Christmas Herb Roasted Turkey Breast 🎄
A festive and flavorful herb-roasted turkey breast, perfect for your holiday meal. Easy to prepare and guaranteed to be tender and juicy.
Equipment
- Roasting Pan
- Meat Thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 bone-in turkey breast (about 3-5 pounds), or boneless
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened (for a healthier option, use olive oil!)
- 0.5 tsp sea salt
- 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1.5 tsp fresh thyme chopped
- 1.5 tsp fresh rosemary chopped
- 0.5 tsp fresh sage chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Your Turkey: If your turkey breast is frozen, remember to thaw it completely in the refrigerator beforehand (allow 24 hours per 5 pounds). About 20 minutes before you're ready to cook, take the turkey out of the fridge to let it come closer to room temperature. This simple step helps it cook more evenly and keeps it tender.
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C) to get it perfectly warm for roasting.
- Whip Up the Herb Butter: In a small bowl, combine your softened butter (or olive oil!), minced garlic, salt, pepper, and all the lovely chopped fresh herbs: thyme, rosemary, and sage. Mix everything together until it's smooth and beautifully blended.
- Season Like a Pro: Gently pat the turkey breast completely dry with paper towels – this helps achieve that irresistible crispy skin. Lightly sprinkle extra salt and pepper all over the outside.
- Flavor Under the Skin: Carefully lift the skin of the turkey breast (it's easier than it sounds!). Take about a spoonful of your delicious herb butter mixture and spread it evenly underneath the skin, covering both sides of the breast for maximum flavor and moisture.
- Herb Rub Magic: Now, rub the rest of the herb butter evenly over the entire outer surface of the turkey breast. Make sure every part gets some of that flavorful goodness!
- Ready to Roast: Place your beautifully seasoned turkey breast in a roasting pan or a sturdy baking dish.
- Roast to Perfection: Pop the pan into your preheated oven, making sure it's centered on the rack. Roast for about 14-15 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast (avoiding the bone) reads 160-162°F (71-72°C). Remember, it will continue to cook a little more as it rests!
- The Golden Rest: Once cooked, carefully remove the turkey from the oven and loosely tent it with aluminum foil. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes before you carve it. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender, moist, and flavorful turkey every single time.
- Slice and Enjoy: Carve your perfectly roasted turkey breast into slices and serve immediately! It's a healthy, easy, and delicious centerpiece for any festive meal.
Notes
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: ~320
- Total Carbs: ~2g
- Net Carbs: ~1g
- Fats: ~18g
- Protein: ~48g
