How Long To Cook a 9 Pound Turkey Breast for Maximum Juiciness

Are you tired of serving dry turkey breasts? Fortunately, it can be avoided and we are here to show you how.

Turkey breast meat is thick yet super lean (minimal fat). Due to the thickness, turkey breasts typically need about two hours to cook all the way through. If you cooked fatty meat for that long, the fat would melt during the cooking process, lubricate the muscle fibers, and keep the meat juicy. Since the typical turkey breast contains little fat, it can dry out during long cooks.

You can avoid serving dry turkey breasts by wet or dry brining before cooking, but that won’t be feasible if you don’t have the time or fridge space to brine a turkey breast. If brining is not an option, consider cooking your turkey breasts in a slow cooker.

NOTE: We highly recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure doneness as every slow cooker cooks differently. Internal temperature needs to be 165°F in both the thickest part of the breast (without touching the bone) and in the thighs to ensure doneness and food safety.

Cooking a 9 pound turkey breast can seem intimidating for many home cooks How long should you cook it and at what temperature to achieve a perfectly cooked turkey breast that’s moist, tender and delicious? Follow this guide to get your 9 lb turkey breast just right every time!

Overview of Cooking Times

The general rule of thumb when roasting a bone-in turkey breast is to allow around 15-20 minutes per pound at 325°F oven temperature. This means a 9 lb turkey breast will need approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours total cook time.

For boneless turkey breasts, you can reduce cook time slightly to 12-15 minutes per lb since there is no bone. A boneless 9 lb breast will be done in about 2 to 2 1/4 hours.

However, don’t rely solely on calculated cook times. The shape and thickness of each breast can impact total cooking time. Let an instant-read thermometer be your guide for when the turkey breast is finished. Cook until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F.

Why Cook Times Vary

There are several factors that influence the time needed to roast turkey breast to perfection

Bone-in vs Boneless – Bones conduct heat slower than meat and provide some insulation to the surrounding meat Boneless cooks faster.
Shape/Dimensions – Short, fat breasts cook quicker than long, slender ones of equal weight.
Frozen vs Thawed – Always thaw completely before cooking. Frozen needs much longer cook time.
Brined or Unbrined – Brining can cut cook time slightly as it tenderizes the meat.
Oven Temperature – Higher temps shorten cook time, while lower temps increase it.
Stuffing – Stuffed breasts take longer to allow stuffing to reach safe temperature.

Tips to Reduce Cook Time

If you’re pressed for time, here are some tips to shorten the roasting time for a 9 lb turkey breast:

Butterfly the breast – Cutting it open exposes more surface area for faster cooking.
Raise oven temp – Cook at 375°F instead of 325°F to reduce time. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Grill over charcoal or wood – The high heat of grilling shaves off some minutes.
Use an oven-safe meat thermometer – Lets you increase oven temp at end once breast is nearly done.
Cut breast in half – Reduces the cooking time for each smaller piece.
Remove the bone – Eliminates the bone’s insulating effect for quicker cooking.
Brine the breast – Brining can reduce cook time slightly by tenderizing the meat.

Step-by-Step Guide for Roasting

Follow these simple steps for roasting a juicy, flavorful 9 lb turkey breast:

Thaw – Thaw completely in the fridge 1 day per 5 lbs. A 9 lb breast needs 2 days.
Prep Breast – Remove from packaging, rinse, pat dry. Trim excess fat/skin if desired.
Season – Rub olive oil over breast then coat evenly with favorite seasoning blend.
Insert Thermometer – Place oven-safe meat thermometer in thickest part, avoiding bone.
Roast – Place breast on a rack in a roasting pan, cook at 325°F until 165°F internally. About 2 1/2 – 3 hours.
Rest – Remove breast from oven, tent loosely in foil, let rest 15-20 minutes before slicing.

It’s that easy to roast a 9 lb turkey breast to juicy perfection every time. Your meat thermometer is the best indicator of doneness rather than relying on cook times alone. Enjoy your moist, delicious turkey breast!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long per pound do you cook a turkey breast?

For a bone-in breast, allow 15-20 minutes per pound at 325°F oven temperature. For a boneless breast, cook for 12-15 minutes per pound.

Should you cover turkey breast while cooking?

It’s a good idea to loosely tent turkey breast with foil during roasting to prevent over-browning or drying out. However, remove foil for the last 30 minutes to crisp the skin.

What temperature is best to cook turkey breast?

An oven temperature of 325°F is ideal for roasting turkey breast. Higher temps risk drying out the breast. Monitor temperature with a meat thermometer and cook until 165°F.

Can you roast a frozen turkey breast?

It’s best to always thaw turkey breast completely before cooking. Roasting from frozen takes much longer, risks drying out the meat, and prevents seasonings from penetrating fully.

What’s better: bone-in or boneless turkey breast?

Bone-in turkey breast cooks slower from the insulating effect of the bone, keeping meat extra moist. Boneless cooks faster. Choose based on your recipe and preferences. Both can be delicious.

Cooking a 9 lb turkey breast has never been easier! Follow these tips for a juicy, flavorful roasted turkey breast your whole family will love.

how long do you cook a 9 lb turkey breast

Instant Pot® or Electric Pressure Cooker

Unlike a slow cooker, instant pots and electric pressure cookers, cook food quickly. Since these fast cookers lock in steam and cook food quickly, you can use them to make flavorful and moist turkey breasts. An Instant Pot® also has a slow cooker setting for cooking turkey breasts with low heat.

Learn more about how to cook turkey breast in an Instant Pot® or electric pressure cooker here.

Why Should You Make Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

A slow cooker uses low heat to slowly cook turkey, letting the meat marinate and simmer in its own juices. Also, since a slow cooker does not release steam, it locks moisture inside the pot and meat to help deliver juicy turkey breasts.

Slow cooking bone-in turkey breast can take five to six hours, but the results are unbelievable – moist and tender turkey meat packed with flavor. Even better, the hands-off cooking process is so convenient. Just place the turkey breast inside the slow cooker, close the lid, set the cooker, and relax until the timer goes off.