This turkey breast recipe is the perfect way to roast turkey for a smaller crowd or for meal prep.
A turkey breast is simply seasoned and roasted to juicy perfection in the oven. It’s perfectly tender every time.
Roast turkey breast is delicious enough for a holiday and easy enough for a weeknight meal.
Roast Turkey Breast is Quick & Easy
I love roasting a whole turkey (and the leftover carcass for soup) but sometimes a roast turkey breast is just the right thing!
- This roast turkey breast is extra moist and juicy with lots of flavor.
- The prep is super easy and it cooks quickly and there is less mess to clean up after too.
- No waste – just tender, juicy slices of turkey!
- A roast turkey breast is easy to prep and super easy to carve. Simply slice and enjoy.
- Great for a smaller crowd or a family meal (and easy enough for a weeknight).
What Kind of Turkey Breast to Buy
Boneless Turkey Breast: This recipe is for boneless turkey breast which is sometimes called turkey breast roast. You can purchase a turkey breast roast at most grocery stores. While a turkey breast is all white meat, you can also buy a combination of white and dark meat. Both will cook for the same amount of time.
Bone-In Turkey Breast: This recipe also works with a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast. See the recipe notes for cooking times.
Seasoning for Turkey Breast: Season the turkey bread with salt & pepper and a bit of poultry seasoning or turkey seasoning. Add fresh herbs for extra flavor. We love parsley, rosemary, sage, and/or thyme.
How Much Turkey Per Person
A good rule of thumb is 1 ½ pounds of turkey per person or about ½ pound of boneless turkey breast per person. Make extra if you have big eaters or want to have leftovers.
How to Roast a Turkey Breast
For boneless or bone-in turkey breasts, a frozen 3 to 7-lb breast will take approximately 1 ½ to 3 hours.
- Prepare the turkey breast; Turkey breast is often sold as a roast a net. If the breast is not wrapped in a net, use kitchen twine to tie it along the roast. Tying the turkey breast for roasting creates a better shape for even cooking.
- Season: Brush turkey breast with oil, sprinkle on herbs & seasonings (per the recipe below).
- Roast: Preheat the oven to 350°F and roast the turkey breast with a little bit of broth and onion.
- Rest: Let the turkey breast rest before slicing.
If desired, the oil and herbs can be replaced with garlic herb butter or another flavored butter mixture.
How Long to Roast Turkey Breast
A boneless turkey breast will need to roast for 30-35 minutes per pound. The shape of the breast (some are thicker rounder while some are flatter) can affect the cooking time.
Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the turkey breast reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the meat.
- 2 lb Turkey Breast – roast for 60 to 70 minutes.
- 2.5 lb Turkey Breast – roast for 75 to 85 minutes.
- 3 lb Turkey Breast – roast for 90 to 105 minutes.
- 4 lb Turkey Breast – roast for 2 hrs to 2 hrs and 20 minutes.
Check the Turkey Early
Always check the turkey breast early. It is lean and you don’t want it to overcook. Shape, size, and even the type of pan used can affect the cooking time. Ensure you take the turkey breast out just before it reaches 165°F to make juicy meat.
Do not use a disposable pan for this recipe (you can line your own pan with foil if needed).
Tips for Juicy Turkey Breast
- Turkey is lean, most importantly, do not overcook it.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure you get juicy meat. The turkey must reach 165°F. Remove it from the oven about 5 degrees early (160°F) as it will continue to cook as it rests.
- Always rest the roast turkey breast. Remove it from the hot pan so it doesn’t overcook and rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Drippings or juices can be used to make gravy, add additional chicken or turkey broth if needed. We use this recipe for gravy.
Here’s a handy guide for using up leftover turkey.
Roasting from Frozen
It’s safe to roast a turkey breast from frozen! Simply add more roasting time to the recipe. Always use a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast to gauge if it’s fully cooked, especially with meats cooked from frozen.
Leftover Turkey Breast
Keep the leftover turkey breast in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze slices in a zippered bag with the date labeled on the outside for up to 2 months. Nothing tastes better than a big pot of homemade turkey soup or make a hearty turkey casserole that’s stuffed with pasta and cheese.
My Favorite Sides for Turkey Breast
Here are our favorite classic sides to pair with a roast turkey breast!
Did your family love this Roast Turkey Breast recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and a rating below!
Herbed Roast Turkey Breast
Roast turkey breast is an easy way to enjoy turkey without having to roast a whole bird. This easy recipe comes out tender and juicy every time, making it the ideal dinner for any night.
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Remove the turkey breast from the fridge and let it sit out for about 30-60 minutes at room temperature.
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Tie the turkey breast (if it is not tied or in a net already). If it is already in a net, leave it in the net to cook.
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Brush the turkey breast with olive oil. Generously sprinkle with fresh herbs, salt, & pepper.
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Place the onions in a small turkey breast in a small casserole dish and nestle onions (and extra herbs if desired) alongside the turkey.
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Roast the turkey breast uncovered for 30 minutes. Add about 1 cup of broth, just enough to cover the bottom of the dish.
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Continue roasting (an additional 30-60 minutes) until the temperature in the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F. (Approximate cook times below).
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Remove from oven and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Cooking Times
- 2 lb Turkey Breast – roast for 60 to 70 minutes.
- 2.5 lb Turkey Breast – roast for 75 to 85 minutes.
- 3 lb Turkey Breast – roast for 90 to 105 minutes.
- 4 lb Turkey Breast – roast for 2 hrs to 2 hrs and 20 minutes.
Cooking time will vary based shape and size of the turkey breast. Make sure the internal temperature of the thickest part reads 165°F. Check the turkey early to ensure it doesn’t overcook. Remove it from the oven about 5-10 degrees early as it will continue to cook as it rests. Remove from the hot baking pan to rest.
Drippings or juices can be used to make gravy, add additional chicken or turkey broth if needed. We use this recipe for gravy. Since there isn’t much fat in a turkey breast, we thicken with cornstarch for this recipe.
Bone-In Turkey Breast: This method works with bone-in turkey breast as well. Preheat oven to 425°F and cook 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F. Cooking time will need to be increased slightly. (6lbs bone in turkey breast will need about 2 to 2.5hrs).
Leftover turkey breast will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Calories: 199 | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 413mg | Potassium: 413mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Turkey
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