Seasoned with fresh herbs, honey, and butter, this Herbed Honey Baked Turkey Breast is juicy, flavourful, and easy to make. It’s perfect for both casual weeknight dinners and the holidays.
Do you ever crave turkey but don’t want to (or need to) cook a whole turkey? Cooking a turkey breast in the oven is a quick, easy way to get a mouthwatering, juicy turkey without making a whole turkey.
This is a recipe I use for weeknight dinners but it can also work for a small Thanksgiving dinner if you’re just serving a few people. The butter, honey, herbs, and white wine keep it juicy and tender while still giving it an incredible flavor.
Since it’s much smaller than an entire turkey, this honey-baked turkey breast requires just under an hour to bake, compared to several hours for a typical Thanksgiving turkey. I love that I can make this anytime I want without tons of forethought. Add a side or two, maybe a veggie, and dinner is served.
As a holiday cook who loves making show-stopping centerpiece dishes, honey baked turkey is one of my absolute favorites When done right, it delivers sweet, savory flavor in every juicy bite However, achieving turkey perfection requires some key techniques. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share all my secrets to making a mouthwatering honey baked turkey at home. After years of trial and error, I’ve honed a foolproof method for succulent, crave-worthy results.
Why Make Honey Baked Turkey?
Before diving in, let’s look at why honey baked turkey should be part of your holiday cooking repertoire:
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Next-level flavor The combination of savory seasoning and sweet honey glaze is downright delicious It takes turkey from bland to brilliant
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Foolproof method: Baking yields reliably juicy meat, while the glaze helps self-baste. Much easier than roasting!
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Festive dish: A whole golden turkey is the ultimate centerpiece for holiday meals and makes a impactful presentation.
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Leftover versatility: You can get creative with leftovers by making sandwiches, casseroles, soups, and more!
Picking the Perfect Turkey
Not all birds are created equal. Look for:
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12-15 lbs: Big enough for leftovers without being unwieldy.
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Minimally injected: Opt for natural over heavily brined birds for better glaze adhesion.
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Broad breast: Indicator of more white meat. Avoid narrow, stunted-looking breasts.
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Bendable wings and legs: Sign that the muscles are tender and pliable. Pass on stiff, rigid limbs.
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No stray feathers: Pick a well-plucked bird for flawless presentation.
My Step-by-Step Method for Honey Baked Bliss
Follow my simple process for honey baked perfection:
Prep the Bird
- Remove giblets, rinse cavity, and pat dry.
- Loosen skin from breast and spread flavorful butter underneath.
- Liberally coat skin all over with herb seasoning.
Cook Low and Slow
- Place turkey breast-up on a roasting rack in a pan.
- Tent top with foil and bake at 275°F for 3 hours.
Brush with Glaze
- Whisk together honey, butter, and spices for glaze.
- After 3 hours, brush turkey with glaze and bake 1 more hour.
Finish with Final Brush of Glaze
- Brush turkey with another layer of glaze.
- Bake uncovered 30-60 min until deep golden brown.
Rest and Carve
- Let turkey rest at least 30 minutes before beautiful presentation carving.
Handy Tools for Honey Baked Success
Having the right tools makes all the difference:
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Roasting rack: Elevates turkey for even cooking and easy glaze runoff.
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V-rack pan: Holds turkey upright for compact oven space. Or use large roasting pan.
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Basting brush: Helps evenly distribute glaze over skin. Silicone is best.
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Meat thermometer: Essential for monitoring doneness in thickest part of breast and thigh.
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Carving equipment: A sharp knife and meat fork simplifies presentation slicing.
My Go-To Glaze Ingredients
The glaze balances sweet and savory flavors:
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Honey: I prefer wildflower, but any will work. Dark honeys like buckwheat have bold flavor.
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Butter: Provides richness. Go for unsalted to control saltiness.
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Herbs and spices: Traditional options include rosemary, thyme, sage. Get creative!
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Mustard: Adds tang. Dijon or whole grain mustards work well.
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Citrus: Orange juice and zest brighten the glaze. Lemon juice adds brightness.
Handling Like a Pro
Confidently execute honey baked turkey with these pro tips:
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Trussing: Tying the legs together with twine compacts the shape for even cooking.
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Basting: Brush glaze all over turkey every hour for maximum flavor and moisture.
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Temping: Insert thermometer in inner thigh and thickest breast part. Aim for 165°F minimum.
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Resting: Letting the turkey sit after baking allows juices to redistribute for moist meat.
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Carving: Use a sharp knife and meat fork to carefully slice breast and legs for serving.
