Why Make This Recipe
Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast is a fantastic dish that brings festive flavors to your table. The blend of fresh herbs and savory butter makes this turkey breast both juicy and flavorful. It’s perfect for special occasions like Thanksgiving or family gatherings, but it’s so easy to make that you can enjoy it any time of year.
How to Make Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast
Ingredients:
- Turkey Breast (Bone-in or Boneless, about 3-5 pounds): The star of the show! Choose a bone-in breast for slightly more flavor and moisture, or boneless for easier carving. Aim for a size that comfortably feeds your household or guest count, ensuring you have enough for everyone to enjoy.
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup, softened): The key to juicy turkey and crispy skin. Softened butter is essential for creating a smooth and spreadable herb butter that evenly coats the turkey breast, locking in moisture and flavor.
- Fresh Rosemary (2 tablespoons, chopped): Adds a piney, aromatic, and slightly woodsy flavor that pairs perfectly with turkey. Fresh rosemary is crucial for that vibrant, herbaceous note.
- Fresh Thyme (2 tablespoons, chopped): Provides an earthy, slightly lemony, and subtly minty flavor that complements the rosemary and enhances the overall herb profile. Fresh thyme brings a delicate complexity to the butter.
- Fresh Sage (1 tablespoon, chopped): Offers a slightly peppery and earthy flavor with hints of mint and lemon, adding depth and a classic Thanksgiving aroma to the herb butter. Sage is a must-have for that traditional holiday flavor.
- Fresh Parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped): Brings a fresh, clean, and slightly peppery flavor that brightens the herb butter and adds a touch of vibrant green color. Parsley balances the richer herbs and adds freshness.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Adds a pungent and savory depth that enhances all the other flavors and creates a delicious aromatic base for the herb butter. Minced garlic infuses the butter with its characteristic savory punch.
- Lemon Zest (1 teaspoon): Provides a bright, citrusy aroma and flavor that cuts through the richness of the butter and adds a refreshing zing to the turkey. Lemon zest elevates the overall flavor profile and prevents it from being too heavy.
- Salt (1 ½ teaspoons): Essential for seasoning the turkey and herb butter, enhancing all the flavors and ensuring a well-balanced dish. Salt is crucial for bringing out the best in all the ingredients.
- Black Pepper (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle spicy kick and enhances the savory notes of the herbs and turkey. Freshly ground black pepper is recommended for the best flavor.
- Olive Oil (1 tablespoon): Used to lightly coat the turkey breast before applying the herb butter, helping the butter adhere and promoting even browning. Olive oil also adds a touch of healthy fat and flavor.
Directions:
Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Turkey Breast: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature is ideal for roasting turkey breast, ensuring it cooks through evenly while developing a beautiful golden-brown skin. While the oven is preheating, take your turkey breast out of the refrigerator and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. This crucial step removes excess moisture from the skin, which is key to achieving crispy, golden-brown skin during roasting. Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan. If you have a roasting rack, placing the turkey on a rack within the pan will allow for better air circulation and even cooking, but it’s not absolutely necessary.
Prepare the Aromatic Herb Butter: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, chopped fresh rosemary, chopped fresh thyme, chopped fresh sage, chopped fresh parsley, minced garlic, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Use a fork or a spatula to thoroughly mix all the ingredients until they are evenly distributed and the butter is smooth and well-combined. The softened butter makes it easy to incorporate all the herbs and seasonings, creating a fragrant and flavorful herb butter.
Season the Turkey Breast: Lightly drizzle the turkey breast with olive oil. This helps the herb butter adhere to the turkey and promotes even browning. Using your hands, generously spread the herb butter all over the turkey breast, ensuring you coat every surface, including under the skin if possible (gently loosen the skin with your fingers and push some herb butter underneath for extra flavor). Massage the herb butter into the turkey, ensuring even coverage. This herb butter coating is what infuses the turkey with incredible flavor and helps keep it moist during roasting.
Roast the Turkey Breast: Place the roasting pan with the herb-buttered turkey breast in the preheated oven. Roast for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the turkey breast registers 165°F (74°C). The cooking time will vary depending on the size and type of turkey breast (bone-in will take slightly longer than boneless). It’s essential to use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature and is perfectly juicy.
Rest the Turkey Breast: Once the turkey breast reaches 165°F (74°C), remove it from the oven and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let the turkey breast rest for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. Resting is crucial because it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey. During resting, the internal temperature of the turkey will continue to rise slightly.
Carve and Serve: After resting, transfer the turkey breast to a cutting board. If you used a bone-in breast, carve the meat off the bone. For both bone-in and boneless breasts, slice the turkey against the grain for maximum tenderness. Arrange the slices on a serving platter and garnish with fresh herbs, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your perfectly roasted herb butter turkey breast! Don’t forget to scrape up any pan drippings for extra flavor to spoon over the turkey or use as a base for gravy.
How to Serve Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast
This herb butter roasted turkey breast pairs wonderfully with various sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, or cranberry sauce. You can also serve it with salad or bread for a complete meal. The delicious gravy made from pan drippings adds an extra layer of flavor to each bite.
How to Store Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast
Once you have finished your meal, let any leftover turkey cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the turkey for longer storage, wrapping it tightly to prevent freezer burn. Thaw it in the refrigerator when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Tips to Make Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast
- Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness; it ensures the turkey is juicy and safe to eat.
- Let the butter come to room temperature to make it easier to spread.
- Try experimenting with other herbs like oregano or basil for different flavor profiles.
- Save the bones and scraps for making homemade turkey broth!
Variation
If you want a slightly different flavor, consider using different herbs or adding spices like smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a bit of heat. You can also swap the butter for olive oil for a lighter version.
FAQs
1. Can I make this recipe with frozen turkey breast?
Yes, you can! Just be sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before cooking.
2. What is the best way to check for doneness in turkey?
Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast. It should read 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
3. How can I add more flavor to the turkey?
Brining the turkey in a saltwater solution before cooking can add even more flavor and moisture.
4. Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Yes, you can! Just use about a third of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated than fresh ones.
5. Can leftovers be reheated?
Absolutely! You can reheat leftover turkey in the oven, covered with foil, to keep it moist.
Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 whole Turkey Breast (Bone-in or Boneless, about 3-5 pounds) Choose a bone-in breast for more flavor or boneless for easier carving.
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter, softened Essential for juicy turkey and crispy skin.
Aromatics and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Rosemary, chopped Brings a piney and aromatic flavor.
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Thyme, chopped Adds an earthy and slightly lemony flavor.
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Sage, chopped Provides a slightly peppery and earthy flavor.
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped Brings freshness and balances richer herbs.
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced Enhances the flavors with its savory depth.
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest Adds a bright and citrusy flavor.
- 1 ½ teaspoons Salt Essential for seasoning.
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper Enhances the savory notes.
For Coating
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil Helps the herb butter adhere and promotes even browning.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels and place it in a roasting pan.
Making Herb Butter
- In a bowl, mix softened butter, rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Seasoning and Roasting
- Drizzle olive oil over the turkey and coat with herb butter.
- Roast in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 15 to 1 hour and 45 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Resting and Serving
- Remove from the oven, tent with foil, and rest for 15-20 minutes.
- Carve and serve garnished with fresh herbs, if desired.
