If you’re looking for a dish that’s both comforting and impressively flavorful, this Roasted Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe is an absolute winner. Imagine tender, juicy turkey infused with aromatic herbs and rich garlic butter, all roasted to golden perfection. This recipe is a beautiful balance of simplicity and gourmet flair, perfect for a special family dinner or when you want to treat yourself to something extraordinary. The butter and herbs work their magic to elevate the turkey breast into something truly memorable, while the slow roasting ensures each bite is bursting with flavor and just the right texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this Roasted Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe, you’ll only need a handful of simple but impactful ingredients. Each one plays a special role, from enriching the meat to adding layers of flavorful herbs that make this dish stand out.
- Turkey breast, bone-in and skin-on: About 2 to 2 1/2 pounds for perfect juiciness and texture with crispy skin.
- Garlic cloves, minced: Eight cloves for that bold, fragrant punch that makes herb butter so irresistible.
- Unsalted butter: One stick to create the luscious herb butter base without overpowering saltiness.
- Fresh rosemary, finely chopped: One tablespoon to bring a lovely piney, earthy aroma.
- Dry thyme, finely ground: Half a teaspoon for subtle, slightly sweet herbal notes.
- Black pepper, finely ground: Half a teaspoon to add the right hint of spice.
- Kosher salt: Two teaspoons, divided, essential to enhance all the flavors and season perfectly.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make Roasted Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Oven and Herb Butter
Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, creating the ideal gentle heat to roast the turkey evenly. While the oven warms, it’s time to craft that lovely herb butter. In a microwave-safe bowl, mix together the unsalted butter, one teaspoon of kosher salt, minced garlic, fresh rosemary, black pepper, and thyme. Melt this mixture on high for one minute, then set it aside to infuse the butter with all those vibrant herb and garlic flavors.
Step 2: Finalizing the Butter Infusion
Pop the bowl back in the microwave for an additional 30 seconds to ensure the butter is fully melted and ready to saturate the turkey. Next, strain the butter through a fine sieve to separate the infused butter from the solid garlic and herbs. Don’t throw those out—you’ll be using them to rub onto the turkey breast in just a bit!
Step 3: Preparing the Turkey
Place your bone-in, skin-on turkey breast in a baking dish skin-side up. For a fun kitchen hack, cover the turkey loosely with plastic wrap. This prevents any flying butter splashes when you use a kitchen injector to infuse the turkey with your strained herb butter in a diamond pattern all over the breast. This step is pure magic, ensuring every bite is juicy and flavorful beneath that crispy skin.
Step 4: Rubbing and Seasoning
Take the reserved garlic and herb solids and rub them all over the turkey breast, followed by the butter from the bottom of your baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining teaspoon of kosher salt evenly across the top, pressing lightly to ensure it sticks. This will season the skin beautifully and encourage a golden, crispy finish.
Step 5: Roasting to Perfection
If you have a BBQ thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the turkey breast—this is highly recommended to monitor doneness precisely. Roast your turkey at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about one hour, brushing the top with pan juices about halfway through roasting. The magic number to watch for is an internal temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit, which will ensure moist, tender meat.
Step 6: Resting and Serving
Once cooked, remove the turkey breast from the oven and allow it to rest for five minutes before slicing. Resting is crucial—it lets the juices redistribute throughout the meat, guaranteeing each slice is juicy and flavorful. This final step completes the wonderful journey of your Roasted Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe.
How to Serve Roasted Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like fresh sprigs of rosemary or thyme can echo the herb flavors in the dish while adding a fresh pop of color. A drizzle of extra pan juices or a light brush of warm herb butter before serving can also elevate the presentation and taste, heightening the richness of every bite.
Side Dishes
This Roasted Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe pairs amazingly well with comforting sides such as creamy mashed potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, or a crisp green bean almondine. Each of these sides complements the savory richness of the turkey without overpowering its delicate herb essence, making your meal balanced and thoroughly satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, consider slicing the turkey and fanning it out on a large platter lined with roasted root vegetables or a bed of wild rice. You can even create an herb butter dipping sauce on the side to offer an interactive experience. These simple presentation ideas will impress your guests and make the dish the centerpiece of any meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your roasted turkey, allow any leftovers to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. Properly stored in the refrigerator, sliced turkey breast can stay fresh for up to four days, making it perfect for quick sandwiches or salads during the week.
