and dry: Unfortunately overcooking cannot be reversed. In the future, use a meat thermometer and adjust oven temp/time to ensure 165°F.
Turkey doesn’t have much flavor: Brine turkey breast before cooking for added moisture and flavor. Also season under skin as well as over it.
Roasting takes longer than expected: Check oven temp with thermometer to confirm accuracy. Adjust time down slightly next attempt.
Mastering the Perfect Butterball Turkey Breast
Follow these tips for oven roasted excellence:
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Select an appropriately sized fresh or thawed turkey breast.
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Prepare the turkey breast for roasting. Season, bring to room temp, pat dry.
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Roast at 325°F, calculating 20 minutes per lb.
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm 165°F internal temp.
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Allow turkey to rest before slicing into tender, juicy portions.
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Adjust oven temp and cook times if breast seems to cook unevenly.
With the proper techniques, times, and temperatures, you’ll have a delicious and foolproof butterball turkey breast ready for any special meal. Enjoy your perfectly oven roasted turkey!
DescriptionButterball® Whole Turkey Breast with Ribs and Back Portion.Contains upto 18% of a solution of water, salt, natural flavors.*No artificial ingredients.Minimally processed.+Except for the gravy packet.All natural*+.American Humane certified.humaneheartland.org.Inspected for wholesomeness by U.S. Department of Agriculture.USDA Grade A.Gravy packet included.Gluten free.Always tender & juicy.
| Title | Raw Turkey |
| Energy | 160 |
| Total Fat | 4.5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 70 mg |
| Sodium | 410 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Daily Percent Of Calcium | 2 |
| Daily Percent Of Iron | 10 |
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
How long to cook Butterball turkey breast in the oven?
- Preheat the oven to 325°F
- Rinse the turkey breast under warm water
- Place the turkey breast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan
- Brush the turkey breast with oil to prevent drying
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F
- Let the turkey breast stand for 10 minutes before removing the netting and slicing
Is it better to cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350?
- Juicy results: The lower heat allows for slower cooking, which helps retain moisture in the turkey breast.
- Less risk of burning: With a lower temperature, the skin is less likely to burn before the meat reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Consistent cooking: A lower temperature ensures the turkey breast cooks evenly throughout.
How long does it take to cook a 3lb frozen turkey breast?
If you’re looking to cook a frozen turkey breast in the oven, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to allow for enough time to cook the turkey breast through. A good rule of thumb is to allow for about 30 minutes per pound of turkey.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey breast?
You can pour a little of water in the bottom of the roasting pan, but keep in mind the turkey will release drippings as well as it cooks. However, if you’re making gravy, it’s best to add about a cup of water to the roasting pan.