The perfect seasoning blend is all you need to for an oven roasted dry rubbed turkey breast that’s worthy of Thanksgiving dinner or any meal.
From sides to dessert and everything in between, Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday meal. In my family everyone contributes a little something, so essentially it’s the ultimate potluck.
The past few years we have skipped the entire turkey and roasted just the breast instead. What we’ve found is that most people at our table prefer this part of the bird. Then preparing the turkey isn’t such a production.
When you’re cooking an elaborate family meal, oven time is very valuable. By just doing a turkey breast, it frees up the oven for stuffing, pie and more.
Also, there’s less risk of drying out the white meat when you are only roasting a turkey breast instead of the whole thing with dark meat too.
And don’t limit this oven roasted turkey breast to Thanksgiving. Because it’s a recipe that creates leftovers, you can cook a turkey on Sunday and repurpose it throughout a week of meals.
Turkey breast is a lean, tasty choice of poultry that can be seasoned in endless ways. With its mild flavor, turkey breast is the perfect canvas for layering spices and creating delicious dishes. But with so many spice options available, it can be tricky to know where to start. Here are 12 amazing spice combinations to try on turkey breast.
1. Lemon and Herb
This classic combination brightens up mild turkey breast beautifully. Try rubbing the turkey with a mixture of dried oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and olive oil. The lemon and herbs complement each other perfectly. Roast the turkey breast until golden brown and juicy.
2. Moroccan Spices
Give your turkey breast a taste of the Moroccan souks by blending ras el hanout, cumin, cinnamon, paprika, coriander, salt and pepper. Ras el hanout is a complex Moroccan spice blend that often contains over 12 ingredients! Massage the spice mix into the turkey and roast until done.
3. Indian Spices
For an Indian-inspired turkey breast make a paste from garam masala turmeric, grated ginger, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. Garam masala is another blend of many spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cloves. Rub the paste all over the turkey and roast.
4. Jamaican Jerk
Transport your tastebuds to the Caribbean with the classic flavors of Jamaican jerk seasoning. Mix allspice, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, salt and black pepper to make the jerk rub You can even add some sliced scotch bonnet peppers for extra heat. Rub it into the turkey and grill or roast
5. Mexican Spices
Give your turkey breast a tasty Tex-Mex makeover by coating it in a mixture of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, smoked paprika and salt. The ancho chili powder adds a mild heat while the cumin and paprika provide a rich, earthy taste. Roast the turkey until cooked through and juicy.
6. Italian Herbs
For fantastic Italian-seasoned turkey, combine rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, fennel seeds, salt and pepper. Punch up the flavor even more by adding some balsamic vinegar and olive oil to make a wet rub. Massage into the turkey breast and roast to perfection.
7. Greek Yogurt and Spices
Coat the turkey breast in a mixture of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, dried oregano, mint, cumin and salt. The tangy yogurt helps the spices adhere to the meat. Roast the turkey until the yogurt coating is bubbling and golden brown.
8. Sesame and Ginger
For an Asian twist, blend toasted sesame oil, minced ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic and red pepper flakes. Brush the mixture over the turkey breast and roast. For extra flavor, try inserting slivers of ginger under the turkey skin before roasting.
9. Cajun Spices
Bring some New Orleans flavor to your kitchen by seasoning turkey breast with a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, oregano and black pepper. You can also try adding some brown sugar or maple syrup to balance out the heat. Rub the spices into the turkey and roast or grill.
10. Balsamic and Herbs
For simple but delicious turkey breast, make a balsamic glaze by simmering balsamic vinegar with maple syrup and rosemary. Brush the glaze over the turkey multiple times while roasting. The sweet, tangy glaze pairs perfectly with the turkey.
11. Chili Lime
Mix up chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, lime zest, lime juice and salt to make a zesty dry rub for turkey breast. The lime adds brightness while the chili powder provides a touch of smoky heat. Roast the seasoned turkey breast to caramelize the lime and chili flavors.
