Turkey is the main dish at Thanksgiving, so it’s important to get it right. This easy, foolproof, and delicious Roast Turkey Recipe will help you do just that. This has a crisp, salty skin with a flavor-packed, juicy center. You’ll love my trick for a tender turkey breast every time.
Don’t be afraid to try something new in the kitchen, like the “year’s most important dish,” the Thanksgiving turkey. You can’t go wrong by adding this roast turkey recipe to your menu. It’s fantastic.
A beautifully browned juicy turkey breast makes for a festive yet fuss-free alternative to roasting a whole bird. With the right technique, you can bake a turkey breast that’s tender enough to cut with a fork.
Follow these tips and tricks for baking the most flavorful, incredibly moist turkey breast worthy of any holiday feast.
Why Bake a Turkey Breast?
There are several advantages to baking a turkey breast rather than a whole turkey:
- Perfect for smaller gatherings – Provides just enough meat without leftovers
- Cooks faster – A breast roasts in under 2 hours
- More flavor control – Rubbing a breast with herbs infuses maximum flavor
- Easier to prepare – No trussing or complicated roasting needed
- Minimal mess – Contained in a pan rather than a roasting tray
When you want juicy delicious turkey without the hassle baking a turkey breast is the way to go.
Choosing the Best Turkey Breast
Look for the following when buying a turkey breast:
- Bone-in – Bones help keep meat moist and add flavor
- Skin-on – Skin seals in juices and crisps up beautifully
- About 2 pounds – Feeds 4-6 people without leftovers
- Fresh or thawed – For even cooking and food safety
Boneless breasts or large frozen breasts don’t roast as evenly. Opt for a small fresh or thawed bone-in breast.
Prep the Turkey Breast for Roasting
To ensure moist, flavorful meat, prep your turkey breast properly:
- Remove giblets and neck – Check inner cavity and remove if still there
- Trim excess fat – This can cause splattering during roasting
- Loosen skin – Helps fat render and herbs penetrate
- Pat dry – Removes moisture for crispy skin
- Bring to room temp – So it roasts evenly
Create a Flavorful Herb Rub
Blending fresh herbs, spices, and oil makes a fast and easy wet rub:
- Fresh herbs – Rosemary, thyme, sage impart flavor
- Garlic – For aromatic flavor
- Spices and salt – For seasoning
- Olive oil – Binds everything together
Gently loosen the turkey skin and rub half the mixture directly onto the meat before replacing the skin. Spread the remaining rub all over the outside.
Roast Your Turkey Breast
Use these tips for roasting:
- Heat oven to 325°F – Low, steady temp prevents drying out
- Roast skin-side up – Helps skin get crispy
- Use a rack – Elevates turkey over pan drippings
- Roast until 165°F – Check temp in thickest part
- Rest before slicing – Allows juices to redistribute
Calculate roasting time at about 15 minutes per pound, less if boneless. Rest at least 15 minutes before carving.
How to Keep Turkey Breast Moist
Follow these tips for moist, delicious meat:
- Brine if possible – Soaking in a saltwater brine infuses moisture
- Roast at low temp – Slow roasting maintains moisture
- Baste with juices – Helps prevent drying out skin
- Rest before slicing – Allows juices to absorb back into meat
Properly baked turkey should be so tender and moist that the meat practically falls off the bone.
Make Amazing Gravy
The pan drippings left over after roasting create an incredible, rich gravy.
- Deglaze the pan – Scrape up all the browned bits
- Simmer with broth – For depth of flavor
- Thicken with flour – Equal parts fat and flour
- Finish with herbs – For fresh flavor
Don’t skip the gravy! It takes turkey to a whole new level.
Serving Ideas for Turkey Breast
Leftover roasted turkey breast is very versatile:
- Slice for sandwiches or over salad
- Dice and add to soups, pasta, pizza, tacos
- Shred for chili, casseroles, enchiladas
- Pair with cranberry sauce for a sandwich
- Pile on biscuits or waffles for breakfast
Get creative with the leftovers! The options are endless.
Common Turkey Roasting FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked turkey breast roasting questions:
How long should I roast a 2 pound turkey breast?
Figure around 30-35 minutes per pound, so about 1 hour – 1 hour 15 minutes total.
Can I stuff a turkey breast?
You can loosely stuff the cavity, but keep in mind it may require longer cooking time and won’t crisp the skin as evenly.
What temp should turkey breast meat reach?
Cook until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F for food safety.
Can I roast from frozen?
Do not roast a frozen breast. Always thaw in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking.
Can I roast on a sheet pan?
Yes, use a wire rack over a rimmed sheet pan to elevate it and allow air flow.
For the perfect main or holiday meal, baking a moist, flavorful turkey breast is sure to satisfy. Enjoy!
To Cook a Larger Turkey:
Many of you have asked about using a larger turkey. One of my readers, Shannon, shares her experience with a 23-pound turkey (Thanks Shannon!):
“I made this recipe last night with a 23-pound turkey, and it turned out great!! I used 3 sticks of butter, 1 cup of parsley, and the zest and juice of 2 lemons that I cut into quarters for the stuffing.” Kept one big onion peeled Cooked at 430 for 20 min and then 350 for about 5 1/2 hours, basting occasionally. I used the tin foil hat and had to make a few more tin foil pieces to cover the legs that were getting too hot. To get a nice browned top, I took off the tin foil hat with 10 minutes left to cook. Had tons of drippings to make a delicious gravy with. Will use this recipe every year! So flavorful and yummy. Thank you”.
For the Turkey Stuffing
I like to cook the stuffing for the turkey separately, so I stuff my turkey with aromatics instead (which makes the gravy taste great). If you do use traditional stuffing, make sure the turkey reaches 165˚F in the middle.
- 1 large onion, quartered (no peeling)
- 4 garlic cloves, halved (no peeling)
- 1/2 bunch parsley
- 1 lemon, quartered
