Turkey with lemon breasts is a delicious and simple way to add bright, fresh flavor to your holiday bird. The tangy lemon complements the savory turkey, making it extra juicy and full of flavor. With just a few easy steps, you can make this tasty twist on traditional turkey for your next special occasion.
Why Cook Turkey with Lemon?
Cooking turkey breasts with lemon imparts a bright, acidic flavor that balances the rich taste of the poultry. Lemon juice is a natural meat tenderizer, so marinating or basting the turkey with lemon will help keep it moist and tender as it cooks. The citrusy aroma also pairs nicely with common turkey seasonings like rosemary, thyme, and sage.
Additionally, the high vitamin C content in lemons can help neutralize gamey flavors sometimes associated with turkey meat. Overall, lemon adds a refreshing flavor that makes turkey extra delicious.
Getting Started with Turkey and Lemon
To get started, you’ll need:
- Bone-in or boneless turkey breast (about 2-3 lbs)
- Fresh lemons
- Butter or olive oil
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage
- Salt and pepper
Make sure the turkey breasts are thawed completely before cooking. rinse them and pat dry with paper towels.
Easy Ways to Cook Turkey Breasts with Lemon
There are a few simple methods for cooking turkey breasts with lemon:
Marinate the turkey in lemon juice Mix together lemon juice, olive oil, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Place the turkey breasts in a baking dish or sealable plastic bag Pour the marinade over the top, cover, and refrigerate for 30 mins up to overnight The acidic lemon juice will tenderize the meat.
Stuff lemon slices under the skin Loosen the skin from the turkey breast meat and slide thin slices of lemon underneath The lemon will impart moisture and flavor as the turkey cooks
Baste with lemon-herb butter: Melt butter with lemon juice and chopped rosemary, thyme, and sage. Brush the mixture over the turkey every 10-15 minutes while roasting. Basting helps keep the turkey breasts super moist.
Roast lemon wedges alongside: Place lemon quarters or slices in the roasting pan alongside the turkey. As the lemons roast, their juice will season the turkey. Squeeze roasted lemons over the cooked turkey for even more flavor.
Make a lemon-herb compound butter: Blend softened butter with lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped herbs. Spread it underneath the turkey skin or on top for incredible flavor.
Tips for Juicy Turkey with Lemon
Follow these tips for the most tender, flavorful lemon turkey breasts:
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Marinate overnight: Letting the turkey sit for several hours or overnight in the lemon marinade allows the acid to fully penetrate and tenderize the meat.
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Roast at a low temp: Cook the turkey at 300??F – 325??F to prevent overcooking and drying out. Monitor with a meat thermometer for doneness.
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Baste frequently: Brushing with lemon-herb butter every 10-15 minutes prevents the turkey skin from drying out.
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Let it rest: Allowing the turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes after roasting allows the juices to reabsorb for moist, tender meat.
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Make pan gravy: Deglaze the roasted pan with chicken stock, simmer and add flour or cornstarch to make an easy, delicious gravy.
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Use the drippings: Turkey drippings infused with lemon make a dynamite pan sauce. Cook sliced turkey in the drippings.
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Get creative with flavors: Try other citrus like orange, lime, or grapefruit too. Or use lemon-pepper seasoning or zest for extra lemon flavor.
Lemon-Herb Turkey Breast Recipes
Here are some delicious recipes to try for turkey seasoned with lemon:
Pan-Seared Turkey Breast with Herbs
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Ingredients: 2-3 lb bone-in turkey breast, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1 lemon, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary and thyme, salt and pepper.
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Directions: Rinse turkey and pat dry. Pound breast to even thickness. Make lemon-herb oil by mixing minced garlic, lemon zest and juice, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey skin-side down, cook 5 mins until browned. Turn breast over, spoon lemon-herb oil over top. Cook 10 mins, until 165°F internally. Tent with foil, let rest 10 mins before slicing.
Lemon-Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
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Ingredients: 3 lb boneless turkey breast, softened butter, minced garlic, lemon zest and juice, chopped rosemary, sage, thyme, salt and pepper.
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Directions: Loosen skin from breast. Mix herbs, garlic, lemon, salt and pepper into softened butter. Rub half under skin, half on skin. Tie up with kitchen twine. Roast at 375??F for 1 hour until 165° internal temp. Rest 10 mins then remove twine and slice.
Lemony Roast Turkey Breast
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Ingredients: 2 lb bone-in turkey breast, 1 lemon quartered, ????? cup olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1????? tbsp minced garlic, ???? tsp dried thyme, salt and pepper.
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Directions: Rinse turkey breast and pat dry. Place lemon quarters and thyme sprigs in cavity. Mix garlic, parsley, thyme, oil, salt and pepper in small bowl. Loosen skin from breast and rub ???? garlic mixture underneath. Rub remaining mixture on skin. Roast at 350??F for 1????? hours until 165??F. Let rest 10 mins before carving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I brine turkey breasts before roasting?
Brining is not necessary if marinating or basting with lemon juice, which also tenderizes and flavors the meat. But an overnight brine can make the meat even more moist and seasoned.
What temperature should I roast bone-in vs boneless turkey breasts?
Cook bone-in breasts to 165??F and boneless to 170??F. The bone conducts heat, so boneless breasts need to cook slightly longer. But do not overcook or the meat will dry out.
Can I stuff an whole lemon inside the turkey cavity?
Only if cooking a whole turkey. Quarters or slices are best for roasted breasts. Whole lemons can create an unpleasant bitter taste.
Should I tent turkey breasts while they roast?
Yes, tent loosely with foil if skin browns too quickly or looks overcooked before meat is fully cooked. Tenting retains moisture and prevents over-browning.
Is roasted lemon-turkey safe to eat if slightly pink?
Turkey breasts are fully cooked and safe to eat at 165??F, even if portions near the bone still have a pinkish hue. The lemon’s acidity also helps kill any bacteria.
Enjoy Flavorful and Tender Turkey with Lemon
Cooking turkey breasts with lemon is an easy way to infuse bright, fresh flavor into your holiday bird. The acidic lemon juice tenderizes the meat, while complementing the savory flavor of turkey. From marinades to compound butters, there are so many delicious ways to season turkey with lemon. For your next special dinner, try this tasty twist on traditional turkey recipes. With just a little lemon, you can enjoy the juiciest, most flavorful turkey yet.
