Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast with Herb Butter
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Craving a big turkey dinner but don’t want to cook a giant 20-pound bird? This roasted turkey breast is exactly what you need! It has all the cozy flavor of a holiday turkey, but in a size that’s perfect for a small family, a quiet Sunday dinner, or even a weeknight when you’re craving comfort food.
This oven roasted turkey breast recipe uses a simple herb butter rubbed both under and over the skin. That’s the secret to turkey that’s juicy on the inside and golden and crispy on the outside every single time. You don’t need to baste it every 20 minutes or wrestle with a bird the size of a toddler. Just a few simple ingredients, one baking dish, and a little patience.
Whether you’re making this for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a random Tuesday because turkey sounds good, this recipe works. A bone-in turkey breast holds in more moisture than boneless, so you get tender meat without drying it out. By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to make roasted turkey breast that turns out perfect every time, plus tips for storing, serving, and switching up the flavors.
Ingredient Notes and Tips
- Turkey Breast: We use a 6-pound bone-in, skin-on turkey breast. The bone helps keep the meat juicy while it roasts, and the skin protects the meat and gets wonderfully crispy. Bone-in turkey breast is easy to find at most grocery stores, especially around the holidays.
- Butter: Unsalted butter lets you control the salt in the recipe. Make sure it’s softened, not melted, so it mixes easily with the garlic and herbs.
- Olive Oil: Blending oil into the herb butter makes it easier to spread and helps the skin crisp up nicely in the oven.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic cloves give the best flavor.
- Fresh Rosemary and Thyme: Fresh herbs make a big difference here. If you only have dried, use about a third of the amount, since dried herbs are more concentrated.
- Onion Powder: This is optional, but it adds a little extra savory depth to the butter.
- Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that let the turkey and herbs shine—season generously since turkey breast is a large cut of meat.
How to Make Roasted Turkey Breast
Herb Butter Ingredients-
Combine herb butter ingredients
-
Apply herb butter
- Take the chill off (20 to 30 minutes): Set the turkey breast out on the counter, still wrapped, before cooking. Starting with meat that isn’t ice-cold helps it cook more evenly.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F: A hot oven start is key to crispy, golden skin.
- Make the herb butter: Combine the softened butter, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme in a bowl until well mixed.
- Dry and loosen the skin: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels, then gently loosen the skin from the meat with your fingers to create a pocket without tearing it off completely. A dry surface helps the skin crisp instead of steam.
- Butter it up: Spread about half of the herb butter underneath the skin, directly on the meat, then rub the rest over the outside of the skin. Sprinkle with onion powder if using. Buttering under the skin is what makes this turkey so juicy and flavorful all the way through.
- Roast at two temperatures: Place the turkey skin-side up in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Roast uncovered at 425°F for 20 minutes to brown the skin, then lower the heat to 325°F and continue roasting 40 to 50 minutes, until a thermometer in the thickest part reads 160°F. Starting hot and finishing low keeps the outside from over-browning while the inside cooks through gently.
- Rest before slicing: Tent the turkey loosely with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes. The internal temperature will rise to the safe 165°F while it rests, and the juices will settle back into the meat instead of running out onto your cutting board.
Recipe Variations
- Extra Herby: Add fresh sage along with the rosemary and thyme for a more traditional holiday flavor.
- Smoky Turkey Breast: Stir a little smoked paprika into the herb butter for a subtle smoky flavor.
- Bright and Citrusy: Add the zest of one lemon to the herb butter for a fresh, bright twist.
- Spice it Up: A pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes in the butter adds gentle heat that pairs well with the herbs.
- Gravy-Ready: Add a splash of chicken or turkey stock to the baking dish before roasting to catch drippings for homemade gravy.
How to Store Roasted Turkey Breast
Store leftover turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, wrap sliced turkey tightly and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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To reheat, slice the turkey and warm it in the oven or air fryer at 325°F with a splash of chicken broth to help keep it moist, until heated through.
How to Serve Roasted Turkey Breast
This roasted turkey breast is just as at home on a holiday table as it is on a regular Sunday. Serve it warm, sliced against the grain, with the pan drippings spooned over the top.
If you’re planning a turkey dinner, these recipes from Hostess At Heart pair perfectly with this roasted turkey breast:
- Mashed Potatoes – Creamy, buttery, and the perfect partner for turkey and gravy.
- Green Bean Casserole – A holiday classic made with fresh green beans.
- Classic Thanksgiving Dressing – The perfect side to serve alongside your turkey breast.
- Easy Chicken Gravy – Made with or without drippings, it’s amazing spooned over sliced turkey.
- Soft Dinner Rolls – These rolls are my most requested, and I make them the day before. If you know you’re going to have leftover turkey, make Hawaiian Rolls for sliders!
Since this recipe makes a smaller amount than a whole turkey, it’s also perfect for slicing into sandwiches, wraps, or a quick weeknight dinner alongside a simple salad.
Frequently asked questions
Give This Roasted Turkey Breast a Try!
This roasted turkey breast with herb butter proves you don’t need a huge bird to have a delicious, holiday-worthy dinner. It’s juicy, full of flavor, and easy enough to make any time the craving hits.
Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Please leave a comment below and don’t forget to rate it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars. Your feedback helps other readers and makes my day!
Roasted Turkey Breast (With Herb Butter)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 lb turkey breast bone-in skin-on is what we prefer
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
- 1 teaspoon onion powder *optional*
Instructions
- Remove the turkey breast from the refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes before cooking, leaving it wrapped to take the chill off.
- Preheat the oven to 425 °F.
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened butter, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme until well mixed.
- Remove the turkey from the packaging and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Carefully loosen the skin from the meat with your fingers, creating a pocket without completely removing the skin.
- Spread about half of the herb butter underneath the skin, covering as much of the breast as possible.
- Rub the remaining herb butter evenly over the outside of the skin.
- Sprinkle the onion powder over the butter. “Optional”
- Place the turkey breast skin-side up in a 9×13-inch baking dish or roasting pan.
- Roast uncovered at 425 °F for 20 minutes.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 325 °F and continue roasting for 40 to 50 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches 160 °F.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and loosely tent with foil. Allow it to rest for 15 minutes before slicing. During the resting time, the internal temperature will continue to rise to approximately 165°F.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
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