Should I Cover My Turkey Breast When Baking?

Baking a juicy, flavorful turkey breast can seem like a daunting task, but with a few simple tips, you’ll have tender, succulent meat every time One of the most common questions when roasting turkey breast is whether you should cover it while it cooks The answer? It depends. Covering the turkey breast for part of the cooking time helps ensure moist meat, while uncovering it later on allows the skin to crisp up. Follow this guide to perfectly baked turkey breast with crispy skin.

Why Covering the Turkey Breast Matters

Covering the turkey breast serves an important purpose – it prevents the delicate breast meat from drying out in the oven. Without a cover, the turkey is exposed to dry oven air the entire time, which draws moisture out of the meat. Turkey breast in particular dries out faster than other cuts like thighs and legs.

Covering the breast creates a little insulation barrier. This allows steam to build up around the meat, keeping it tender and juicy.

So when should you cover the turkey breast? For most of the roasting time. Continue reading for exactly how long and tips to maximize moisture.

Tips for Covering Turkey Breast

• Cover the turkey breast loosely with foil Make sure the foil isn’t pressed tightly to the skin, which can make it soggy

• For the most insulation, you can also tent the foil above the breast without touching it.

• Add broth or water to the bottom of the pan. The evaporating liquid will create steam to surround the meat.

• Baste the turkey breast every 45 minutes with pan juices if it’s not covered. This adds moisture to the surface.

• Make sure to uncover the turkey breast for the last 30-45 minutes. This allows the skin to crisp up.

How Long to Cover Turkey Breast When Baking

For optimal moisture and skin crispiness, follow these guidelines:

• Cover the turkey breast for the first 2/3 of cooking time. This could be around 1 hour 15 minutes for a 3 pound breast roasted at 350°F.

• Uncover for the last 1/3 of cooking time. About 30-45 minutes for a 3 pound breast.

• If the breast is especially large or you’re roasting at a lower temp, extend the covered time.

• Check the thickest part of the breast with a meat thermometer before uncovering. It should read 145°F.

• After uncovering, continue roasting until the breast reaches 160°F for ideal doneness. The temperature will rise 5-10 degrees after removing from the oven.

Moisture-Boosting Tips

Follow these extra tips for incredibly tender, juicy roasted turkey breast:

• Brine the breast in a saltwater solution for a few hours before roasting. This seasons the meat and helps it retain moisture.

• Rub butter or oil under the skin before roasting. This bastes the meat from the inside.

• Roast at a lower temp, like 325°F, to limit moisture loss. Just increase temp at the end for crispy skin.

• Rest the breast for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to absorb back into the meat.

How to Get Crispy Turkey Breast Skin

The key to crispy browned skin is drying out the surface. Follow these tips:

• Pat the skin dry before seasoning and roasting. Damp skin won’t get as crispy.

• Rub the skin with oil or butter and seasonings like salt, pepper, herbs. This helps it brown.

• Poke holes in the skin with a fork to allow fat to drain and moisture to escape.

• Uncover and increase the oven temp to 400°F for the last 30 minutes.

• If the skin isn’t browned enough, broil for a couple minutes watching closely.

Common Turkey Breast Roasting Questions

Should I roast a turkey breast bone-in or boneless?

Bone-in turkey breasts are highly recommended, as the bones conduct less heat and help keep the meat juicy and tender. The bones also add great flavor.

What temperature should turkey breast reach before uncovering?

Check the temperature after about 2/3 of the estimated roast time. Uncover once it reaches 145°F to allow crisping.

What is the minimum cook time per pound for turkey breast?

Figure on roasting turkey breast for about 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F. A 3 pound breast will need 45-60 minutes.

Can I roast turkey breast at a higher temperature?

You can roast at up to 375°F, but keep in mind the breast may dry out faster at higher temps. Extend the covered time as needed.

Should I tent foil over the turkey breast or wrap it tightly?

Loosely tenting foil prevents soggy skin. For the most insulation, tent without touching the breast.

The Best Roast Turkey Breast

This simple recipe delivers tender, juicy turkey breast encased in crispy, golden skin every time. The secret is covering for most of the roasting time, then uncovering to finish.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lb bone-in, skin-on turkey breast
• 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
• 1⁄4 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄4 tsp onion powder
• 1 cup chicken broth

Directions:

1. Pat turkey breast dry and loosen skin from meat. Rub oil underneath skin and on surface. Combine seasonings and rub all over breast under and on skin.

2. Place breast skin-side up on roasting rack in pan. Add broth to bottom of pan.

3. Roast covered at 350°F for about 1 hour 15 minutes. Uncover and roast 30 minutes more until skin is browned and breast reaches 160°F.

4. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with pan juices.

The Takeaway

Covering your turkey breast while roasting delivers juicy, tender meat, while uncovering at the end crisps up the skin. For the best results, cover loosely with foil for the first 2/3 of cook time, then uncover and increase temperature for the remainder. With these simple tricks, you’ll have perfectly roasted turkey breast for any occasion.