How Long Do You Cook a 9 lb Turkey Breast? Tips and Recipes for Perfectly Cooked Meat

Cooking a 9 lb turkey breast requires some special considerations to ensure it turns out moist, tender and flavorful. With the right techniques, you can have a delicious centerpiece for your holiday meal.

Overview of Cooking Times

The cooking time for a 9 lb turkey breast will depend on a few factors

• If it’s stuffed or unstuffed – Stuffed breasts take longer since the stuffing needs to reach a safe temperature as well.

• If it’s thawed or frozen – A frozen breast could nearly double the cooking time

• Oven temperature – Lower temperatures (325°F) are recommended for keeping it moist. Higher temps will speed up cooking.

Here are some general guidelines for cooking times:

• Unstuffed, thawed: About 3-4 hours at 325°F
• Stuffed, thawed: About 4 hours at 325°F
• Unstuffed, frozen: About 5-6 hours at 325°F
• Stuffed, frozen: About 6 hours at 325°F

The best way to know it’s done is to use a meat thermometer. Turkey breast is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step-by-Step Roasting Method

Follow these steps for roasting a moist, flavorful 9 lb turkey breast:

1. Thaw if Frozen

• Thaw frozen turkey breast in the refrigerator 1 day for every 5 lbs. A 9 lb breast will need about 2 days to thaw.

• You can speed up thawing with a cold water bath. Submerge sealed breast in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. About 4-6 hours thawing time.

2. Prepare the Breast

• Remove giblets and neck from cavities. Rinse turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

• Rub skin all over with olive oil or melted butter. This helps prevent drying and promotes browning.

• Generously season under and on top of skin with salt, pepper and any other desired seasonings like thyme, sage or rosemary.

• If stuffing the breast, spoon prepared stuffing loosely into cavity, leaving some room for expansion. Truss with kitchen string to secure.

3. Preheat Oven and Roasting Pan

• Preheat oven to 325°F.

• Place a roasting rack in a heavy roasting pan. Pour 1 cup chicken or turkey broth in bottom of pan to keep moist.

4. Roast the Turkey Breast

• Place stuffed or unstuffed breast on roasting rack, skin side up.

• Tent loosely with aluminum foil to prevent overbrowning.

• Roast for estimated cooking time based on size, frozen/thawed and stuffed/unstuffed.

• Baste occasionally with pan juices to keep moist and brown.

• Roast until internal temperature in thickest part reaches 165°F.

5. Let Rest and Carve

• Remove roasting pan from oven and tent breast with foil. Let rest 20-30 minutes before carving.

• Transfer to a cutting board and slice across the grain into thin slices.

• Serve warm with pan gravy, stuffing and your favorite sides!

Tips for a Moist, Tender Turkey Breast

• Always thaw frozen turkey breast in the refrigerator rather than countertop to prevent bacterial growth.

• Cook at a lower temperature (325°F) rather than high heat which can dry out the lean meat.

• Baste frequently with broth to keep the meat moist and juicy.

• Tent with foil to prevent overbrowning and drying out.

• Let the breast rest before slicing to allow juices to be reabsorbed.

• Use a meat thermometer to accurately determine doneness rather than relying on cooking times.

• Carve across the grain for more tender slices.

Stuffing Ideas

If stuffing your turkey breast, here are some delicious flavor combinations:

• Cornbread stuffing – Combine cornbread, sausage, onions, celery, broth and sage.

• Wild rice stuffing – Cook wild rice with mushrooms, pecans, onion and parsley.

• Apple and sausage – Saute apples and sausage with celery, sage and onion.

• Cranberry and pecan – Toss dried cranberries, chopped pecans, celery and onion.

• Sourdough and spinach – Mix cubed sourdough bread, spinach, feta and sun-dried tomatoes.

Gravy Tips

Making gravy from the turkey pan drippings takes your meal to the next level.

• Use broth leftover in roasting pan along with drippings for more flavor.

• Skim excess fat from drippings before making gravy for healthier results.

• For a thicker gravy, mix cornstarch or flour with cold water to form a slurry and whisk into hot gravy.

• Season with salt, pepper and herbs like sage, thyme or rosemary.

• For a savory twist, add sautéed mushrooms or shallots.

What to Do with Leftovers

With a 9 lb turkey breast, you’ll likely have plenty of leftovers. Here are some delicious ways to use them up:

• Turkey sandwiches – Layer sliced turkey with cheese, lettuce, tomato and cranberry sauce on bread.

• Turkey salad – Dice turkey and mix with mayo, celery, onion and cranberries for sandwiches or wraps.

• Turkey casserole – Combine diced turkey, vegetables, broth and rice or pasta. Top with cheese and bake.

• Turkey tetrazzini – Toss spaghetti with diced turkey in a creamy parmesan-cheese sauce.

• Turkey soup – Simmer turkey pieces in chicken broth with veggies and rice or noodles.

• Turkey pot pie – Make a creamy turkey and veggie filling and top with a pie crust.

• Turkey tacos – Warm diced turkey in taco seasoning and serve in tortillas with all the fixings.

With proper thawing, seasoning, roasting time and temperature, you can have a perfectly cooked, juicy 9 lb turkey breast to impress your guests this holiday season.