Description
This Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast recipe offers a succulent, flavorful poultry dish perfect for family dinners or special occasions. A juicy single turkey breast is seasoned with fresh herbs and garlic butter, roasted to perfection to deliver a crispy skin and tender meat. The herbs and butter are carefully spread under the skin, ensuring an infused, aromatic flavor throughout. A simple method with a no-fuss presentation, this roast will impress with its moist texture and delicious pan sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey Breast
- 2.5 – 3 kg / 5 – 6 lb single turkey breast, skin on, bone in (NOT BRINED)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- Small bunch of fresh herbs: 4 rosemary sprigs, 8 sage sprigs, 10 thyme sprigs
- 12 garlic cloves, smashed with the side of a knife
Garlic Herb Butter
- 150 g / 5 oz (10 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 tsp table salt or 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Remove fridge chill: Take the turkey breast out of the refrigerator about 45 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature, ensuring even cooking. If your environment is very hot, 30 minutes is sufficient.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 200°C / 390°F. Position the oven rack in the lower-middle to allow optimal heat circulation around the turkey.
- Prepare herbs and garlic base: Place the smashed garlic cloves and the small bunch of fresh herbs in the center of a baking dish. This will infuse flavor and keep the turkey elevated slightly.
- Mix garlic herb butter: In a bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with salt, black pepper, minced garlic, chopped sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Blend until evenly mixed.
- Loosen turkey skin: Gently use an upside-down teaspoon to separate the thin skin from the turkey breast flesh, starting with the paper-thin layer beneath the surface. Be careful not to tear the skin.
- Apply butter under skin (top side): Use about two-thirds of the garlic herb butter and smear it evenly underneath the loosened skin on the top half of the turkey breast. Utilize your hands to gently spread the butter for thorough coverage.
- Apply butter under skin (underside): Flip the turkey breast upside down. Use most of the remaining butter to spread underneath the skin on the underside, reserving approximately 2 tablespoons for the surface. This ensures full flavor infusion.
- Arrange turkey on herbs: Place the turkey breast, skin side up, onto the baking dish on top of the garlic and herb bed. This bed helps flavor the bird and prevents sticking.
- Butter the skin surface: Use the reserved 2 tablespoons of butter to lightly smear on the top skin surface. Avoid applying too much on the skin to prevent burning the herbs during roasting.
- Optional make-ahead step: At this stage, you may cover and refrigerate the prepared turkey for up to 24 hours before cooking. Remove it from the fridge 45 minutes before roasting to come to room temperature.
- Roast turkey: Place baking dish in the preheated oven and roast the turkey breast for approximately 90 minutes, or until an internal meat thermometer registers 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part, indicating the meat is cooked through and juicy.
- Rest and serve: Once roasted, let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. Serve with the flavorful pan juices or garnish as desired.
Notes
- This recipe benefits greatly from using fresh herbs to impart vibrant aroma and flavor. However, dried herbs can be substituted in smaller quantities if necessary.
- The garlic herb butter placed under the skin bastes the meat from within as it roasts, keeping the breast moist and rich in flavor.
- Using a meat thermometer is highly recommended to avoid overcooking and to achieve perfectly juicy results every time.
- You can prepare the turkey breast a day ahead with the butter herb mixture under the skin for convenience on serving day.
- Refer to the recipe video linked above for visual guidance on loosening the skin and applying the butter mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 336 g
- Calories: 598 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 53 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
