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Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 71 reviews
  • Author: Lauren
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 90 minutes
  • Total Time: 110 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings (6-8 people)
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Garlic Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast recipe features a succulent, juicy turkey breast seasoned with a fragrant mixture of fresh herbs and garlic butter. The butter is carefully spread under and over the skin to baste the meat while roasting, resulting in tender, flavorful turkey with a delicious herb-infused pan sauce. Perfect for a family dinner or special occasion, this roast is easy to prepare and yields beautifully juicy slices every time.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2.5 – 3 kg / 5-6 lb single turkey breast, skin on, bone in (NOT BRINED)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Black pepper to taste

Herbs and Aromatics

  • Small bunch of fresh herbs – 4 rosemary sprigs, 8 sprigs sage, 10 thyme sprigs
  • 12 garlic cloves, smashed with side of knife

Garlic Herb Butter

  • 150 g / 5 oz (10 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 tsp table salt or 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

  1. Remove fridge chill: Take the turkey breast out of the refrigerator 45 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. If it’s particularly hot, 30 minutes will suffice.
  2. Preheat oven and prepare rack: Preheat your oven to 200°C / 390°F (works with all oven types). Position your oven rack in the lower middle position to ensure even roasting.
  3. Prepare baking dish with herbs and garlic: Place the smashed garlic cloves along with the bunch of fresh herbs in the center of a baking dish. This will infuse the turkey with excellent flavor as it roasts.
  4. Make garlic herb butter: In a bowl, thoroughly mix together the softened butter with salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and finely chopped fresh sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley until well combined.
  5. Loosen the turkey skin: Using an upside-down teaspoon, gently loosen the skin from the turkey breast meat. Slide the spoon carefully under the thin layer beneath the skin to create space for the butter.
  6. Apply butter under the skin (top side): Use about two-thirds of the garlic herb butter and evenly smear it under the loosened skin on the top half of the turkey breast, using your hands to spread it as evenly as possible beneath the skin.
  7. Apply butter under the skin (underside): Turn the turkey breast upside down and use the remainder of the butter, reserving about 2 tablespoons for later. Smear the butter under the skin on the underside of the breast as well.
  8. Place turkey in baking dish: Position the turkey breast skin side up on top of the garlic and herb mixture in the baking dish.
  9. Butter the skin surface: Smear the reserved 2 tablespoons of garlic herb butter sparingly on the skin’s surface to avoid burning the herbs during roasting.
  10. Optional make-ahead step: At this point, you can cover and refrigerate the prepared turkey breast for up to 24 hours. Remove it from the fridge 45 minutes before cooking to come to room temperature before proceeding.
  11. Roast the turkey: Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for approximately 90 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 74°C (165°F). This ensures the turkey is cooked through but remains juicy.
  12. Rest and serve: Once cooked, allow the turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This helps the juices redistribute and ensures tender slices. Serve with the garlic herb pan sauce for extra flavor.

Notes

  • This recipe features a video demonstrating technique and preparation, highly recommended for first-timers.
  • Using fresh herbs is key to the vibrant, authentic flavor, though dried herbs may be substituted cautiously in smaller quantities.
  • Smearing butter under the skin bastes the turkey during roasting and helps create a delicious buttery pan sauce for serving.
  • Using a meat thermometer ensures perfectly cooked, juicy turkey breast every time.
  • Do not brine the turkey breast as it is not necessary and might affect the herb butter flavor.
  • The herb and garlic bed under the turkey adds subtle aromatic flavor and prevents sticking.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 336 g
  • Calories: 598 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 480 mg
  • Fat: 45 g
  • Saturated Fat: 28 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 47 g
  • Cholesterol: 160 mg

Find it online: https://tastyrates.com/garlic-herb-butter-roasted-turkey-breast-recipe/