do you cook turkey breast with netting

Do You Cook Turkey Breast with Netting On – A Complete Guide

Cooking a juicy and flavorful turkey breast can seem intimidating for many home cooks. One common question is – should you leave the netting on or take it off before roasting? In this article, we’ll provide a complete guide to cooking turkey breast with netting, including whether to keep it on or remove it, how to prepare the turkey breast, seasoning and roasting tips, and some delicious recipes to try.

What is Netting on Turkey Breast?

Netting is a thin mesh wrapping that is often used by butchers and grocers to hold the shape of boneless turkey breasts. It helps the turkey breast maintain its form for even cooking. The netting is made from cotton, nylon, or elastic material. It is wrapped around the boneless breast and then knotted at the ends to secure it in place.

Should You Remove Netting Before Cooking Turkey Breast?

This is a common question many home cooks have when preparing a boneless turkey breast. The short answer is – you can cook it either way. Here are the pros and cons of leaving the netting on or taking it off:

Pros of Leaving Netting On

• Helps the breast hold its shape and cook evenly
• Prevents the breast from falling apart
• Lets seasoning permeate through netting
• Easier to slice when cooked
• Maintains moisture

Cons of Leaving Netting On:

• Netting may leave marks on the breast
• Seasoning flavors can’t directly touch meat
• Slicing is harder with netting
• Moisture can get trapped

Pros of Removing Netting

• Seasoning makes direct contact with meat
• Turkey browns more evenly
• Easy to slice meat after cooking
• Excess moisture can evaporate

Cons of Removing Netting:

• Breast may fall apart while cooking
• Can dry out without netting
• Hard to handle breast after cooking
• Shape may distort while cooking

Overall, it’s a personal preference whether to keep the netting on or remove it. Many home cooks prefer to keep it on for ease of handling. If keeping it on, be sure to loosen the netting so seasoning can permeate and steam can escape.

How to Prepare Turkey Breast for Roasting

Follow these simple steps for preparing a boneless turkey breast for oven roasting:

1. Thaw breast if frozen – thaw 24 hours in fridge or 2-3 hours in cold water.

2. Remove giblets and gravy packets if included – discard or use for gravy.

3. Rinse turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

4. Loosen netting – use kitchen shears to cut and loosen netting so seasoning can get through and steam can escape.

5. Trim any excess fat – use a sharp knife to trim off any large pieces of fat.

6. Apply dry rub – generously season under and on top of breast with spices of choice (salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary etc).

7. Prepare roasting pan – place rack in pan lined with foil for easy cleanup.

Your turkey breast is now ready for roasting!

Delicious Turkey Breast Dry Rub Recipes

Spice up your turkey breast with flavorful herb and spice rubs. Here are some tasty dry rub recipes to try:

1. Lemon Herb Rub

• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp dried rosemary
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Chili Spice Rub

• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Brown Sugar and Maple Rub

• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground mustard
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Roast Turkey Breast – Tips for Moist and Juicy Meat

Roasting a turkey breast requires more finesse than simply popping it in the oven. Follow these tips for a moist and juicy roasted breast:

• Roast at 325°F – this lower temp prevents drying out.

• Use a meat thermometer – cook to 165°F internally.

• Baste frequently – every 30 mins, coat with pan juices or broth.

• Tent with foil at end – prevents over-browning.

• Let rest 15 mins – allows juices to redistribute.

• Slice against the grain – prevents shredding of meat.

With the right prep and cooking technique, you can enjoy a tender, delicious turkey breast roast.

Delicious Turkey Breast Recipes to Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic roasted turkey breast, try one of these flavorful recipes:

1. Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Gravy

Ingredients:

• 3 lb turkey breast, netted
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups turkey broth

Instructions:

1. Loosen netting on breast and place in roasting pan, rub lemon juice and sprinkle rosemary, salt, and pepper all over. Add olive oil to pan.

2. Roast at 325°F for 1 1/2 hours until 165°F internal temperature, basting every 30 minutes with pan juices.

3. To make gravy – remove breast and rosemary, add flour to pan drippings and whisk. Add turkey broth and simmer until thickened. Slice breast and serve with gravy.

4. Maple Glazed Turkey Breast

Ingredients:

• 3 lb turkey breast
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare breast with netting and rub maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter and sprinkle of cayenne over top. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Roast at 325°F for 1 1/4 hours until 165°F, basting with glaze every 20 minutes.

3. Remove netting and slice glazed breast to serve.

4. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Ingredients:

• 3 lb turkey breast
• 1 packet dry onion soup mix
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Rub olive oil on breast and sprinkle dry soup mix, season with salt and pepper.

2. Place in slow cooker on low heat and add chicken broth around breast.

3. Cook on low 6-8 hours until 165°F. Remove netting, shred or slice to serve.

Conclusion

Preparing a juicy roasted turkey breast with crispy skin is easy with the right techniques. Leaving the netting on or taking it off comes down to personal preference – just be sure to season under and over the breast. Applying a bold spice rub, roasting at a lower temp, and basting frequently will result in a tender and delicious home-cooked turkey breast. From herb gravy to maple glazed, try out some new turkey breast recipes for your next meal. Enjoy the tasty results!

Frequency of Entities:
netting – 24
turkey breast – 22
seasoning – 7
roast/roasting – 7
juicy – 5
cook/cooking – 5
flavor/flavorful – 4
tender – 3
delicious – 3
moist – 3
drippings/juices – 3
baste/basting – 3