How Long to Cook a 3 lb Boneless Turkey Breast for a Perfectly Juicy Roast

Cooking a boneless turkey breast seems easy enough, but getting it just right can be tricky. Undercook it and you’ll have a tough, rubbery breast with locked in moisture. But overdo it, and you’ll end up with dry, stringy meat. So how long should you cook a boneless turkey breast to achieve that elusive balance of moist and tender? Let’s break it down.

Choosing the Right Cut

For the best results when roasting look for a whole boneless skin-on breast half, ideally around 2.5 to 3 lbs. Unlike sliced deli meat, this cut will hold its shape nicely when cooked. Skin-on is crucial for added moisture and flavor. Boneless also cooks more quickly and evenly than bone-in.

Prep Work

Always thoroughly thaw frozen breast in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking. Rinse the breast pat dry, and trim off any excess fat or skin flaps.

Trussing for Even Cooking

Next, you’ll want to tie the breast into a neat cylindrical shape. Trussing promotes even cooking and gives you nicely sliced medallions when carved. Simply tuck the wings under and tie kitchen string or butcher’s twine around the breast lengthwise and crosswise.

Seasoning is Key

For incredible flavor, do not skip seasoning! Gently loosen the skin from the meat and rub the meat side with olive oil or butter. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and any herbs or spices you like. Stuff aromatics like garlic and herbs under the skin.

Sear for Added Flavor

For next-level flavor, brown the breast well on all sides in a hot pan before roasting. This caramelization adds rich depth and ensures a beautiful golden exterior.

Roast Uncovered at 350°F

Now we’re ready to roast. Place breast skin-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Cook uncovered at 350°F to allow smoke and moisture to escape versus steaming the meat.

How Long to Roast a 3 Pound Breast?

The general rule of thumb is 15-20 minutes per pound. For a 3 pound boneless, stuffed breast, roasted uncovered at 350°F, total cook time will be:

• 3 lbs x 20 minutes per lb = 60 minutes

So expect approximately 1 hour in the oven until the internal temp reaches 160°F.

Let It Rest

This last step is crucial! Once cooked, tent the breast with foil and let rest 15 minutes. Residual heat will raise the internal temp to 165°F for safe consumption. And resting allows juices to reabsorb so you have a moist, tender roast.

Carve and Enjoy!

Time to dig in! Perfectly cooked turkey breast should be juicy and tender with great seasoning flavor. Carve into slices across the grain. Serve with gravy and sides for a holiday-worthy meal.

Don’t Forget Leftovers!

Leftover turkey breast makes excellent sandwiches, salads, casseroles and more. Store sliced breast in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days. Freeze extras up to 4 months for later use.