Roast Turkey Breast Recipe

roast turkey breast sliced on a platter with oranges and lemons around it.

5 from 1 vote

Juicy roast turkey breast slathered in garlic herb butter: crispy golden skin, tender meat, and packed with fresh flavor. Perfect for smaller holidays or weeknight comfort, this foolproof recipe turns out beautifully every single time. I adapted it from my whole roasted turkey recipe in case you do need a larger serving.

Prep Time10

Cook Time1 30

Total Time1 40

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: herb roasted turkey, turkey breast

Servings: servings

Author: Elena Davis

Ingredients

Herb Butter

½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 ½ teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 ½ teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
¾ teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika optional, for depth of flavor
Zest of ½ lemon optional, for brightness
1 ½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice optional, for extra flavor

Turkey

1 whole bone-in turkey breast 3–5 pounds, or use a boneless breast if preferred
Olive oil for drizzling
Additional salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the Oven

Preheat to 325°F (163°C). Place the turkey breast on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan.
Make the Herb Butter
In a small bowl, mix softened butter with salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, sage, paprika, lemon zest, and lemon juice until well combined.

Season the Turkey

Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
Gently loosen the skin with your fingers. Spread half the herb butter underneath the skin and the rest on top.
Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season the outside with extra salt and pepper.

Roast the Turkey Breast

Place in the oven and roast until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), about 13–15 minutes per pound. See notes for cooking times.
Pro Tip: Tent with foil if the skin starts to brown too quickly.

Rest and Serve

Remove from oven, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 15–20 minutes before slicing. The temperature will rise to 165°F (74°C) as it rests.

Notes

Roasting Time Guide (325°F) 13 min a pound:

Turkey Breast Weight	Approx. Time
2 pounds	26–30 minutes
3 pounds	40–45 minutes
4 pounds	52–60 minutes
5 pounds	65–75 minutes
6 pounds	78–90 minutes
7 pounds	91–105 minutes

Always rely on a meat thermometer rather than time alone.

Make Ahead, Storage & Reheating

Make Ahead: Prepare the herb butter and season the turkey breast up to 24 hours in advance. Keep covered in the refrigerator until ready to roast.
Storage: Store leftover turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Slice turkey and wrap tightly in foil or freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a 300°F oven, covered with foil and with a splash of broth to keep it moist, for about 15–20 minutes, or until warmed through.

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