Roasted Turkey Breast

Roasted turkey is a must for Thanksgiving. Tender, juicy turkey is surrounded by crispy, savory skin, and with roasting, there's no fussy basting. A simple sprice rub or dry brine will do Indeed, roasted turkey breast is among the easiest dishes you can make.

But if a roasted turkey is simple, a roasted turkey breast is even easier. While whole turkeys may be a challenge to find beyond the holiday season, turkey breast is readily available at supermarkets year-round. 

Oven-roasted turkey breast is also a good option for smaller Thanksgiving dinners and for lovers of white meat. A popular sandwich meat, roasted turkey breast is available at the deli counter, but why not make it at home?

Here, learn how to make a roasted turkey breast. Plus, get information on buying and preparing one for your meal.

Roasted Turkey Breast Ingredients 

For a roasted turkey breast, you will need:

• A bone-in, skin-on turkey breast: About 6 to 7 pounds. We prefer a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast because it retains moisture better and has greater flavor. But if you like, opt for a smaller boneless turkey breast. You'll need to cut the roasting time—start checking doneness after 45 minutes.
• Unsalted butter: This helps the spice mixture adhere to the turkey, and it adds moisture to the meat as it melts.
• Salt: To season the turkey.
• Light brown sugar: A bit of sweetness is the perfect option for a turkey rub. It balances all the flavors.
• Dijon mustard: Mustard adds tang and brightness to the spice rub.
• Garlic cloves: Don't be alarmed at the amount of garlic. Garlic sweetens as it is roasted for a better, less pungent flavor.
• Lemon zest: Adds hints of citrus and floral notes.
• Fresh thyme: Thyme contributes a bit of pepper bite and floral notes.
• Sage: A classic turkey flavoring.
• Rosemary: The hint of woody flavor is welcomed in this holiday feast.
• Black pepper: For final seasoning.

How To Roast Turkey Breast

Roasting a turkey breast is fairly easy. Here's a brief outline of the process. A step-by-step guide is further below:

• Step 1. Begin by creating a mixture of butter, salt, sugar, mustard, garlic, lemon zest, thyme, sage, rosemary, and pepper.
• Step 2. Then, push the seasoned butter mixture between the skin and breast meat and on top of the skin.
• Step 3. Let the turkey breast stand at room temperature for an hour before roasting. This helps to ensure a more evenly cooked bird. You can also let the turkey rest in the fridge overnight, but at a minimum, you should let the turkey sit for a full hour before you roast it.
• Step 4. Preheat the oven to 450°F. After the hour of resting, move the turkey to the preheated oven, and lower the temp to 350°F. Roast for about 1 hour 15 minutes (maybe a bit more depending on the size of the turkey breast).

Boneless vs. Bone-in Turkey Breast

Besides the obvious—one still has a bone and one doesn't—there are a few key differences to consider. First, a bone-in turkey breast is often bigger than a boneless one, around 6 pounds each. However, a boneless can be as small as 3 pounds.

A bone-in breast is usually two breasts joined at the bone, but a boneless breast is usually only one breast, or one half of the turkey's chest meat.

A boneless turkey breast cooks faster, too. If you're using this recipe for your boneless roasted turkey breast, you'll need to reduce the total cooking time. Start checking the breast's internal temp after 45 minutes to be sure you don't overcook.

How Long Does It Take To Roast a Turkey Breast?

The average turkey breast needs to roast about 15 to 20 minutes per pound to reach the desired point of doneness, or 165°F (74°C). A lower oven temperature will take longer.

At 350°F, factor in needing 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. But trust a thermometer, not a clock.

What To Serve With Roasted Turkey Breast

A turkey dinner isn't complete without mashed potatoes, sweet potato soufflé, giblet gravy, and cranberry sauce.

Turkey is often the main dish at Thanksgiving, accompanied by all the traditional sides, but it’s also great to add to sandwiches or salads or to use in tacos or soups.

How To Store Leftover Turkey Breast

Put any leftover turkey meat in an airtight container, and store up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or oven until warmed through, or enjoy cold.

Roasted turkey breast meat is so good, you shouldn't be surprised when every ounce of it disappears. But if you roasted the turkey for the leftovers, or if you happened to have some after your meal, you can use it in a classic Thanksgiving sandwich, turkey soup, or a turkey pasta bake.

Editorial contributions by Amy Sherman.