Quick, easy and delicious! I promise these easy turkey cutlets will become a regular on your menu. A few herbs and spices, and a simple white wine sauce make these lip-smacking good.
Turkey cutlets are perfect for quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes. They cook in a matter of minutes and can be dressed up with almost any herb or spice in your spice rack. On top of that, turkey cutlets are low in saturated fat, making them a great option for a healthy entrée.
Add a simple white wine sauce to the mix for a meal that is worthy of serving to company. Double the sauce ingredients to drizzle over my favorite brown rice side dish or this amazing spaghetti squash recipe.
Unlike most breaded turkey recipes, this recipe is Parmesan cheese- and breadcrumb-free, making it both dairy free and gluten free.
Sliced turkey breast is a versatile and healthy meat that can be prepared in endless delicious ways. With the right techniques, you can make tender, juicy turkey breast for sandwiches, salads, casseroles, and more. Follow this complete guide for foolproof turkey breast every time.
Selecting and Preparing Turkey Breast
When purchasing turkey breast, choose a breast half with the skin on and bones intact. The bones help keep the meat moist during cooking while the skin prevents it from drying out. Look for a breast that is evenly thick throughout with minimal fat or cartilage.
Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry completely with paper towels. This helps remove any bacteria on the surface.
To prepare the breast for cooking, use a sharp knife to carefully remove the skin and trim off any excess fat or cartilage. Then, slice the breast across the grain into even cutlets about 1⁄2 inch thick. Slicing against the grain makes the cooked turkey more tender.
Seasoning for Maximum Flavor
Proper seasoning is key for juicy, flavorful turkey breast. Consider these easy seasoning options
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Rub the slices all over with olive oil and generously season both sides with salt, pepper, dried herbs like thyme or rosemary, and spices like garlic powder
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Make a wet rub by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, chopped fresh herbs, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Coat the turkey thoroughly in the mixture.
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For a flavor boost, marinate the slices for 30 minutes to overnight in a zip-top bag with a marinade of olive oil, vinegar, fresh herbs, garlic, mustard, and seasoning.
Cooking Methods
There are several excellent cooking methods to achieve delicious turkey breast:
Pan-Sear: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the turkey 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned. Baste with butter or olive oil for moisture and flavor.
Bake: Arrange seasoned slices on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until no longer pink inside. Baste with pan juices during baking.
Grill: Oil grill grates and grill turkey over direct medium heat 2-3 minutes per side. Move to indirect heat, close lid, and grill 5-7 minutes more until 165°F internal temperature.
Air Fry: Spray turkey slices with oil and air fry at 380°F for 9-12 minutes, flipping once, until browned and cooked through. Baste with oil or glaze during cooking.
Slow Cooker: Place seasoned turkey and broth, onions, herbs in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours until extremely tender. Shred for casseroles, sandwiches, salads.
Checking Doneness
Always use an instant-read thermometer to check temperature, regardless of cooking method. Turkey breast should reach 165°F internally to ensure it is safe to eat.
Once cooked, let the turkey rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. Then slice across the grain into thin cutlets.
Serving and Storage
Cooked turkey breast can be used in endless recipes. Here are some tasty ways to use it:
- On sandwiches layered with cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado
- In main dish salads with greens, vegetables, nuts, dressing
- Rolled in wraps with hummus, bell peppers, spinach
- Added to soups, pastas, casseroles, stir fries
- Topped on nachos, baked potatoes, flatbreads, pizza
- Snack on slices alone or with crackers and cheese
Refrigerate cooked turkey breast up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze slices in airtight bags for 2-3 months.
With the proper prep, seasoning, and cooking method, you can enjoy incredibly moist, flavorful turkey breast any night of the week. Feel free to get creative with herbs, sauces, and serving suggestions for delicious variety.
What you need for this turkey cutlets recipe:
These are the main components of this recipe (affiliate links included):
- Turkey cutlets: Turkey cutlets can be found in most supermarkets, typically sold as a package of 5 or 6 cutlets.
- Herbs & spices: Dried crushed rosemary, dried sage, paprika, kosher salt and ground pepper are all you need.
- Extra virgin olive oil: A drizzle of olive oil binds together the herbs and spices for the rub, plus helps with browning the turkey. A little more is needed for cooking the garlic.
- White wine: I suggest using a dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris.
- Broth: Chicken broth if you have it. Vegetable broth works in a pinch.
Can I use chicken breasts instead?
Yes! This recipe is equally delicious with chicken. You have a few options here.
- Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make two cutlets per breast. Or…
- Place the chicken breast on a cutting board, between two large pieces of plastic wrap. With a meat mallet (smooth side) or heavy (cast iron) skillet, pound the chicken breasts until thin. Or…
- Cook the chicken breasts “as is”. If you choose this method, turn down the heat to medium so that the surface of the chicken doesn’t char before the chicken is cooked through. The chicken will take longer to cook with this method.
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
How do I cook store-bought turkey slices?
- Rinse and pat dry fresh or thawed turkey slices.
- Season the cutlets with salt and pepper. …
- Heat a skillet over medium heat with 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil or a spray of nonstick cooking spray.
- Cook the cutlets for 3 to 5 minutes per side or until they’re golden brown and no longer pink in the center.
How do you keep sliced turkey moist in the oven?
While cooking use a piece of aluminum foil (folded as a tent) placed over top. This stops direct heat from drying out the meat. You also need to baste the turkey during cooking to brown off the skin and keep moisture on it. Using that same mix of oil/butter.
What’s the best way to heat up sliced turkey?
Simply heat your oven to 300 degrees, put the carved meat in a baking dish, and add some chicken broth or turkey stock to the pan. The meat will absorb some of the liquid as it heats, making it nice and juicy. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the oven until the meat is hot, 20 to 30 minutes.
How do you cook a fried turkey breast?
Mix butter, garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic and herb seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Place turkey breast skin-side up into a roasting pan. Use your fingers to loosen the skin. Brush half the butter mixture over the turkey breast and under the skin (this is key to a super crispy skin). Reserve the remainder of the mixture.
How do you cook a Sliced turkey breast?
There are several easy cooking methods that work well for preparing sliced turkey breast: Pan-Sear: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the turkey slices for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Baste the slices with butter or olive oil as they cook for added moisture and flavor.
How to cook a turkey breast in the oven?
Coat turkey with olive oil and rub it in the spice mixture. Place the turkey breast in the baking pan, on top of 3 or 4 aluminum foil balls. Cook it at 350 degrees for 90 minutes, until its internal temperature is 165-170 degrees. Remove the turkey from the oven and cover it with foil. Finally, allow it to rest for 20-30 minutes before slicing it.
How to cook turkey breast cutlets in oven?
Recipe for Sliced Turkey Breast Coat turkey with olive oil and rub it in the spice mixture. Place the turkey breast in the baking pan, on top of 3 or 4 aluminum foil balls. Cook it at 350 degrees for 90 minutes, until its internal temperature is 165-170 degrees. How do you cook turkey breast cutlets in the oven? Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Are sliced turkey breast cutlets good?
Sliced turkey breast cutlets make for a quick easy, and delicious dinner option. They cook faster than whole turkey breasts and they absorb flavors easily when seasoned or marinated. Best of all, cooking cutlets in the oven results in juicy, tender meat every time.
How do I choose the right turkey breast slices?
First, it’s important to choose the right turkey breast slices. Look for slices that are evenly cut and not too thin. Thicker slices will retain moisture and flavor better during the cooking process. Once you have your slices, you can begin the cooking process. Before you start cooking, it’s essential to properly prepare the turkey breast slices.