Common Rookie Mistakes to Avoid
Steer clear of these missteps:
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Skipping the roasting rack leading to soggy skin
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Basting too early causing glaze to burn
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Overcooking resulting in dry, stringy meat
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Carving right away so juices spill out
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Tenting with foil the entire time which softens skin
Expert Serving and Leftover Tips
Take your turkey to the next level with these suggestions:
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Let turkey rest at room temp 30-60 minutes post oven for easiest slicing
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Carefully transfer carved turkey to a platter, spooning over glaze drippings
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Refrigerate leftover turkey meat within 2 hours of coming out of the oven
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Store glazed or unglazed turkey up to 4 days refrigerated or 2-3 months frozen
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Create crazy delicious leftover recipes like pot pie, enchiladas, sandwiches, salad
Time to Feast on Sweet and Savory Perfection!
How to Make Herbed Honey Baked Turkey Breast
- The first step to creating this incredible turkey breast in the oven is to prepare the sauce. Combine the rosemary, butter, honey, white wine, quartered garlic clove, and half of the sage and thyme in a medium saucepan.
- Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes so the flavour of the herbs infuses the sauce. Remove the sprig of rosemary.
- Strain the sauce mixture through a small sieve, then add it to a meat injector. Inject 1/3 of the juice into the turkey breasts.
- Drizzle another 1/3 of the mixture on top of the turkey breasts, then season with pepper. You’ll notice salt is not on the ingredient list. Salt can draw out some of the moisture in the turkey, plus it doesn’t need it at all.
- If you don’t have an injector, don’t worry. You can just pour ½ of the mixture on the turkey breast and season with pepper.
- Place the rosemary across the top of the breast and season with the remaining sage and thyme as well.
- Place in an oven preheated to 325°F. It should take about 45 minutes depending on your oven s keep an eye on it. At about 30 minutes baste the turkey with the honey mixture and place it back in the oven. Baste it again about 5 minutes before it is ready. It is ready when the internal temperature in the meatiest section has reached a temperature of 160°F.
- When cooked to temperature, remove the turkey from the oven and tent the turkey breast with foil for 15 minutes. Serve sliced on an angle.
- My turkey seems to be browning too quickly. What should I do? If you notice the turkey browning before it’s reached the right temperature, just tent the pan with foil to let some of the heat off at the top and prevent it from burning.
- Do I need to use white wine? No, you can easily substitute it with chicken, turkey, or vegetable broth if preferred.
- Do I have to use bone-in turkey breast? No, you can use turkey breast without the bone as well. I just always prefer cooking poultry with the bone intact because it adds great additional flavour.
What to Serve With Honey Baked Turkey Breast
The great thing about turkey breast is that it’s so versatile and pairs well with pretty much any side dishes. You can go for a holiday-esque meal with sides like sweet potato crunch and cornbread stuffing. Mashed potatoes are always a great option too.
Meet The Ham Fam: Honey Baked Turkey Breast
FAQ
Is roasted or smoked HoneyBaked turkey better?
How long do you cook a Honey Baked Ham for?
How long to cook a fully cooked turkey?
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Turkey Weight
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Servings*
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Reheating Time
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10 lbs.
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8
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1 hr 20 mins – 1 hr 40 mins
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15 lbs.
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12
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2 hrs – 2.5 hrs
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20 lbs.
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16
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2.5 hrs – 3 hrs 15 mins
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25 lbs.
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20
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3 hrs 15 mins – 4 hrs 15 mins
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Is Honey Baked Ham turkey processed meat?
How do you cook a Turkey with honey?
Place turkey into a close-fitting roasting pan. Stir together honey and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until butter has melted and mixture is evenly blended. Spoon over turkey, coating entire outer surface. Allow to stand for 30 minutes, reapplying honey mixture several times. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Can you eat a honey roasted turkey?
Try our honey roasted turkey and take your taste to new heights. At HoneyBaked, we are much more than a Thanksgiving dinner option. Available oven roasted or smoked, our fully cooked, boneless turkey breasts are great as the main dish for any meal or in a buffet. They’re also great when paired as a combo with one of our famous HoneyBaked hams.
What is a honey baked turkey?
While there are numerous ways to cook a turkey, one method that never fails to impress is the honey baked turkey. The combination of succulent meat, rich flavors, and a hint of sweetness creates a truly irresistible dish that will leave your guests craving for more.
How do you cook a Turkey in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 350 °F, i.e., 176 °C, for about 10 -15 minutes before you pop the turkey in. Loosely cover the turkey with aluminum foil and place it on a baking tray. Place it into the oven on the middle rack to ensure it will heat up equally from all sides.