Boneless Turkey Breast

Thanksgiving is the meal I look forward to most every year. Nothing beats a juicy, succulent turkey served with my favorite holiday side dishes. Why, then, do I only allow myself to enjoy this magical meal once a year? While a whole roast turkey may be a tall order for an average weeknight, this boneless turkey breast recipe isn’t outside the realm of possibilities.

Easy to prepare, infused with a menagerie of herbs and spices, and ready in under an hour, this turkey recipe can be made any night of the week. Boneless, skinless turkey breasts really deserve more love. They’re lean, healthy and packed with protein. Plus, they’re relatively affordable (an equivalent amount of beef would be far more expensive) and large enough to serve a hungry family (most turkey breasts have a packaged weight of 3 to 5 pounds).

If you’re concerned that a boneless, skinless turkey breast will turn out dry or bland, this foolproof method consistently yields excellent results. The roasted turkey breast is seasoned with a flavorful combination of butter, lemon juice, soy sauce and herbs, which tenderizes the meat and keeps it moist as it roasts in the oven. The result is a perfectly cooked bird that you and your family will gobble up with glee any time of year, whether it’s for Thanksgiving or just another Wednesday night.

Ingredients for Boneless Turkey Breast

• Butter: Typically, the skin on a turkey insulates the meat from the oven’s heat and helps lock in moisture. Without the skin, it’s essential to add a fat, such as butter, during the cooking process to keep the turkey juicy and prevent it from drying out.
• Lemon juice: Beyond flavor, the acidity of the lemon juice also breaks down the muscle fibers in the meat, yielding a wonderfully tender boneless turkey breast.
• Soy sauce: Just a splash of soy sauce lends the basting liquid extra richness and umami.
• Green onions: This mild-tasting onion is the perfect aromatic for adding depth and complexity to the flavor of the turkey.
• Herbs and spices: A winning combination of dried thyme, marjoram and rubbed sage, married with salt and pepper, is the perfect, simple seasoning for a boneless turkey breast.
• Boneless turkey breast: When selecting a boneless, skinless turkey breast, choose one that will yield at least 1/2 pound of meat per person. If you’d like leftovers or have a group with large appetites, plan for about 1 pound per person.

How to Cook Boneless Skinless Turkey Breast

Step 1: Make the basting liquid

In a small saucepan, combine the butter, lemon juice, soy sauce, green onions, dried thyme, marjoram, rubbed sage, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat. Set it aside to cool.

Step 2: Roast the turkey

Place the turkey breast on a rack in a greased shallow roasting pan.

Spoon some of the butter mixture over the top. Cover and bake it at 325°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, basting it occasionally with the butter mixture.

Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Since the breast meat is lean, it can dry out if cooked for too long. For best results, monitor the internal temperature of the turkey as it cooks using an instant-read thermometer. A fully cooked turkey will reach an internal temperature of 165°. You can pull the turkey from the oven once it reaches an internal temperature of 160°. There will be some carry-over cooking that will continue to raise the internal temperature of the turkey while it rests.

Step 3: Slice the turkey

Once the turkey breast has rested, slice and serve it.

Editor’s Tip: While the turkey rests, you can make a quick and easy turkey gravy using the drippings in the pan.

Boneless Turkey Breast Variations

• Other herbs and spices: Feel free to adjust the herbs and spices in this recipe to suit your tastes. Rosemary, bay leaves, parsley, oregano and tarragon would all work well. You can also add paprika, garlic powder and/or onion powder to the basting liquid for an extra kick.
• Basting liquid alternatives: Consider adding a splash of chicken stock or white wine to the basting liquid for an extra flavor boost. If you happen to have bacon drippings, use them in place of a portion of the melted butter.

How to Store Boneless Turkey Breast

Like most other Thanksgiving leftovers, leftover turkey breast should be stored in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator. It will last up to four days.

Can you freeze cooked boneless turkey breast?

You can freeze cooked boneless turkey breast for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it.

How do you reheat boneless turkey breast?

When reheating turkey, the key it to prevent the leftover meat from drying out. For best results, place the turkey in a shallow baking dish with 1 cup of chicken stock or water. Cover and warm the turkey in a preheated 350º oven until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°.

Boneless Skinless Turkey Breast Tips

How should you thaw frozen boneless, skinless turkey?

Whole turkeys and boneless, skinless turkey breasts are usually sold frozen. Therefore, it’s essential to know how to thaw a turkey correctly so that it’s not only ready to cook on the day you plan to prepare it, but also safe to eat. For best results, thaw the turkey breast in its original packaging on a rimmed platter (to catch any leaks) for several days in your refrigerator.

For faster thawing, take the turkey in its original packaging, put it in a leak-proof bag and submerge it in a pot of cold water. You’ll need to change out the water every 30 minutes to ensure the turkey stays at a safe temperature. Do not leave your turkey out at room temperature overnight under any circumstances.

Can you make this recipe with skin-on turkey breast?

If you prefer to use a skin-on turkey breast, you can prepare the recipe as directed. Bear in mind that the skin will not become super crispy, as the basting liquid will keep it moist.

If you want a crispy skin, rather than melting the butter, mix the herbs and spices into softened butter instead to make compound butter. You could also add lemon zest and minced garlic, if desired. Marinate the turkey breast in the lemon juice and soy sauce for one to four hours, then pat the turkey breast dry. Carefully spread half the compound butter under the skin of the turkey and the remaining half on top of the skin. Add any leftover lemon juice and soy to the bottom of the pan, and roast the turkey as directed.

How do you make sure the turkey breast stays moist?

For a moist and juicy boneless turkey breast, stay on top of basting throughout the cooking process. We suggest basting the meat every 15 to 20 minutes to maintain a steady moisture level as it roasts. You could also consider brining the turkey before starting this recipe.

What can you serve with boneless, skinless turkey breast?

An oven-roasted boneless turkey breast can be served Thanksgiving-style with sweet potato casserole, homemade sausage stuffing and classic green bean casserole. It can also be enjoyed with your family’s favorite homestyle sides. A batch of almond wild rice, seasoned red potatoes or steamed broccoli would all make divine choices.

What else can you do with boneless turkey breast?

This roasted boneless turkey breast isn’t just for dinner. Make one for the week to use in sandwiches, wraps and salads, or make an epic turkey pot pie or a vat of steaming turkey noodle soup. After all, Thanksgiving isn’t the only time you can enjoy these recipes that use leftover turkey.