A beautifully browned stuffed turkey breast makes for a festive and delicious holiday centerpiece But to achieve ideal doneness with a tender interior infused with flavorful stuffing, proper cooking time is key.
Undercooking leaves you at risk for foodborne illness while overcooking results in an undesirably dry bird. Follow this guide to determine exactly how long to cook a stuffed turkey breast for maximum juiciness and taste.
Factors That Influence Cook Time
Several variables impact how long it takes to roast a stuffed turkey breast to perfection
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Weight – Heavier breasts require longer cook times. Allow 15-20 minutes per pound.
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Thickness – Thicker, plumper breasts need extended cooking than thin, flat ones.
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Bone-in or Boneless – Bone-in breasts take longer than boneless.
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Stuffing Ingredients – Dense, moist stuffings extend cook time.
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Cooking Method – Oven roasting takes longer than grilling or smoking.
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Oven Temperature – Higher heat decreases cook time, lower heat increases it.
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Brining – Soaking in a saltwater brine hydrates the meat, reducing cook time.
Calculating Cook Time by Weight
The most reliable way to determine stuffed turkey breast cook time is by weight. Use these estimates:
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3-4 pound breast – Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes
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5-7 pound breast – Cook for 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours
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8-10 pound breast – Cook for 2 to 2 hours 30 minutes
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12-15 pound breast – Cook for 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes
At 350°F, allow about 15-20 minutes per pound for stuffed boneless turkey breasts. Add 5 minutes per pound for bone-in.
Checking for Doneness
Rely on an instant-read meat thermometer, not just cook time, to assess doneness and avoid undercooking.
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Insert into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding bone.
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Temperature should reach 165°F for food safety.
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Juices should run clear with no pink color.
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Meat should feel firm yet tender and juicy.
What If It’s Undercooked?
If thermometer readings indicate the stuffed breast is undercooked, return it to the oven for 10-15 additional minutes until the 165°F mark is reached.
Signs of undercooking include:
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Thermometer below 160°F
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Raw, bloody juices
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Pink, translucent meat
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Mushy stuffing consistency
What If It’s Overcooked?
A thermometer reading over 170°F indicates the stuffed breast is overcooked. Signs include:
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Very firm, dry meat
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Chewy, stringy texture
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Crumbly, dried out stuffing
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Discolored, rubbery skin
You may be able to salvage slightly overcooked turkey breast by carving away very dried portions and ladling gravy over the rest.
Tips for Maximizing Juiciness
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Allow turkey breast to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking for more even roasting.
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Lightly coat with olive oil or melted butter before cooking. Baste again halfway through.
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Tent with aluminum foil for some of the cooking time to retain moisture.
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Let rest for 10-15 minutes after removing from oven so juices redistribute.
The Takeaway
Perfectly cooked stuffed turkey breast requires carefully monitoring cook times based on weight, temperature, and visual cues. With the proper method, your turkey breast will turn out tender and juicy every time, sure to draw rave reviews.
Cook the stuffing outside the turkey.
For uniform cooking results, the USDA recommends cooking the stuffing outside of the bird. If you insist on stuffing the turkey, stuff loosely and follow the steps below.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Check the wrapper to see how much the turkey weighs and determine approximate cooking time (see chart below). Remove the giblet bag from the breast and remove the neck from the turkey cavity. No need to wash the turkey, pat skin dry with paper towels.
- Mix stuffing and lightly fill cavity. Allow 1/2 to 3/4 cup stuffing per pound of turkey. It is safer to understuff than to overstuff the turkey. Stuffing expands during cooking. Refrigerate any leftover stuffing and bake in greased casserole during the last hour of turkey roasting time.
- Place turkey breast side up on a rack in a shallow (about 2 inches deep) roasting pan. Insert meat thermometer in thigh (see Turkey Safety: Using a Thermometer). Add up to 1/2 cup water to the bottom of the pan, if desired.
- Cover turkey loosely with a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Cooking time takes longer for a stuffed turkey. For example, a 20 pound stuffed turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 1/4 hours to cook. (See timetable below).
- Remove the foil cover after about 1 to 1 1/2 hours of cooking to brown the skin. Brush with vegetable oil to enhance browning, if desired.
- A whole turkey is done when the temperature in the innermost part of the thigh reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer. Check the temperature in the thickest part of the breast, the wing and the stuffing. The stuffing must reach 165°F or higher, if it is not, return it to the oven and continue cooking.
- Check the internal temperature of the stuffing. Insert the thermometer through the cavity into the thickest part of the stuffing and leave it for 5 minutes. Or use an instant red thermometer which will register the temperature after 15 seconds. The stuffing temperature will rise a few degrees after the turkey is removed from the oven. If the center of the stuffing has not reached 165°F after stand time, return the turkey to the oven and continue cooking.
- Allow turkey to set 20 minutes before removing stuffing and carving to allow juices to saturate the meat evenly.
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
Is it better to cook a stuffed turkey at 325 or 350?
For the best results, our Test Kitchen recommends cooking a stuffed turkey at 325°F. This allows the turkey to roast evenly for the juiciest meat.Nov 21, 2024
How long do you cook a stuffed turkey breast per pound?
Spread stuffing on top and roll the turkey around the stuffing. Wrap kitchen twine around breast and tie tightly. Place turkey in a roasting pan, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until internal temperature of the turkey breast is 165 degrees F, about 1 hour or 12 to 15 minutes per pound.
How long to cook a stuffed turkey per pound calculator?
| Stuffed | Unstuffed | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 pounds (breast) | 2½ to 3½ hours | 1½ to 3¼ hours |
| 8 to 12 pounds | 3 to 3½ hours | 2¾ to 3 hours |
| 12 to 14 pounds | 3½ to 4 hours | 3 to 3¾ hours |
| 14 to 18 pounds | 4 to 4¼ hours | 3¾ to 4¼ hours |
How long do you cook a butterball stuffed turkey breast?
Simply preheat your oven to 325 °F, brush the breast with a little oil and bake frozen for about 4 hours. Easy for a stress-free Christmas dinner!
How long do you cook a stuffed turkey breast?
The cooking time for a stuffed turkey breast primarily depends on its weight. As a general rule of thumb, allow 12 to 15 minutes per pound of turkey breast. However, several factors can influence the cooking time, including: The type of stuffing: Stuffings with higher moisture content may require slightly longer cooking times.
What temperature should a stuffed turkey breast be cooked at?
The recommended cooking temperature for stuffed turkey breast is 165°F (74°C) to ensure that it is fully cooked and safe to eat. The cooking time will depend on the size and weight of the turkey breast. As a general guideline, it’s best to cook the stuffed turkey breast at 325°F (163°C) for about 20 to 25 minutes per pound.
How long to cook a stuffed turkey per pound?
In general, you’ll want to cook a bone-in turkey breast for about 20 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C), or until it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). How long to cook a stuffed turkey per pound calculator?
How long do you cook a turkey breast in the oven?
Roast the turkey breast: Roast the turkey breast in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F (68°C) when measured with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the roll.
How long should a stuffed turkey breast rest before cooking?
Yes, it’s crucial to allow the stuffed turkey breast to rest for about 15-20 minutes after removing it from the oven. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a moister and more tender turkey.
How do you cook a stuffed turkey breast in a Dutch oven?
Spread the stuffing over one side of the turkey breast, leaving 2 inches uncovered on all sides. Roll up and secure tightly with kitchen twine. Heat the remaining oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Sear the stuffed turkey breast on all sides until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side.