Mastering Kirkwood Oven Roasted Turkey Breast: A Complete Guide

Kirkwood oven roasted turkey breast is a time-saving solution for enjoying juicy, flavorful turkey meat any time of year. With minimal preparation needed, these pre-seasoned turkey breasts are easy to cook in the oven for tender, moist results full of turkey flavor.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share tips for selecting, preparing, seasoning, and roasting Kirkwood turkey breast to perfection. Follow these simple steps and advice for irresistibly delicious oven roasted turkey breast every time.

Benefits of Kirkwood Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

There are several advantages to choosing Kirkwood turkey breast over other options

• Pre-seasoned – Kirkwood breasts come lightly seasoned so no blend of spices is needed.

• Boneless – The boneless breasts are easier to slice and serve than bone-in portions

• Netted packaging – The netting helps the breast hold its shape evenly during cooking.

• Fully cooked – No lengthy roasting is required, just a quick oven reheating.

• Moist and tender – When cooked properly, the meat stays juicy and tender.

• Mild turkey flavor – Kirkwood turkey has a mildly sweet, delicious turkey taste.

• Convenient – The oven roasted breasts allow easy sandwich fixing and turkey meals year-round.

With minimal work required, Kirkwood turkey breast is ideal for quick, flavorful meals any night of the week.

Choosing the Right Breast Size

Kirkwood offers oven roasted boneless turkey breasts in several sizes:

• 1.25 lbs – Feeds 2-3 people
• 2.5 lbs – Feeds 4-6 people
• 5 lbs – Feeds 10-12 people

For tidy slicing and serving, opt for the boneless over bone-in portions. Allow 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 pound per person.

Inspect packaging before buying. Keep frozen until ready to thaw and cook.

Thawing Kirkwood Turkey Breast

Always thaw frozen Kirkwood turkey breast properly in the refrigerator:

• Place breast in a rimmed dish to catch drips as it thaws over 1-2 days.

• Allow about 24 hours of fridge thaw time per pound. A 1.25 lb breast thaws in 1-2 days. A 5 lb breast takes 4-5 days.

• Accelerate thaw by submerging sealed breast in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes.

Never thaw turkey breast at room temperature, as bacteria can multiply quickly. Cook from frozen in a pinch.

Seasoning for Extra Flavor

While Kirkwood turkey breast comes pre-seasoned, adding more seasoning amplifies the flavor.

Before cooking, rinse breast and pat dry. Rub all over with:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil or melted butter – keeps meat moist
• 1 tsp salt
• 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
• 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄2 tsp onion powder
• 1⁄2 tsp dried thyme or sage

Customize the seasoning blend to your taste. Try smoked paprika, cayenne, rosemary, chili powder, cumin, oregano, or lemon pepper.

Oven Roasting for Perfect Results

Roasting is a simple, no-fuss way to cook Kirkwood turkey breast:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a pan with foil and lightly grease.

• Place seasoned breast in pan skin-side up. Loosely tent with foil.

• Roast 25-30 minutes per pound until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Check with a meat thermometer inserted in thickest part.

• For a 1.25 lb breast, roast 35-40 minutes. A 2.5 lb breast takes 60-75 minutes. A 5 lb breast roasts for about 2 hours.

• Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to absorb.

Roasting Tips for Ideal Texture

Follow these useful tips for roasting juicy, tender turkey breast:

• Place breast on a rack in the pan so air circulates underneath.

• Start breast-side down, then flip halfway during roasting. Keeps breast meat extra moist.

• Add 1⁄2 cup water or broth to the pan to prevent drying out. Baste with pan juices.

• If browning too quickly, lightly tent foil over breast, leaving sides open for airflow.

• Always let roasted breast rest 10-15 minutes before slicing so juices redistribute.

Carving Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

Use these steps to neatly carve roasted Kirkwood turkey breast:

• Place breast skin-side down on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife.

• Cut thin slices horizontally against the grain of the meat for tenderness.

• Fan out slices on a platter. Spoon any pan juices over the top.

• Serve turkey slices warm on their own, in sandwiches, over salads, or chopped in recipes.

Storing Leftover Turkey Breast

Refrigerate leftover sliced Kirkwood turkey breast:

• Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.

• Use for sandwiches, wraps, meals, and snacks throughout the week.

• Slice breast makes easy sandwich fixings, salad toppers, casserole additions, and more.

With minimal hands-on time, Kirkwood’s pre-seasoned oven roasted turkey breast offers a quick path to incredibly moist, flavorful meat. Follow these tips and techniques for sensational results every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should you cook a 2.5 lb Kirkwood turkey breast?

Cook a 2.5 lb Kirkwood turkey breast for approximately 60-75 minutes in a 350°F oven until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Can you cook a frozen Kirkwood turkey breast?

Yes, you can cook a frozen Kirkwood turkey breast straight from frozen. Add about 10-15 extra minutes to the cook time and check temperature.

What’s the best way to thaw a Kirkwood turkey breast?

For food safety, thaw frozen Kirkwood turkey breasts by refrigerating 1-2 days or submerging sealed breast in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes.

How long does cooked turkey breast last in the fridge?

Cooked Kirkwood oven roasted turkey breast lasts 3-4 days refrigerated. Store leftovers in a sealed container and use for sandwiches, salads, wraps, and more.

What are good ways to use up leftover turkey breast?

Leftover sliced turkey breast is delicious in sandwiches, wraps, tacos, casseroles, soups and salads. Dice for omelets, pasta dishes, pizza, chili, and stir fries too.

With minimal effort, Kirkwood’s seasoned oven roasted turkey breasts offer easy paths to incredibly moist, flavorful meat for fast meals or leftovers.