12. Apple and Sage
For a lovely autumnal flavor, coat the turkey breast in a blend of chopped fresh sage, grated apple, lemon zest, olive oil, salt and pepper. The apple and sage add comforting sweet and earthy notes that complement the turkey wonderfully.
With so many diverse spice combinations to try, you’ll never get bored of cooking turkey breast! From Moroccan ras el hanout to zesty Jamaican jerk, herbs like rosemary and oregano to spices like garam masala and chili powder, the possibilities for seasoning turkey breast are endless.
Oven Temperature for Roast Turkey Breast
For a turkey breast, I start the oven at 450 degrees F. After 30 minutes, I turn down the heat to 375 degrees F.
That first half hour cooking at a higher heat helps the skin brown. Then lowering the temperature slows the roasting down just enough, so the breast doesn’t dry out.
How To Make A Dry Rubbed Turkey Breast
- Make the spice mix. In a small bowl, stir together the rosemary, thyme, oregano, paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
- Place the turkey breast on a rack inside a roasting pan skin side up.
- Rub the turkey with the spice mixture including carefully under the skin. Let the breast sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- When the oven is hot, roast the turkey for 30 minutes.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
- Continue roasting for 1-1/2 – 2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast should be 165 degrees F when the turkey is ready.
- Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes.
- Carve the turkey breast.
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
How to get flavor into turkey breast?
A simple mixture of broth, butter, lemon, garlic, pepper, and salt delivers moisture and flavor to the white meat and enhances the texture and taste of the …Feb 9, 2024
Which spice goes well with turkey?
Dried Herbs — dried thyme, rosemary, and sage add an herbal depth of flavor commonly found in poultry seasoning blends.Oct 24, 2024
What can I put on my turkey to give it flavor?
Stick with salt and pepper, put herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to work, or take spicy Cajun seasoning for a spin for some kick.Aug 1, 2024
Should turkey breast be covered or uncovered when roasting?
Covering the breast with a double layer of aluminum foil during the hotter first stage of roasting protects the lean meat from overcooking and the skin from …Nov 24, 2024
Should you put spices on turkey breast before cooking?
Rubbing spices onto your raw turkey breast before cooking serves a few important purposes. First, seasoning provides essential flavor. Turkey breast meat is quite mild on its own, so spices are key for making it more exciting to eat. Second, the seasoning helps form a flavorful, crispy crust on the outside of the cooked meat.
What spices go well with turkey breast?
Go for classic holiday flavors: Ingredients like sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley, garlic and onion are perfect for pairing with turkey. This combo just screams Thanksgiving! Consider some heat: Spices like cayenne, red pepper flakes or paprika will provide a subtle kick. But go easy since turkey breast meat is delicate.
Why is seasoning important for turkey breast?
First, seasoning provides essential flavor. Turkey breast meat is quite mild on its own, so spices are key for making it more exciting to eat. Second, the seasoning helps form a flavorful, crispy crust on the outside of the cooked meat. Finally, massaging spices into the turkey breast will tenderize it and keep it nice and juicy as it cooks.
How do I make my own turkey breast seasoning?
When compiling your own signature turkey breast seasoning, there are a few guiding principles to keep in mind: Go for classic holiday flavors: Ingredients like sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley, garlic and onion are perfect for pairing with turkey. This combo just screams Thanksgiving!
What seasoning is used in braised turkey breast?
This Soy-Glazed Braised Turkey Breast uses five-spice that is homemade – so a blend of Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon, cumin seeds, curry powder, and star anise. You can also use five-spice seasoning if you have the preblended ones. The turkey breast is simply seared and then braised in the oven.
What spices go well with Turkey seasoning?
Garlic Powder: Everything tastes better with the flavor of garlic. Onion Powder: Onion powder is a perfect spice in this seasoning. Making this turkey seasoning is the easiest part of your Thanksgiving dinner! It only takes 5 minutes to put it together, and you will love how fast it is.