How Long Per Pound to Cook a Turkey Breast for Juicy, Tender Meat

Cooking a perfect turkey breast that’s juicy and tender can seem daunting, but it’s easier than you think if you follow some simple guidelines. The most important factor is knowing how long to cook the turkey breast per pound. Follow this timing and temperature guide to get mouthwateringly moist turkey every time.

How Many Minutes Per Pound to Cook a Turkey Breast?

The general rule of thumb is to roast a turkey breast for 18-25 minutes per pound at 350°F. The timing can vary a bit depending on a few factors:

• Bone-in vs boneless – A bone-in turkey breast will take a little longer than boneless since the bone continues to radiate heat and cook the meat even after it’s out of the oven. Add about 5 extra minutes per pound for bone-in.

• Temperature – Cooking at a lower temperature like 325°F will make the roasting time longer, while upping the heat to 375°F will decrease the cook time. See the chart below for adjusted times.

• Size – Smaller breasts under 5 lbs or large ones over 8 lbs may need slight adjustments in time as well Check for doneness early.

• Brined or unbrined – Brining adds moisture and seasoning It can extend the cook time slightly since there’s more liquid in the meat,

Follow this handy roasting time chart for boneless turkey breasts:

For bone-in, simply add about 5 minutes per pound to the times above. Monitor with a meat thermometer and adjust cook time as needed.

What is the Best Internal Temp for Turkey Breast?

The safest minimum internal temperature for turkey is 165°F. Aim to remove it right when it hits 165°F to prevent overcooking.

The breast meat should look pale pink and juicy throughout when sliced, with no traces of red or pink near the bone. If you see any undercooked spots, pop it back in for a few more minutes until the temperature reads 165°F in multiple spots.

Turkey Breast Cooking Tips for Moist, Delicious Results

Follow these simple tips for foolproof roast turkey breast every time:

• Leave the skin on – It helps seal in moisture and adds crispy texture. Rub it with oil or butter before roasting.

• Use a meat thermometer – It’s the only way to accurately determine doneness. Instant-read or leave-in probes work great.

• Roast at 350°F – This temp evenly cooks the breast without drying it out.

• Roast it breast-side up – This allows the skin to crisp and brown. Tent with foil if it browns too fast.

• Baste frequently – Spoon pan juices over the breast to add moisture and flavor.

• Let it rest 10 minutes – Resting allows juices to reabsorb for a juicier texture.

• Slice against the grain – Cutting across the muscle fibers makes it more tender.

How Long Does a Frozen Turkey Breast Take to Cook?

For best results, thaw turkey breast in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking. But if you’re short on time, a frozen breast just needs some extra roasting time.

Remove any giblets and neck from the cavity. Place breast-side down in a roasting pan and add 1 cup broth or water. Cover tightly with foil. Roast at 350°F for about 1 hour per pound, then flip and roast breast-side up until it reaches 165°F internally.

The boneless 5 lb breast will take around 5-6 hours total from frozen. A bone-in breast may need up to 7 hours. Check temperature early and continue roasting if needed until fully cooked through.

The skin may not crisp up as nicely when roasted frozen, but the meat will still be deliciously moist and tender.

Foil-Wrapped Turkey Breast Packets

For an even easier prep, you can roast bone-in or boneless turkey breast portions wrapped up in foil packets. Simply place 4-6 oz seasoned turkey portions on a foil-lined sheet pan.

Wrap the turkey tightly in the foil and seal the packets. Roast at 375°F for 30-40 minutes until cooked through. The turkey steams in its own juices for incredibly tender, fuss-free results.

Crockpot Turkey Breast

A crockpot or slow cooker is another hands-off way to cook turkey breast. Place a 5-6 lb boneless breast in the crockpot and add 1 cup broth or water.

Cook on low for 7-8 hours until very tender and it shreds easily. Remove the meat, then turn the slow cooker to high and reduce the juices to make an easy gravy.

Grilled Turkey Breast

You can also grill a boneless turkey breast for a smoky, flavorsome twist. Prepare a hot grill for indirect cooking.

Season the breast all over and place it skin-side up on the cooler side of the grill. Cover and grill over medium heat for 25-30 minutes per pound, until it reaches 165°F internally.

Grilling gives the turkey breast a lovely char while keeping it incredibly juicy. Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

An air fryer cooks turkey breast quickly with crispy skin and tender meat. Cut the breast into 2-inch chunks, coat in oil and seasonings.

Cook at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping once, until cooked through. Air fryer turkey breast is perfect for easy weeknight meals.

Sous Vide Turkey Breast

For the ultimate in tender and juicy turkey breast, try sous vide cooking. Season a boneless breast and vacuum seal it in a sous vide bag.

Cook in a water bath at 145°F for 2-4 hours depending on thickness. Then remove and sear the exterior to crisp the skin.

Should You Brine a Turkey Breast?

While brining isn’t mandatory, it does pump extra moisture and flavor into the meat that you can’t get from just roasting alone. Make a simple brine with salt, sugar, and aromatics.

Submerge the raw breast in the brine for 8-12 hours or up to 24 hours for maximum impact. Rinse off the brine, pat dry, and roast as usual for remarkably seasoned, juicy meat.

Easy Turkey Gravy from the Pan Drippings

Don’t discard those flavorful pan drippings after roasting your turkey breast! Simmer them with flour and broth to make the easiest, richest gravy ever.

First, remove the breast and tent to keep warm. Pour the drippings into a skillet, leaving any browned bits in the pan.

Whisk in 2 Tbsp flour until smooth. Cook 1 minute then gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth. Simmer until thickened. Season to taste with salt, pepper, herbs, or giblet stock for amazing gravy.

In Summary

Now that you know how long per pound to roast a turkey breast at 350°F, you can look forward to juicy, perfectly cooked turkey any night of the week. Follow the timing guide based on weight and use a meat thermometer for best results.

With these simple turkey breast roasting tips, your meat will turn out tender and full of flavor whether baked, grilled, or cooked in the slow cooker or air fryer. Enjoy crispy skin, delicious gravy, and incredibly moist turkey breast every time.