Freezing
If you want to keep leftovers longer, freezing is a great option. Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container. The turkey can maintain its best quality for up to three months, ensuring you can enjoy this delicious recipe well beyond the initial meal.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the sliced turkey in the oven or on the stovetop with a splash of broth or pan juices to keep it moist. Microwave reheating works too—just cover the slices and heat slowly to prevent drying out. Proper reheating keeps the texture tender and the flavor vibrant, much like when freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use a boneless turkey breast for this Roasted Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe?
Absolutely! Boneless turkey breast can be used, but be mindful that cooking times will be shorter. Use a meat thermometer to prevent overcooking and maintain the juicy texture.
Do I need to brine the turkey breast beforehand?
While brining can add extra moisture, this recipe’s herb butter infusion does a fantastic job keeping the turkey tender, so brining is optional. If you do brine, reduce added salt in the herb butter to avoid oversalting.
Can I make the herb butter ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the herb butter up to a day in advance and store it refrigerated. Just warm it gently before using it to inject and baste your turkey breast.
What if I don’t have a kitchen injector for the butter?
No worries! You can still rub the herb butter thoroughly over and under the skin to get plenty of flavor and moisture into the turkey. The injector is a nice bonus but not essential.
How do I know when the turkey breast is perfectly cooked?
The best way is to use a meat thermometer. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees Fahrenheit. The meat will continue to cook a bit more while resting, reaching the perfect doneness.
Final Thoughts
This Roasted Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe truly feels like a culinary hug on a plate—a perfect mix of juicy, flavorful meat and aromatic herbs wrapped in crispy skin. Whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is sure to bring joy and satisfy any craving for comfort food. Don’t hesitate to try it out and watch it become a new favorite in your recipe collection!
PrintRoasted Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe
This Roasted Turkey Breast with Herb Butter recipe delivers a juicy and flavorful turkey breast infused with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and black pepper. The turkey is seasoned with a fragrant herb butter that is injected into the meat and rubbed on the skin, then slowly roasted to perfection, resulting in a tender and aromatic main dish perfect for any festive meal or family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (about 2 – 2 1/2 lbs)
Herb Butter Mixture
- 8 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 Tbsp rosemary (fresh, finely chopped)
- 1/2 tsp dry thyme (finely ground)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (finely ground)
- 2 tsp kosher salt (divided)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F to prepare for roasting the turkey breast evenly and gently.
- Prepare Herb Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, minced garlic, fresh rosemary, black pepper, and thyme. Microwave on high for 1 minute until the butter fully melts. Mix well and let the mixture infuse for 5 minutes.
- Reheat Herb Butter: Return the bowl to the microwave and cook on high for an additional 30 seconds to ensure the butter is completely liquefied for easy injection and rubbing.
- Strain Butter Mixture: Strain the melted butter through a fine sieve into a separate container, reserving the minced garlic and herbs separately for rubbing on the turkey.
- Prepare Turkey for Injection: Place the turkey breast skin-side up in a baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap to contain the butter during injection. Fill a kitchen meat injector with the strained herb butter and inject into the breast in a diamond pattern, releasing about 1/4 to 1/3 ounce per injection to flavor the meat thoroughly.
- Rub Herb Mixture: Use the reserved garlic and herbs along with the remaining butter from the bottom of the dish to rub all over the turkey breast, coating the skin and meat with aromatic flavors.
- Season with Salt: Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 teaspoon of kosher salt over the turkey breast and gently pat it into the skin to ensure it adheres well and seasons the meat.
- Insert Thermometer (Optional): If available, insert a BBQ or meat thermometer probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast to monitor doneness during roasting.
- Roast the Turkey: Bake the turkey breast at 325°F for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F. About 1 hour into roasting, brush the top of the breast with pan juices to keep the meat moist and enhance flavor.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the turkey breast from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute for a moist, tender eating experience.
Notes
- Using a meat thermometer is highly recommended to ensure the turkey breast is cooked to the correct internal temperature without overcooking.
- Letting the herb butter infuse for a few minutes intensifies the flavors infused into the turkey.
- The garlic and herbs left from straining can be used to further flavor the skin and meat, enhancing the aromatic profile.
- Resting the turkey after roasting is crucial to maintain juiciness.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger servings, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- Bone-in turkey breasts tend to stay more moist and flavorful compared to boneless.
