Description
A flavorful and tender herb and garlic roasted turkey breast recipe perfect for smaller gatherings or holiday meals. The turkey breast is generously coated with a butter, garlic, and fresh herb mixture, then oven-roasted to juicy perfection with a crispy skin finish.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Turkey
- 1 3-4 lb half turkey breast
Herb Butter Mixture
- 4 tbsp room temperature butter
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cracked black pepper
Others
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a sheet or roasting pan lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup and cooking.
- Prepare Herb Butter: Chop fresh thyme, rosemary, and garlic finely. In a bowl, mix these herbs and garlic with softened room temperature butter, using your fingers to blend them thoroughly and soften the butter evenly.
- Apply Butter Mixture: Liberally spread the herb and garlic butter mixture over and under the skin of the turkey breast to infuse maximum flavor during roasting.
- Place Turkey in Pan: Arrange the butter-coated turkey breast skin-side up on the lined roasting pan. Optionally, place the breast on a bed of sliced onions, carrots, or celery to enhance pan drippings and flavor.
- Roast Turkey: Roast the turkey breast at 350°F for 15-20 minutes per pound (approximately 1 hour for this size). Periodically check the internal temperature with a food thermometer for doneness.
- Finish Crisping Skin: In the last 15 minutes of cooking, remove any cover or lid, increase oven temperature to 400°F (205°C) to crisp the skin beautifully.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the turkey when it reaches 150°F internal temperature and allow it to rest until it carries over to 165°F, ensuring juiciness. Slice and serve immediately or cool for use in sandwiches.
Notes
- Perfect for those who want an easier alternative to cooking a whole turkey.
- Great for feeding smaller groups without excess leftovers.
- Using sliced vegetables under the turkey adds flavor and keeps the meat elevated for even cooking.
- Letting the turkey rest after roasting is crucial for juicy slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 584 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 60 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
