This Simple Herb Roasted Turkey Breast is a wonderfully flavorful and surprisingly easy way to bring a beautiful centerpiece to your table. Infused with aromatic herbs and savory garlic, the tender meat and crispy skin make every bite a delight. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion when you want something delicious without a lot of fuss.
This herb roasted turkey breast is golden brown, incredibly juicy, and bursting with fresh herb flavor.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Savory, herbaceous, garlicky, with a hint of paprika.
- Texture: Tender, juicy meat with delightfully crisp skin.
- Total Active Time: Approximately 15 minutes.
- Cook Time: 75-90 minutes.
- Rest Time: 15 minutes.
- Difficulty: Easy.
What You’ll Need
To create this delightful dish, you’ll need a beautiful bone-in turkey breast, softened butter, fresh aromatic herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage, along with garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper for seasoning. A good quality chicken broth adds moisture and flavor to the pan.
Ingredient Notes
- Turkey Breast – Opt for a 6-7 pound bone-in, skin-on turkey breast for the best flavor and juiciness. The bone helps to keep the meat moist during cooking.
- Unsalted Butter – Softened butter is key for creating a luscious paste that adheres beautifully to the turkey and helps the skin crisp up.
- Fresh Herbs – Rosemary, thyme, and sage offer a classic poultry seasoning blend that is both fragrant and delicious.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic adds a pungent depth that complements the herbs wonderfully.
- Chicken Broth – A cup of chicken broth at the bottom of the pan creates a moist environment in the oven and provides a base for delicious pan juices.
Add-ins and Substitutions
While this recipe is perfection as is, you might consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter mixture for a touch of heat, or a squeeze of lemon juice to the pan for brightness.
How to Make Simple Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
Get ready for a remarkably simple yet impressive dish! This method ensures a juicy turkey breast with incredibly flavorful skin.
- Preheat and Prep: Begin by setting your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Prepare a roasting pan by lining it with foil or placing a rack inside.
- Dry the Turkey: Thoroughly pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. This is an important step for achieving crispy skin.
- Mix the Herb Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated and forms a smooth, fragrant paste.
- Butter the Turkey: Gently lift the skin from the turkey breast, being careful not to tear it. Spread about half of the herb butter underneath the skin, directly onto the meat. Then, use the remaining herb butter to coat the outside of the skin evenly.
- Add Broth: Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of your prepared roasting pan.
- Roast to Perfection: Place the buttered turkey breast in the roasting pan over the broth. Roast for 75 to 90 minutes. Baste the turkey with the pan juices a few times during cooking to keep it moist and encourage browning. The turkey is ready when the thickest part of the breast reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
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Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the turkey breast from the oven. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This resting period is crucial for allowing the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender outcome.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the step of drying the turkey breast thoroughly. It’s one of the simplest things you can do to guarantee wonderfully crisp skin.
Recipe Tips
- Crispy Skin Secret: Patting the turkey breast completely dry before applying the herb butter is essential for achieving that coveted crispy skin.
- Butter Under the Skin: Getting some of that herb butter under the skin not only adds flavor directly to the meat but also helps to keep it incredibly moist.
- Basting is Your Friend: While not overly long, basting a few times during the roasting process helps to keep the surface of the turkey moist and promotes even browning.
- Internal Temperature is Key: Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The breast should reach 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) in the thickest part.
- Resting is Non-Negotiable: Allowing the turkey to rest for 15 minutes after cooking is vital. It allows the juices to settle back into the meat, making it far more tender and flavorful.
FAQs
- Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Yes, you can, but you’ll need to adjust the quantity. Use about 1 teaspoon each of dried rosemary, thyme, and sage, as dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor. - What if my turkey breast is a different size?
Cooking times will vary. For smaller breasts, start checking the temperature around the 60-minute mark. For larger ones, you may need an extra 10-15 minutes. Always rely on your meat thermometer for accuracy. - How do I know if my turkey breast is cooked through?
The most reliable way is to insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone. It should register 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). The juices should also run clear when pierced.
Serving Suggestions
This Simple Herb Roasted Turkey Breast is wonderfully versatile. Serve it sliced over a bed of fluffy rice or mashed potatoes to soak up any delicious pan juices. It pairs beautifully with roasted root vegetables, a fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette, or steamed green beans. A dollop of cranberry sauce or a side of gravy elevates it even further for a more festive meal.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prepare the herb butter mixture a day ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just remember to let it soften slightly at room temperature before spreading it on the turkey. The roasted turkey breast itself is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and are delicious in sandwiches or salads.
Print
Simple Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes - 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
This Simple Herb Roasted Turkey Breast recipe delivers a juicy, tender turkey with crispy, golden-brown skin infused with aromatic herbs and rich butter. An easy and impressive centerpiece for any meal.
Ingredients
1 bone-in skin-on turkey breast (6–7 lbs)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
Set your oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a roasting pan with foil or a rack.
Thoroughly dry the turkey breast with paper towels.
Combine the softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth.
Carefully lift the skin from the turkey breast and spread half of the herb butter underneath, then coat the outside skin with the remaining butter.
Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of your roasting pan.
Roast for 75-90 minutes, basting as needed, until the thickest part of the turkey reaches 165F (74C).
Tent loosely with foil and allow it to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Ensure your butter is fully softened before mixing the herb rub. This will make it much easier to combine with the herbs and garlic, creating a smooth paste for easy spreading.
When lifting the turkey skin to spread the herb butter underneath, be patient and gentle. You want to keep the skin as intact as possible to create a delicious barrier for the meat and achieve that perfect crispy texture.
Rely on a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Inserting it into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone, will give you the most accurate reading. Aim for that 165F (74C) for a perfectly cooked and safe turkey.
While it might be tempting to carve into the turkey immediately, allowing it to rest for 15 minutes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 75-90 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Protein: N/A
