How to Bake a Juicy and Tender Half Turkey Breast

Baking a half turkey breast is an easy way to enjoy delicious and moist turkey meat without having to roast a whole bird. A half breast is the perfect amount for a small gathering or to have tasty turkey leftovers without lots of waste. With just a few simple steps, you can have tender, juicy turkey breast ready for amazing meals all week long.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 half bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (2-4 lbs)
Herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage (fresh or dried)
Salt and pepper
Olive oil or butter
Optional: orange, carrots, chicken broth or wine

Prep the Turkey Breast

Rinse the turkey breast and pat it dry with paper towels. Leaving it damp can prevent rubs and seasonings from sticking.
Mix together chopped fresh herbs or dried herbs with salt, pepper and olive oil or butter to make a paste. Rosemary, thyme and sage are especially tasty.
Gently loosen the skin from the breast meat and rub the herb paste directly onto the meat underneath.
Optional: Place thin slices of orange or lemon under the skin for extra moisture and flavor.

Support and Roast the Turkey Breast

Place the seasoned breast on top of 2-3 carrots or in a roasting rack to elevate it off the pan surface. This allows air circulation for even cooking.
Pour a little chicken broth or wine in the bottom of the pan to keep the turkey moist.
Roast at 325°F for approximately 1-1.5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Baste occasionally with pan juices.
For a brown, crispy skin, rub the skin with butter or oil before roasting. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
Let rest 10 minutes before slicing for juicy meat.

Turkey Breast Roasting Tips

Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Check after an hour of roasting.
Tent the breast with foil to prevent over-browning if needed. Watch closely in the last 30 minutes.
For even cooking, choose a half breast of uniform thickness. Avoid large thick and thin end pieces.
Roasting time can vary based on size. Plan for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound A 3 lb breast may cook in 1 hour

Make an Herb Rub for Added Flavor

In a small bowl, combine:

1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary or 2 tsp dried
1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme or sage or 2 tsp dried
Zest from 1 lemon or orange
2-3 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil or melted butter

Mix the herb rub well and generously coat the turkey breast underneath the skin. The rub adds so much extra flavor to the mild turkey meat.

How to Use Leftover Turkey Breast Meat

Leftover roasted turkey breast provides tasty meat for several easy meals all week long.

Slice it up to make sandwiches or wraps with cranberry sauce and lettuce. Add mayo, mustard or hummus.
Dice or shred the turkey to toss into salads, soups, casseroles, pastas, omelets and more.
Make turkey tetrazzini or enchiladas by mixing shredded turkey with sauce and noodles or tortillas. Top with cheese.
Cut turkey into chunks to make turkey chili or turkey noodle soup.
Use larger pieces of turkey breast for quick skillet meals. Cook with vegetables and make tacos or stir frys.

With a little planning, one roasted half turkey breast can give you almost a week’s worth of easy leftover meals. Let the possibilities inspire you!

So try baking a juicy half turkey breast next time you need an easy protein to feed a crowd or to have tasty leftovers on hand. With just a simple herb rub, carrots for support and a hot oven, you’ll have beautiful, delicious turkey breast for amazing meals all week long.

how to bake a half turkey breast

Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

FAQ

Is it better to cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350?

For the best roast turkey breast, roast at 325℉. You’ll get juicy meat and crispy skin with an incredible flavor. If you need to cook it a little faster, you can raise the temp to 350 degrees and cook for about 15-18 minutes per pound.

Should a turkey breast be cooked, covered or uncovered?

Cover the turkey to prevent over-browning. If the skin over the breast meat begins to brown too darkly toward the end of cooking, cover it with aluminum foil to prevent scorching.

Do you cover turkey breast with foil when baking?

So, yes, you do want to cover the turkey with foil to give it a chance to roast without getting dry. But then, towards the end of the cook time, remove the foil so the skin—the best part in this writer’s opinion—gets a chance to crisp up.

Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey breast?

“Often, consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey.”

How do you cook a half turkey breast in the oven?

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Approximately 30 minutes before the half turkey breast recipe goes in the oven, place the turkey skin-side up in an appropriately-sized roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. Leave it out at room temperature.

How do you cook a 3 pound turkey breast?

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place a 3 to 8 pound turkey breast skin side up on the rack of a roasting pan, or into a lightly greased 9×13 pan.

What temperature should a half turkey breast be cooked at?

The oven temperature plays a critical role in achieving a perfectly cooked half turkey breast. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) for a balance of cooking time and browning the exterior. Lower temperatures can result in excessively long cooking times, while higher temperatures may lead to uneven cooking and drying out the meat.

How do you cook a juiciest turkey breast?

To get that nice crispy skin at the end, we will increase the oven temperature to quickly caramelize the skin. The trick to achieve the juiciest turkey breast is to cook the meat to an internal temperature of 160 F inside the oven (the internal temperature will continue to rise with residual heat).