If you’re on the hunt for a juicy, flavorful roasted turkey breast that’s bursting with fresh herbs and garlic, you’re in for a treat. This Herb Garlic Roast Turkey Breast Recipe has quickly become one of my go-to dishes for special gatherings or whenever I want a comforting, elegant meal without fussing over a whole bird. I absolutely love how the garlic and herbs infuse every bite while the skin crisps up beautifully—here’s everything you need to know to nail it yourself!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Moist Meat: Brushing the herbed garlic butter under the skin keeps the turkey juicy and tender every single time.
- Simple Yet Flavorful: You only need a handful of fresh ingredients to get that gourmet flavor without any complicated steps.
- Beautiful Crispy Skin: Roasting uncovered lets the skin crisp up golden and irresistible without drying out the breast.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy weeknight or holiday feast, this turkey breast recipe fits the bill effortlessly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Herb Garlic Roast Turkey Breast Recipe is how a few fresh, quality ingredients come together to create something impressive. I recommend grabbing fresh herbs from your local farmers’ market if you can—they just add so much more aroma and brightness than dried.
- Whole bone-in turkey breast: Look for fresh or thawed turkey with the skin intact—it’s key for locking in moisture.
- Unsalted butter: Softened at room temperature, this is the base for mixing your garlic and herbs into a flavorful spread.
- Fresh garlic cloves: Mince them finely for that punch of garlicky goodness that complements the herbs perfectly.
- Fresh rosemary: Finely chopped, rosemary adds a piney, earthy aroma that pairs beautifully with turkey.
- Fresh thyme: Just like rosemary, thyme brings a subtle herbal depth—make sure it’s fresh for the best flavor.
- Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning, helping to bring out all the natural flavors in the turkey.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a gentle heat and balance to the butter herb mixture.
Variations
I love that you can tweak this Herb Garlic Roast Turkey Breast Recipe to suit your mood or the season. Sometimes I swap out rosemary for sage, which brings a warmer note—perfect for fall and winter. Feel free to play around with the herbs to match your pantry or occasion.
- Make it citrusy: Adding a teaspoon of lemon zest to the butter mix gave my roast an extra zing that everybody raved about.
- Spicy kick: I sometimes toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes to the herb butter for a subtle heat that pairs well with the richness.
- Dairy-free option: Use a high-quality olive oil instead of butter for those who avoid dairy—just mix the herbs and garlic into it and roast as usual.
- Brining: For an even juicier bite, consider a quick brine before roasting (though the herb butter alone already does wonders!).
How to Make Herb Garlic Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up the Herb Garlic Butter
This is where the magic begins. In a small bowl, I stir together softened butter with minced garlic, freshly chopped rosemary and thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Make sure your butter is perfectly softened—not melted—so it spreads smoothly under the skin and over the top. It’s the herb butter that’ll keep the turkey tender and infuse it with those fragrant flavors.
Step 2: Coat the Turkey Breast
With clean fingers, gently loosen the skin from both halves of your turkey breast. Be patient here; you want to avoid tearing the skin. Spread half the herb butter under the skin, massaging it all over the meat. Then smooth the skin back in place and spread the remaining butter evenly on top. This double layer is the secret to juicy meat and crackling skin. Place your turkey in a baking dish — I typically use a 9×13-inch dish — to catch any drippings and keep things tidy.
Step 3: Roast to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and pop the turkey in uncovered. I usually roast for about 1 ½ to 2 hours, depending on the size of the breast. Keep an eye on the color—the skin should transform to a gorgeous golden brown. The best way to know it’s done is by using an instant-read thermometer; when it hits 160°F (71°C) in the thickest part of the breast, it’s time to pull it out. Cover loosely with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes—the temperature will climb to 165°F (74°C), and those juices will redistribute beautifully.
Step 4: Slice and Serve
After resting, slice the turkey breast away from the bone and cut crosswise to your preferred thickness. I love serving it family-style for easy sharing. The herb garlic flavors shine through every bite, and the meat stays moist and tender. Let those eyes glaze over as you bring it to the table!
Pro Tips for Making Herb Garlic Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
- Butter Temperature Matters: Always soften your butter at room temp to make spreading under the skin easy and even.
- Loosen Skin Gently: Use your fingers slowly to separate skin without tearing—it traps the herb butter right where it needs to be.
- Thermometer is Your Best Friend: Investing in a good instant-read thermometer saved my turkey from drying out every time.
- Let it Rest Properly: Resting under foil is crucial to juicy slices—don’t skip this step or cut too early!
