How Long To Cook A 5 Lb Turkey Breast To Juicy, Tender Perfection

Cooking the perfect turkey breast that is moist, juicy, and flavorful can seem daunting. With the right technique though, it’s easier than you think. If you’re wondering how long to cook a 5 lb turkey breast, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to roast a tasty 5 lb turkey breast.

Why Roast A Turkey Breast?

Roasting a whole turkey is traditional for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, cooking a whole bird is time consuming, and often provides way more meat than a small gathering needs.

This is why roasting just a turkey breast is a great option. Turkey breast alone provides plenty of meat for a family meal, without all the hassle of maneuvering a 15+ lb turkey.

Turkey breast also cooks much faster than a whole turkey. The preparation and cook time is minimal, making it an easy weeknight dinner option.

How Long To Cook A 5 Lb Turkey Breast

The general rule of thumb for cooking turkey is to allow 15-20 minutes of cook time per pound

For a bone-in, skin-on 5 lb turkey breast, the cook time will be approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes.

Here are more specifics

• Preheat oven to 375°F
• Place turkey breast skin side up in a baking dish or roasting pan
• Roast at 375°F for about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes
• Turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F

The best way to accurately test doneness is by using a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the breast, making sure it’s not touching any bones. Resting the turkey for at least 15 minutes before slicing also allows the juices to redistribute for maximum moisture.

Seasoning A Turkey Breast

Plain roasted turkey can be bland and dry. That’s why it’s important to season the turkey breast properly to add flavor and help retain moisture.

There are a few easy seasoning methods for turkey breast:

Herb Butter – Combine softened butter with chopped fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage. Gently loosen the skin from the meat and rub some herb butter underneath. Spread the remaining herb butter over top.

Dry Rub – Make a spice rub with dried herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub it under and on top of the skin.

Brine – Soak the turkey breast overnight in a saltwater brine spiced with things like brown sugar, citrus, and warm spices. Rinse and pat dry before roasting.

Marinade – Marinate the turkey in an acidic mixture like lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, and garlic. This tenderizes the meat.

Roasting Pan Options

You can roast a turkey breast in any oven-safe pan that fits it snugly and has at least 2-inch high sides. Here are some good options:

• Roasting pan with rack – Standard for roasting turkey and chicken. The rack elevates the turkey over the pan drippings.

• Broiler pan – Similar setup to a roasting pan with a rack and bottom pan to catch drippings.

• Rimmed baking sheet – No rack needed since the turkey sits directly on the sheet. Can contain drippings.

• 9×13 baking dish – Provides more snug fit for smaller breasts than a large roasting pan.

Basting While Roasting

Basting means spooning over or brushing pan drippings on the turkey as it roasts. This adds moisture and flavor. However, opening the oven repeatedly lets heat escape.

For a 5 lb breast, you likely don’t need to baste if you don’t want to. The cook time is short enough that the turkey stays nice and moist.

If basting, do it just every 30 minutes or so. Tent foil over the breast between bastings to trap in heat.

Let It Rest

As soon as the turkey breast reaches 165°F, remove it from the oven. The temperature will continue rising as it rests.

Resting for at least 15-30 minutes allows the juices to redistribute through the meat. Skipping this step means you’ll lose a lot of juices when carving.

Tent loosely with foil while resting so the turkey doesn’t cool too quickly. The meat will stay hot and steam will help keep it moist.

Carving And Serving

Once rested, place the turkey breast on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice across the grain of the meat, making thin slices.

Arrange the carved turkey on a platter and spoon over any pan juices. Serve it up with classic Thanksgiving favorites, or along side fresh vegetables for an easy dinner.

Alternate Cooking Methods

Beyond roasting in the oven, there are other ways to cook a turkey breast:

• Grill – Get nice char marks by grilling over indirect heat. Provides smoky flavor.

• Smoke – Slow cook the breast with wood chips in a smoker for richest flavor.

• Sous vide – Cook in a water bath for ultimate moistness before searing.

• Instant Pot – Cooks turkey breast quickly in a pressure cooker.

Get The Perfect Turkey Every Time

Follow this handy guide for roasting a juicy, delicious 5 lb turkey breast:

• Thaw completely if frozen

• Preheat oven to 375°F

• Season under and on the skin

• Roast approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes

• Check temperature to reach 165°F

• Let rest at least 15 minutes before slicing

With minimal effort, you’ll enjoy tasty, tender turkey breast any night of the week. Impress your family at holiday meals too with your perfect roasting skills. Ditch the whole turkey and appreciate how easy cooking just the breast can be.