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Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 75 reviews
  • Author: Wesley
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 90 minutes
  • Total Time: 110 minutes
  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast is a succulent and flavorful dish featuring a single bone-in, skin-on turkey breast generously rubbed with a garlic and fresh herb butter. The butter is skillfully spread under the skin to keep the meat moist while roasting, infusing it with aromatic flavors of rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley. Roasted to perfection in the oven, this recipe delivers juicy, tender turkey accompanied by a rich herb-infused pan sauce, perfect for family dinners or festive occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Turkey

  • 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 side of 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

  1. Remove fridge chill: Take the turkey breast out of the refrigerator 45 minutes prior to cooking to allow it to come closer to room temperature, ensuring even cooking. If the environment is very hot, 30 minutes is sufficient.
  2. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 200°C (390°F) using any type of oven and place the rack in the lower middle position to ensure optimal heat circulation for roasting.
  3. Prepare herb bed: Place the smashed garlic cloves and the bunch of fresh herbs in the middle of a baking dish; this will create a flavorful base and infuse aromatics into the turkey while roasting.
  4. Make garlic herb butter: Combine the softened butter with salt, pepper, minced garlic, and finely chopped sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Mix thoroughly until fully incorporated.
  5. Loosen turkey skin: Gently insert an upside-down teaspoon under the skin of the turkey breast to loosen it from the flesh without tearing, focusing on the thin paper-like layer beneath the surface skin for ease.
  6. Apply butter under skin (top): Use about two-thirds of the garlic herb butter and carefully smear it under the loosened skin on the top half of the turkey breast, using your hands to spread it evenly to maximize flavor infusion and moisture retention.
  7. Apply butter under skin (underside): Turn the turkey breast upside down and spread the remaining butter (except about 2 tablespoons) under the skin on the underside to cover the whole breast evenly.
  8. Arrange turkey in pan: Place the turkey breast skin-side up on the garlic and herb bed in your baking dish.
  9. Butter the skin: Take the reserved 2 tablespoons of butter and lightly smear it on the turkey skin’s surface, taking care not to use too much to avoid burning the herb bits during roasting.
  10. Optional make-ahead: If desired, cover and refrigerate the prepared turkey for up to 24 hours. Remove it from the fridge 45 minutes before roasting when ready to proceed.
  11. Roast: Place the baking dish in the oven and roast the turkey breast for approximately 90 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 74°C (165°F), ensuring juicy, fully cooked meat.
  12. Rest and serve: Allow the roasted turkey breast to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving to redistribute juices. Serve with the herb and garlic pan sauce spooned over slices for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

  • Watch the RECIPE VIDEO for helpful tips on loosening the skin and spreading the butter evenly.
  • Using fresh herbs is strongly recommended for the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted by using about one-third of the fresh herb quantity, added directly to the butter mix.
  • A meat thermometer is essential to ensure the turkey breast is cooked perfectly juicy and not overdone.
  • Roasting at 200°C helps develop a crispy skin while keeping the meat moist inside.
  • The garlic herb butter not only flavors the meat but also melts during roasting to create a delicious pan sauce to drizzle over the sliced turkey.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 336 g
  • Calories: 598 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 45 g
  • Saturated Fat: 25 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 48 g
  • Cholesterol: 145 mg

Find it online: https://lickplates.com/garlic-herb-butter-roasted-turkey-breast-recipe/