How Long To Cook An 8 Lb Turkey Breast – A Detailed Guide

Cooking the perfect turkey breast for your holiday meal can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With some simple tips and techniques, you can roast a juicy, flavorful 8 lb turkey breast with confidence. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to nail cooking times for an 8 lb turkey breast.

Overview of Cooking Times

An approximate roasting time for an 8 lb bone-in, skin-on turkey breast is 2.5 – 3 hours. However cooking times can vary based on a few factors

• Bone-in vs boneless – Bone-in turkey breasts take longer to cook than boneless, Plan on adding up to 30 minutes to the cook time for bone-in

• Brined vs unbrined – Brining helps keep turkey moist, but adds saltiness Brined turkey cooks slightly faster

• Cooking method – The oven temperature and whether you use a roasting pan vs baking dish affects time.

• Shape and thickness – Thicker sections take longer. Shallow breasts cook faster than those that are more rounded and plump.

• Temperature – Always cook turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Because so many factors impact cook time, it’s important to use a meat thermometer and test for doneness rather than relying solely on recommended roasting times.

Step-By-Step Cooking Method

Follow these simple steps for perfect turkey breast every time:

1. Prepare the Turkey

• Thaw frozen turkey breast completely, which can take 2-3 days in the refrigerator depending on size.

• Rinse turkey and pat dry with paper towels.

• Leave turkey breast whole for even cooking.

• Tuck wing tips under to prevent burning.

2. Season the Turkey

• Loosen skin from meat and rub herb butter or seasoning under skin.

• Rub skin with oil or butter and season the outside with salt, pepper, and other spices.

3. Preheat Oven and Roast

• Preheat oven to 350°F.

• Place turkey breast skin-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Add 1 cup broth or wine to the bottom of the pan for moisture.

• Roast for approx. 2 hours, or until internal temp reaches 165°F when thermometer is inserted deep into the thickest part.

4. Let Turkey Rest

• When turkey reaches 165°F, remove it from the oven and tent loosely with foil.

• Let rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. The internal temperature will rise 5-10 degrees during this time for juicy meat.

How to Tell If Turkey Is Done

Using a meat thermometer is the only sure way to confirm your turkey breast is fully cooked. Insert the thermometer deep into the thickest part of the breast, without touching any bones. Safe minimum internal temperatures are:

• 165°F for whole turkey and breasts
• 175°F for dark meat like turkey legs and thighs

Signs your turkey breast may be done when thermometer is not available:

• Clear juices run from meat when pierced with a fork

• Thigh meat moves easily when jiggled

• Drumsticks twist loosely in sockets

• Meat pulls away easily from bones

Common Turkey Roasting Mistakes

It’s easy to dry out turkey or over/undercook it if you’re not careful. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Not thawing completely – Always thaw turkey in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking.

• Overstuffing cavity – This can cause uneven cooking. Cook stuffing separately.

• Basting too early – Don’t baste until the last 45 minutes to avoid slowing cook time.

• Roasting with foil on entire time – Remove foil for the last 30-60 minutes for crispy skin.

• Cooking on too high heat – Use 325-375°F for balanced roasting.

• Not letting turkey rest – Juices redistribute during resting for moist meat. Don’t skip this step!

Tips for the Best, Juiciest Turkey Breast

Follow these tips for a flavorful, foolproof turkey breast:

• Brine turkey in saltwater for 12-24 hrs before roasting. This infuses moisture and seasoning.

• Rub butter or oil under and on top of skin for crispy browned turkey skin.

• Roast turkey on a rack in a pan to allow air circulation for even cooking.

• Maintain a steady oven temp. Open oven door as little as possible.

• Use broth, wine or fruit juices in the roasting pan to baste turkey and prevent drying out.

• Let turkey rest before slicing for the juiciest meat.

Alternatives to Roasting a Whole Turkey Breast

If an 8 lb whole turkey breast is too large for your gathering, consider these options:

• Roast just one side of the breast (4-5 lbs)

• Roast 2 boneless turkey breast fillets (3-4 lbs total)

• Cook turkey breast in an Instant Pot or slow cooker

• Grill or smoke boneless turkey breast steaks/fillets

• Purchase a pre-cooked or spiral sliced turkey breast

• Make turkey breast roulade – rolled and stuffed breast

Perfect Pairings and Side Dishes

An 8 lb roasted turkey breast will feed about 12 hungry guests. Here are some classic holiday sides to consider:

• Fluffy mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes

• Bread stuffing or dressing

• Cranberry sauce

• Roasted autumn vegetables like squash, Brussels sprouts, carrots

• Classic green bean casserole

• Warm rolls or biscuits

• Cornbread, pecans or cornbread dressing

• Fall salad with pomegranate seeds and maple vinaigrette

With these handy tips for roasting times, techniques and temperature, you’ll be ready to perfectly roast an 8 lb turkey breast for your next festive meal. Monitor temperature, allow ample resting time, and pair with favorite fixings for a holiday dinner to remember.