Can You Buy Just a Turkey Breast? Everything You Need to Know

For many people, turkey is a staple for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. However you may find yourself wanting to enjoy delicious turkey breast at other times of the year as well. This raises the question – can you buy just a turkey breast? Or do you need to purchase a whole turkey?

The good news is that yes, you can absolutely buy just a turkey breast! There are a few different options for getting your hands on this lean, versatile protein. Keep reading to learn all about buying individual turkey breasts.

Why Buy Just the Breast?

There are several advantages to purchasing turkey breast on its own:

• Convenience – Cooking a whole turkey is time consuming. Having just the breast is quicker and easier, especially for smaller gatherings.

• Less waste – A whole turkey provides a lot of meat, which often leads to leftovers and waste. A single breast provides a reasonable portion for most families.

• More affordable – Individual turkey breasts cost less per pound than a whole turkey. You save money while still enjoying delicious white meat.

• Lean protein – Turkey breast is packed with protein yet lower in fat and calories than dark meat. It’s a healthy choice for frequent meals.

• Versatility – From sandwiches to salads, casseroles, soups, and more, turkey breast can be used in all kinds of recipes beyond just holiday meals.

Where to Buy Turkey Breast

You have several options when looking to purchase just a turkey breast:

• Grocery store meat department – Fresh and frozen turkey breasts are commonly stocked. Make sure to check the sell-by date for freshness.

• Butcher shop or meat market – Ask your local butcher for turkey breast cuts. They may even be able to custom slice for you.

• Online retailers – Numerous online stores sell individual turkey breasts. Search for “turkey breast” on sites like Amazon, Walmart, FreshDirect, etc.

• Direct from a turkey farm – Some local turkey farms will sell individual breast meat. Check their websites or give them a call.

• From a turkey processor – Major turkey processors like Butterball sell packaged turkey breasts online and in most supermarkets.

Types of Turkey Breast Cuts

There are a few different cuts and forms that turkey breasts come in:

• Whole bone-in breast – This includes the entire breast portion with ribs and bones intact. It looks like a miniature whole turkey.

• Boneless breast roast – The breast meat is removed from the bone and kept whole. This is sometimes tied into a round or oblong shape.

• Boneless, skinless breast cutlets – These are sliced cross-sections of boneless breast, perfect for quick cooking.

• Ground turkey breast – Breast meat that is ground or minced for usage in recipes that call for ground meat.

Consider what you’ll be using the turkey for when deciding which cut to buy. Whole breasts or roasts are great for roasting or smoking. Cutlets work well for sautéing or grilling. Ground turkey breast substitutes easily for ground beef or chicken.

How Much Turkey Breast to Buy

Turkey breasts range in size from around 1-3 pounds or more. Here are some general Butterball turkey breast guidelines per person:

• Bone-in whole breast – 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 pound per person
• Boneless roast – 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound per person
• Cutlets – 3 to 4 ounces per person
• Ground turkey – 3 to 4 ounces per person in a recipe

For a family of 4, a 2 pound boneless roast or package of cutlets is usually sufficient for a single meal. Adjust amounts depending on your turkey recipes and the number of people eating. Having leftovers isn’t a bad thing either!

Preparing and Cooking Turkey Breast

Preparing a turkey breast is simple. Rinse it, pat dry, trim off excess skin or fat if desired, and coat with oil or rub on seasoning.

Turkey breast can be cooked in almost any way you’d cook chicken breast. Popular cooking methods include:

• Roasted in the oven
• Grilled or smoked on a barbecue
• Sautéed in a pan on the stovetop
• Simmered in soups, stews, and chilies

Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Get creative with flavor profiles by using various herbs, spices, marinades, and glazes.

Is Buying Turkey Breast Worth It?

At the end of the day, is it worth buying an individual turkey breast? For most people, the answer is a resounding yes!

The convenience, versatility, and cost savings of purchasing just the turkey breast you need are massive benefits. You can skip the hassle of bigger birds and enjoy premium white turkey meat anytime.

So go ahead and throw a turkey breast in your shopping cart next grocery trip. With so many cooking options, you may find it becomes a new staple in your kitchen’s protein lineup.

To summarize:

• It is absolutely possible to buy only a turkey breast, without purchasing a whole turkey.

• Advantages include convenience, less waste, lower cost, added nutrition, and versatility.

• Turkey breasts can be purchased fresh or frozen at grocers, butcher shops, online stores, direct from turkey farms, and major turkey processors like Butterball.

• Cuts include whole bone-in breasts, boneless roasts, cutlets, and ground turkey breast. Buy 1/3 to 3/4 pound per person.

• Cook turkey breasts using methods like roasting, grilling, sautéing, or simmering in soups and stews. They are very versatile.

• Overall, buying an individual turkey breast is an excellent choice for many home cooks. Enjoy the delicious white meat anytime without leftovers or waste!