How to Cook a Juicy, Flavorful Butterball Boneless Turkey Breast

As Thanksgiving approaches, many home cooks start thinking about preparing the perfect turkey dinner. For those looking for a smaller simpler alternative to wrestling a massive whole bird, Butterball boneless turkey breasts are a fantastic option. With Butterball’s convenient boneless turkey breasts you can skip the hassle of thawing, prepping and carving a whole turkey, while still enjoying juicy, delicious white meat.

If you’re wondering how to cook up the perfect Butterball boneless turkey breast for your holiday table or family dinner this simple step-by-step guide will walk you through the foolproof process. With a few basic ingredients and cooking techniques, your boneless turkey breast will turn out tender and bursting with flavor every time.

Benefits of Cooking Boneless Turkey Breasts

Butterball boneless turkey breasts offer several advantages over cooking a whole turkey

• Smaller size: Boneless turkey breasts range from 2.5 to 7 pounds, making them quicker and easier to prepare than a 15+ pound whole turkey. The compact size also allows the meat to cook more evenly.

• More white meat: Turkey breasts contain 100% lean, juicy white meat, with no wings or thighs attached. This makes them ideal for fans of turkey’s delicate flavor.

• Less wasteful: With no bones, giblets or neck to discard, you get more edible turkey per pound. Leftovers are easy to slice for sandwiches too.

• Shorter cook time: A boneless breast roasts much faster than a whole turkey, usually around 1-2 hours depending on size.

• Simpler prep: No tedious removing the giblets and neck, trussing or flipping a whole bird. Just season and roast for perfect results.

• Minimal cleanup: Boneless breasts generate far less mess in the kitchen than a whole bird. Quick cleanup lets you relax and enjoy more time with guests.

With so many perks, it’s easy to see why cooking boneless turkey breasts is a great alternative for smaller gatherings. Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of how to cook Butterball boneless turkey breasts for optimal flavor.

Picking the Right Size Butterball Boneless Turkey Breast

Boneless turkey breasts are available in a range of sizes from 2.5 to 9 pounds. Here are some tips on picking the right size turkey breast for your needs:

• For 2-4 people, choose a 2.5-3 pound breast
• For 4-6 people, select a 4-5 pound breast
• For 6-8 people, opt for a 6-7 pound breast
• For 8-10 people, choose a 7-9 pound breast

In general, plan on about 1/2 pound of turkey per person. Leftover turkey also makes excellent sandwiches, casseroles, soups and other dishes.

Thawing Boneless Turkey Breasts

For the juiciest results, Butterball recommends thawing frozen boneless turkey breasts before cooking. Here are some thawing guidelines:

• Refrigerator: Keep the turkey breast in its original packaging and place in a rimmed dish to catch any drips. Allow 24 hours of thawing time per 1 pound of turkey.

• Cold Water: Submerge the turkey, still in its sealed packaging, in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Estimate 30 minutes per 1 pound of turkey for thawing.

• Microwave: This method can lead to uneven cooking, so it’s not recommended. If you do microwave, follow all appliance directions carefully.

Never thaw turkey at room temperature, which can cause bacterial growth. For quicker thawing, you can ask your butcher for a fresh, unfrozen breast.

Seasoning Your Boneless Turkey Breast

One of the joys of cooking boneless turkey breasts is getting creative with flavors. Turkey takes well to all kinds of herbs, spices, citrus and more. Here are some easy seasoning ideas:

• Salt, pepper and poultry seasoning: This classic trio infuses turkey with savory flavor. Amp up the flavor with garlic powder or onion powder too.

• Herb butter: Compound butters made with rosemary, thyme, sage or other herbs spread nicely under the breast skin.

• Citrus and herbs: Lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit pair fantastically with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage.

• Spice rubs: Dry rubs with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic, cayenne and brown sugar add bold flavor.

• Apple and maple: For a fall flavor, apples, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg are perfect.

Get creative with your own signature seasoning blends to make your holiday turkey extra special. A simple dry brine of salt applied the day before helps keep the meat moist too.

Roasting Your Seasoned Boneless Turkey Breast

Once your boneless turkey breast is seasoned, it’s time to pop it in the oven. This simple roasting method results in tender, juicy meat every time.

What You’ll Need:

• Boneless, thawed turkey breast (2.5-7 pounds)
• Olive oil or melted butter
• Seasoning of choice
• Roasting pan
• Rack
• Meat thermometer

Steps for Roasting:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.

2. Pat turkey breast dry with paper towels. Rub all over with olive oil or melted butter.

3. Generously season the breast with desired herbs, spices, salt, pepper, etc. You can even place herb butter under the skin.

4. Place seasoned breast on a roasting rack in a pan. Insert meat thermometer into thickest part without touching bone.

5. Roast turkey breast for about 15-20 minutes per pound, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

6. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing into juicy turkey perfection!

The exact roasting time depends on the size of your boneless breast. Estimate 15-20 minutes per pound for tender, succulent meat.

Expert Tips for Maximizing Flavor

Follow these expert tips for incredibly moist, delicious homemade turkey:

• Truss it: Trussing brings the sides in for more even cooking. Use kitchen string or silicone trussing bands.

• Add liquid: Pour a little turkey stock, wine or apple cider in the bottom of the pan to keep the meat from drying out.

• Baste it: Brush with melted butter, olive oil or turkey drippings every 30 minutes while roasting.

• Cook to proper temperature: Cook to an internal temp of 165°F for safety and ideal juiciness.

• Let it rest: Allowing the cooked breast to rest for 15 minutes before carving allows juices to redistribute.

• Spatchcock it: Removing the breastbone and flattening the meat helps it cook quicker and more evenly.

With these handy tips, your boneless turkey breast will turn out perfectly cooked with mouthwatering flavor every time.

Serving Your Succulent Turkey Breast

Once rested, your Butterball boneless turkey breast is ready to carve into slices or chunks to serve. Here are some tasty ways to serve up your savory, homemade turkey:

• Pile slices on a platter with traditional turkey dinner sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, roasted veggies and gravy.

• Layer on sandwiches with cranberry sauce, lettuce, bacon and cheese.

• Dice to top entree salads, tacos, nachos, pizza and casseroles.

• Shred for turkey chili, pot pie, soup, turkey tetrazzini and other dishes.

• Enjoy as-is, straight from the refrigerator for a quick protein packed snack or meal.

Get creative with using every last morsel of your delicious roasted turkey breast. The possibilities are endless!

Troubleshooting Common Turkey Breast Problems

Follow these tips if any issues pop up with your boneless turkey breast:

• Undercooked: Cook longer, watching temps closely and covering with foil if browning too fast. Breasts should reach 165°F.

• Overcooked/dry: Don’t cook past 170°F and tent with foil if browning too quickly. Letting rest properly before slicing also helps.

• Uneven cooking: Opt for a smaller breast around 3 pounds, truss it and rotate the pan while cooking. Spatchcocking also helps.

• Not juicy: Brine breast beforehand, baste while cooking, roast at lower temp (325°F), and always let rest before slicing.

• Skin too dark: Use a lower temp like 325°F and tent with foil when the skin browns to your liking.

• Not flavorful: Brine, marinate or rub the breast with bold seasonings for more flavor. Basting while cooking also enhances the taste.

With proper thawing, seasoning, temperature control and resting, you’ll achieve tender, juicy results every time.

Get Excited to Roast Your Boneless Turkey Breast!

Cooking up the perfect Butterball boneless turkey breast is much simpler than tack