Description
This Roasted Turkey Breast with Garlic Herb Butter is a flavorful and juicy main dish perfect for family dinners or holiday celebrations. The turkey breast is generously coated with a homemade garlic herb butter made from fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, and a hint of lemon zest, then roasted to perfection for tender meat and crispy skin.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey
- 1 bone-in turkey breast (4–6 pounds)
Garlic Herb Butter
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Zest of one lemon (optional, for a citrusy kick)
Instructions
- Thaw the Turkey: If using a frozen turkey breast, thaw it in the refrigerator. Allow approximately 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds to fully thaw.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for roasting the turkey.
- Prepare Garlic Herb Butter: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, pepper, and lemon zest if using. Mix until well blended.
- Dry the Turkey: Remove the turkey breast from its packaging and pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
- Loosen Skin: Carefully slide your fingers under the skin of the turkey breast, gently loosening it without tearing.
- Apply Butter Under Skin: Take about two-thirds of the garlic herb butter mixture and spread it evenly under the loosened skin, coating the meat directly.
- Apply Butter Outside: Rub the remaining garlic herb butter all over the outside surface of the turkey breast to enhance flavor and crispiness.
- Tie Turkey (Optional): For even cooking, tie the turkey breast with kitchen twine to keep shape and promote uniform heat distribution.
- Place in Roasting Pan: Put the turkey breast skin side up in a roasting pan suitable for oven use.
- Roast the Turkey: Roast in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes per pound until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) as measured with a meat thermometer.
- Baste During Cooking: Every 30 minutes, baste the turkey breast with its own juices to keep it moist and help develop crispy skin.
- Rest the Turkey: Once cooked, remove the turkey breast from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Carve and Serve: Slice the turkey breast thinly against the grain and serve warm with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Be careful when loosening the skin to avoid tearing it, as the butter needs to be evenly applied underneath.
- Using a meat thermometer ensures the turkey is safely cooked to 165°F without being overdone.
- Lemon zest adds a nice brightness but is optional based on your flavor preference.
- Tying the turkey breast helps it cook evenly but can be skipped if you prefer.
- Resting the turkey after roasting is essential for juicy slices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
