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    Home » Turkey » Easy Juicy Roasted Turkey Breast

    Easy Juicy Roasted Turkey Breast

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    Having a small, intimate Thanksgiving dinner? Easy, juicy roasted turkey breast with crispy skin is the perfect holiday dinner item minus the big headache. I mean, why make the whole bird when you know you won't finish all the leftovers the following week?

    Easy juicy roasted turkey breast is the PERFECT holiday dinner, minus the headache...tender meat, crispy skin, and a layer of roasted onions. | aheadofthyme.com

    Why You'll Love this Juicy Roasted Turkey Breast

    • Perfect for Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, turkey is not just for Thanksgiving. You can (and should) make this all year long. We are talking tender juicy meat with crispy skin, roasted on a layer of caramelized onions. But, I have to agree, roast turkey just hits the spot during the holidays. Especially when you serve it with a side of mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce. And don't get me started on all the vegetable sides that would be perfect with this.
    • The best texture. The key to getting that perfectly juicy turkey with crispy skin is to cook the turkey at a high temperature for a shorter period of time. Basically, the same method that I use when roasting the whole turkey (see recipe for whole turkey).
    Easy juicy roasted turkey breast is the PERFECT holiday dinner, minus the headache...tender meat, crispy skin, and a layer of roasted onions. | aheadofthyme.com

    Ingredient Notes

    To make this delicious and easy Roasted Turkey Breast, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

    • turkey breast
    • butter
    • salt and pepper
    • thyme - or substitute with another fresh herb such as rosemary or sage, or a combination of the three.
    • onion
    • all-purpose flour - you only need flour if you are making the gravy to go along with it.

    You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a roasting pan, and aluminum foil. I also recommend using a meat thermometer so you know exactly when the bird is done.

    Easy juicy roasted turkey breast is the PERFECT holiday dinner, minus the headache...tender meat, crispy skin, and a layer of roasted onions. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Roasted Turkey Breast

    1. Prepare turkey. Wash and pat dry turkey with paper towels. Brush both sides of turkey breast with melted butter. Rub on salt, pepper, and thyme.
    2. Assemble. On a roasting pan, add sliced onions and olive oil. Toss to coat. Layer roasting rack on top and place turkey breast with the skin up on a roasting tray.
    3. Roast. Roast in a 450F preheated oven for 25 minutes, until the skin is golden brown, then lower the oven temperature to 350 F and loosely cover the turkey with aluminum foil. Continue to roast until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 F as read on a meat thermometer, approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on thickness.
    4. Broil (optional): For extra crispy skin, turn the broiler on high and broil for 2-3 minutes until crispy. Keep a close eye on the broiler as things can burn quickly. 
    5. Rest. Remove from oven and allow turkey to sit for 15 minutes before carving.
    6. Garnish. Garnish with fresh thyme on top and serve with caramelized onions, a side of mashed potatoes, and a drizzle of gravy (or pan juices).
    Easy juicy roasted turkey breast is the PERFECT holiday dinner, minus the headache...tender meat, crispy skin, and a layer of roasted onions. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make an Easy Turkey Gravy

    For an easy gravy, pour 2 cups of turkey drippings through a fine mesh sieve and into a cooking pot. Add flour and whisk to combine. Make sure the flour is fully dissolved. Transfer the pot to the stove and heat over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, continuously stirring until gravy is thickened. If the gravy gets too thick, add one tablespoon of water at a time to thin it out. If it is too thin, whisk constantly and bring it to a boil to thicken, or whisk in ½ tablespoon of flour at a time.

    Easy juicy roasted turkey breast is the PERFECT holiday dinner, minus the headache...tender meat, crispy skin, and a layer of roasted onions. | aheadofthyme.com

    More Turkey Recipes

    • 35 Best Turkey Recipes
    • Instant Pot Turkey Breast
    • Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
    • The Best and Juiciest Whole Turkey
    • Classic Homemade Turkey Gravy
    • Easy 2-Ingredient Turkey Gravy

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

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    Easy juicy roasted turkey breast is the PERFECT holiday dinner, minus the headache...tender meat, crispy skin, and a layer of roasted onions. | aheadofthyme.com

    Easy Juicy Roasted Turkey Breast


    ★★★★★

    5 from 5 reviews

    • Author: Sam | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    • Yield: 1 turkey breast (3-4 servings)
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Easy juicy roasted turkey breast is the PERFECT holiday dinner, minus the headache...tender meat, crispy skin, and a layer of roasted onions.


    Ingredients

    • 1 (2-2.5 lbs.) turkey breast, boneless and skin-on
    • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 sprig fresh thyme, stem removed
    • 1 medium onion, sliced
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour, or more if needed (optional to make gravy)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 450 F.
    2. Wash and pat dry turkey with paper towels. Brush both sides of turkey breast with melted butter. Rub on salt, pepper, and thyme.
    3. On a roasting pan, add sliced onions and olive oil. Toss to coat. Layer roasting rack on top and place turkey breast with the skin up on a roasting tray. Roast for 25 minutes, until the skin is golden brown, then lower the oven temperature to 350 F and loosely cover the turkey with aluminum foil. Continue to roast until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 F as read on a meat thermometer, approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on thickness.
    4. For extra crispy skin, turn the broiler on high and broil for 2-3 minutes until crispy. Keep a close eye on the broiler as things can burn quickly. 
    5. Remove from oven and allow turkey to sit for 15 minutes before carving.
    6. Garnish with fresh thyme on top and serve with caramelized onions, a side of mashed potatoes, and a drizzle of gravy (or pan juices).
    7. For an easy gravy, pour 2 cups of turkey drippings through a fine mesh sieve and into a cooking pot. Add flour and whisk to combine. Make sure the flour is fully dissolved. Transfer the pot to the stove and heat over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, continuously stirring until gravy is thickened. If the gravy gets too thick, add one tablespoon of water at a time to thin it out. If it is too thin, whisk constantly and bring it to a boil to thicken, or whisk in ½ tablespoon of flour at a time.
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 60 minutes
    • Category: Turkey
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    Easy juicy roasted turkey breast is the PERFECT holiday dinner, minus the headache...tender meat, crispy skin, and a layer of roasted onions. | aheadofthyme.com
    Easy Juicy Roasted Turkey Breast
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Trish Cooper says

      April 27, 2022 at 11:28 am

      Great easy to follow for first timers. Came out great.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Annette Hudok says

      November 25, 2020 at 4:52 pm

      What about a bone in breast

      Reply
      • Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says

        November 27, 2020 at 11:01 pm

        For a bone-in breast, the cook time will be longer, closer to an hour and 30 minutes. Check for doneness when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the turkey without touching the bone reads 165F.

        Reply
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