How to Serve Herb Garlic Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this turkey with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a few whole sprigs of rosemary for that fresh, inviting look. Sometimes a lemon wedge on the side brightens things up beautifully—and it lets your guests add a splash of citrus if they want.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with this dish are roasted rosemary potatoes, honey glazed carrots, and a crisp green salad dressed lightly with vinaigrette. The simplicity balances the rich herb garlic flavors perfectly. And you can’t go wrong with classic cranberry sauce—it adds just the right tang.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners, I sometimes slice the turkey and fan it out on a warmed wooden board surrounded by fresh herb sprigs and roasted vegetables. It looks stunning and invites everyone to serve themselves. Also, drizzling a bit of pan juices or a quick homemade gravy over the slices takes presentation and flavor up a notch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I like to store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge within two hours of cooking. My family usually enjoys the cold slices on sandwiches the next day, which tastes fantastic with a bit of mustard or mayo. Just make sure to cool the turkey completely before refrigerating to keep it fresh.
Freezing
While I usually don’t freeze turkey breast, if you have a crowd and want to save leftovers for later, slice and wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. It freezes well for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To keep the meat tender, I reheat slices gently in a covered dish with a splash of broth at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through. Avoid microwaving directly, as it can dry out the turkey. This method brings back most of that juicy texture and makes the herb garlic flavors shine again.
FAQs
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Can I use boneless turkey breast for this Herb Garlic Roast Turkey Breast Recipe?
Yes, boneless turkey breast can work, but since it cooks faster, keep a close eye on the internal temperature to avoid overcooking. The bone-in variety tends to stay juicier and adds extra flavor during roasting.
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How do I know when the turkey breast is fully cooked?
The best way is using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast—the temperature should read 160°F (71°C) before resting. After resting, it will rise to the safe 165°F (74°C) mark.
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Can I prepare the herb garlic butter mixture ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can mix the herb garlic butter up to a day in advance and keep it chilled. Bring it to room temperature when you’re ready to spread on the turkey for easier application.
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What can I do if I can’t find fresh herbs?
If fresh herbs aren’t available, dried rosemary and thyme can be used, but use them sparingly—about 1 teaspoon each—as dried herbs are more concentrated. You might want to add them to the butter and let it sit for 30 minutes to release flavors before spreading.
Final Thoughts
This Herb Garlic Roast Turkey Breast Recipe is hands-down one of the easiest ways I’ve found to elevate a simple turkey breast into something truly special. It’s juicy, full of herby, garlicky goodness, and has that golden skin that makes everyone’s mouth water. I hope you give it a try next time you want a straightforward, fail-proof roast with serious wow factor—because trust me, once you make this, it’ll become a favorite in your home too.
Print
Herb Garlic Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Roast Turkey Breast with Herbed Garlic Butter is a perfect dish for an intimate holiday dinner or any special occasion. The turkey breast is coated with a flavorful mixture of softened butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper, then roasted to perfection. The result is a juicy, tender turkey with a beautifully crispy skin that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Turkey Breast
- 1 (6 ½ pound) whole bone-in turkey breast
Herbed Garlic Butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make the herb butter: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated to create a flavorful herbed butter mixture.
- Coat the turkey breast: Using your fingers, gently loosen the skin from both halves of the turkey breast without tearing it. Spread half of the herbed butter mixture underneath the skin, ensuring it coats the meat evenly. Then smooth the skin back down and spread the remaining butter mixture evenly on top of the skin. Place the prepared turkey breast in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Roast: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast the turkey breast uncovered for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Roast until the skin turns golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 160°F (71°C). Remove from the oven and tent the turkey loosely with foil. Let it rest for 15 minutes to allow the temperature to rise to 165°F (74°C) and the juices to redistribute.
- Slice: Place the rested turkey breast on a cutting board. Carefully slice the meat away from the breast bone, then cut the slices crosswise to desired thickness for serving.
- Serve: Serve the roasted turkey breast with your favorite side dishes. It pairs well with traditional holiday sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- This recipe is ideal for a small holiday gathering or intimate dinner, providing moist and tender turkey with crispy skin.
- Loosening the skin carefully is key to getting the flavorful herbed butter under it for maximum taste and moisture.
- Using an instant-read thermometer ensures perfectly cooked turkey without overcooking.
- Resting the turkey after roasting helps retain juices and improves slicing.
- Check the video tutorial linked in the original post for visual guidance on preparation and roasting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 521 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 975 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 82 g
- Cholesterol: 245 mg
