My juicy, flavorful Boneless Turkey Breast Recipe is the perfect size for a small holiday meal and is ready in just one hour. Roasted with the most delicious dry rub, it has beautiful, crispy skin and is so tender!
Cooking a boneless skinless turkey breast may seem intimidating but it’s actually quite easy and rewarding! When done right it results in tender, juicy meat with amazing flavor. In this article, I’ll walk you through the simple process step-by-step.
Ingredients
To start, you’ll need just a few ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless turkey breast (1-2 lbs per person)
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, thyme
- Aromatics like onions, garlic, lemon
Make sure to pat the turkey dry before seasoning This helps the seasonings stick better
Seasoning is Key
Properly seasoning the turkey breast is crucial for maximizing flavor, Here are some tips
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Generously coat both sides with olive oil or melted butter. This keeps the meat moist and promotes browning.
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Sprinkle both sides liberally with salt and pepper. I also like using garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, sage.
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Consider making a quick herb rub by combining dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage. Rub it all over the turkey breast.
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Stuff slices of lemon, garlic, onions, or fresh herbs under the skin. This infuses tons of flavor into the meat.
Cooking Methods
You can cook a boneless turkey breast using a few different methods:
Oven Roast
This is by far the easiest and most popular option. Simply preheat your oven to 350°F and place the seasoned turkey breast on a baking sheet or pan. Cook for about 1 hour 15 mins to 1 hour 30 mins until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Basting halfway through with melted butter or turkey broth helps keep it moist.
Pro Tip: Tent the turkey with foil during the last 15 minutes if the top browns too quickly.
Grill
For added smoky flavor, try grilling your turkey breast over direct medium heat. Grill each side for 5-7 minutes until nicely charred. Then, move it to indirect heat and grill for 20-25 minutes more, until 165°F. Glazing it with barbecue sauce produces crispy, caramelized edges.
Cook on Stovetop
You can also cook the turkey breast right on the stovetop! Simply heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned breast and brown both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Then, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until 165°F internally.
Slow Cooker
For maximum convenience, use a slow cooker. Add 1 cup broth to the slow cooker and nestle in the seasoned breast. Cook on low for 4-6 hours until extremely tender. The meat shreds easily!
Carve and Serve
Once cooked through, transfer the turkey to a cutting board and tent with foil. Let rest for 10-15 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. To carve, slice against the grain into thin pieces.
Serve your boneless turkey breast hot alongside classic Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and veggies. It also makes excellent sandwiches and salads when cooled.
Recipes and Variations
Now that you’re a pro at cooking boneless skinless turkey breast, try out these tasty recipe ideas:
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Herb-Butter Turkey Breast – Slather a compound herbed butter under the skin before roasting
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Chipotle Turkey Breast – Rub with spicy chipotle seasoning and grill to perfection
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Cranberry-Pecan Stuffed Turkey Breast – Carefully butterfly the breast and stuff with a cranberry, pecan, and sausage filling
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Turkey Roulade – Pound the breast thin, then fill with spinach, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes before rolling and tying
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BBQ Turkey Breast Sandwiches – Shred and toss cooked turkey in your favorite barbecue sauce
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Turkey Salad Wraps – Dice or shred leftover turkey breast and add to a lettuce wrap with veggies and dressing
As you can see, cooking boneless skinless turkey breast is easy and offers limitless possibilities. With the proper seasoning and cooking method, you’ll have moist, flavorful meat everyone will love. Experiment with different flavor profiles and make this versatile ingredient a staple in your home kitchen!
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Boneless Turkey Breast FAQs
Why wait for Thanksgiving to make a turkey? A boneless turkey roast is a perfect choice for serving a small crowd over the holidays or for making dinner any time of the year without cooking a whole bird. My family loves turkey so this is a winner at our house throughout the year! These roasts include both white and dark meat and usually come with a gravy packet. They are typically around 2.5 to 3 lbs. and will serve around 5 to 6 people.
You will need approximately half a pound person since you dont have to take bones into account. Of course, I love leftovers so I always add an extra pound.
Boneless Turkey Breast Ingredients
- Boneless Turkey Breast: You will need a boneless turkey breast that is approximately 2.5 to 3 pounds.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter, but you can also use salted butter. Just adjust the amount of salt youre using for the turkey rub.
- Turkey Rub: My turkey rub uses paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, chicken flavor bouillon, sugar, and dry mustard.
- Carrots: I recommend using whole carrots youve peeled and sliced yourself, and not baby carrots.
- Celery: Stalks cut into slices.
- Turkey Stock: You can also use chicken stock. I like to make my own stock with chicken bones (or turkey bones), and recommend it!
- Parsley: Optional, for garnish.
- Garlic Butter: Optional, but so good! Use my recipe for garlic butter.
- Fresh Rosemary: Optional, for garnish.
Another great choice for seasoning is my Rosemary Garlic Salt mix.
As you all know, we have a large family, so on Thanksgiving, I usually make a large garlic butter turkey, which is our favorite! My family loves turkey, so I have been known to make turkey all throughout the year. Whether you are like me or have a smaller family gathering for the holidays, this is the most delectable, crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside turkey you will ever make.
Oh, you havent lived until you try my Popeyes Cajun Turkey! To say I am a turkey expert is an understatement!
How to Cook Boneless Skinless Turkey Breast
FAQ
Do you cook a boneless turkey breast at 325 or 350?
The best oven temperature to cook a turkey breast is 350°. An oven temp of 325° can be used, but it will take longer, and the skin will not be as crisp. 375° is too high–you will cook the skin rapidly and need to tent it with aluminum foil near the end of cooking to prevent over-browning.
How long to cook butterball boneless skinless turkey breast?
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Before removing plastic bag place roast under warm, running water for 1 minute. …
- Place turkey on rack in shallow roasting pan. …
- Cook until meat thermometer reads 165°F (74°C) – approximately 3 – 3 ½ hours.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before removing netting and slicing.
How do you cook a turkey breast so it doesn’t dry out?
By roasting turkey upside down, the breast meat is protected from the oven’s searing heat by the rest of the bird.
What temperature should a boneless turkey breast be cooked at?
- Roasting: A classic cooking method for turkey breast. You can roast turkey breast at 450°F for 30 minutes, then at 300°F until it reaches 160°F.
- Deep-frying: Another way to cook turkey breast.
- Grilling: You can grill turkey breast.
- Smoking: You can smoke turkey breast until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
How do you cook a boneless skinless turkey breast?
One of the easiest and most foolproof ways to cook a boneless skinless turkey breast is by oven roasting. Here’s a simple and flavorful recipe to get you started: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Season the turkey breast with your favorite herbs and spices. Garlic, rosemary, thyme, and paprika work wonderfully.
How long do you cook a boneless turkey breast in the oven?
Season your dog’s boneless chicken or turkey breast with olive oil and oven bake for around 25 minutes, or as directed on the packaging for the weight, or boil for approximately 8-15 minutes after bringing the water to the boil. It’s important to cook separately to avoid mixing with any of your own turkey’s seasoning, such as stuffing or onions.
Can you cook a turkey breast alone?
There’s something festive about serving and carving an entire turkey at the table. But cooking just the breast is the ideal solution for intimate holiday gatherings. It’s the perfect size for four people. Another advantage of this recipe: When you cook the breast by itself, it’s easier to ensure it comes out juicy.