Herbed Roast Turkey Breast

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.

Tip for Fresh Herbs

Check your grocery store for a “poultry pack” of herbs. They contain a little bit of everything in one package.

If you have leftover herbs, add them to gravy, stuffing or other recipes. Leftover herbs can also be finely chopped and left to dry on a piece of paper towel on the counter for a couple of days. Once completely dried, they can be stored in your spice cupboard.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Did your family love this Roast Turkey Breast recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and a rating below!