How to Cook a Frozen Butterball Turkey Breast

Butterball turkey breasts make for a delicious, festive meal any time of year. Their boneless turkey breast roasts come neatly packaged and ready to pop right into the oven from frozen. With no thawing required, cooking a frozen Butterball turkey breast couldn’t be easier.

Follow the simple instructions below for tender, juicy turkey breast every time

Benefits of Cooking Frozen

Cooking a turkey breast straight from the freezer offers several advantages:

• No thawing – Skip the days-long thawing process. Butterball breasts can go right into the oven frozen.

• Easy prep – With no thawing, there’s minimal prep needed. Just remove packaging and season if desired

• Convenience – Have an impromptu family dinner with a turkey breast on hand in the freezer at all times.

• Juicy meat – Cooking from frozen helps lock in moisture for a tender, juicy interior.

• Food safety – Avoid bacteria growth risks from thawing at room temperature. Frozen locking seals in freshness.

So cooking frozen makes Butterball turkey breasts an incredibly convenient, delicious option for effortless meals.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these simple steps for perfect oven-roasted turkey breast from frozen:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan

• Preheat your oven to 325°F.

• Place a shallow roasting pan or baking dish on the middle oven rack while preheating.

• For easiest cleanup, line the pan with foil or a baking mat.

2. Remove Packaging

• Retrieve the frozen turkey breast from the freezer. Leave wrapped until ready to cook.

• Run the exterior of the packaging under warm tap water for 1 minute before opening. This makes the plastic coating easier to remove.

• Unwrap the turkey breast completely and discard packaging.

3. Season the Turkey Breast (Optional)

• For added flavor, you can season the outside of the breast with:

  • Olive oil or vegetable oil

  • Salt and pepper

  • Herbs like rosemary, thyme or sage

  • Spice rubs

• Pat seasonings evenly onto the surface.

4. Place Breast in Hot Pan Breast-Side Up

• Place the breast in the preheated roasting pan, breast side up.

• For even cooking, use a rack if available. The rack elevates the breast over the pan surface.

5. Roast Until 165°F Internal Temperature

• Roast for approximately 3 to 3 1/2 hours, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 165°F.

• Basting is not necessary.

• If desired, tent foil over the breast halfway through cooking to prevent over-browning.

6. Let Rest and Carve

• When the breast reaches 165°F, remove it from the oven.

• Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to re-absorb.

• Carve into slices and serve warm. Enjoy!

Cooking Times and Temperatures

Cooking times will vary based on the size of your frozen turkey breast:

• 2 – 3 lb breast – Cook approximately 3 hours

• 4 – 6 lb breast – Cook approximately 3 1/2 hours

• 7 – 9 lb breast – Cook up to 4 hours

Always cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F throughout the thickest section. Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness.

For food safety, cooked turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F as measured in the thigh or breast.

Roasting Pan Options

You can use various pans for roasting frozen turkey breasts with delicious results:

• Baking sheet – Line with foil for easy cleanup. Provides direct bottom heat.

• Roasting pan – Classic choice, may come with a rack to elevate the breast.

• Dutch oven or braiser – Creates a moist environment. Can transition to stovetop.

• Enameled cast iron – Heats evenly, retains heat well. Easy cleanup.

• Disposable foil pan – For no-fuss cooking and cleanup. Sturdy enough to hold a breast.

Any oven-safe pan will work. Focus on food safety and an accurate cooking temperature.

Defrosting and Food Safety

Butterball breasts are safe to cook directly from frozen. But if you need to defrost, follow these guidelines:

• Defrost in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking. Never thaw at room temperature.

• Place breast in a shallow pan to catch drips as it defrosts.

• Cook within 2 days of refrigerator thawing for food safety.

• Do not refreeze turkey once thawed. Cook within 48 hours.

Always cook turkey thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat fully when enjoying leftovers.

Delicious and Simple

Butterball makes cooking turkey breast from frozen incredibly easy and reliable. Just pop it straight into the oven, roast until 165°F internal temperature, and you’ll have a delicious meal ready with minimal effort. Follow these instructions for moist, tender turkey breast any night of the week.