Oven Herb Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe (Boneless)

Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast is SO EASY, yet also one of the most delicious, and makes an impressive presentation. Enjoy a golden brown turkey breast with crispy skin with minimal prep and ready in a few hours!

The stress-free recipe for Thanksgiving, dinner parties, or casual dinners. Two ingredients and some fresh herbs – then into the oven (no basting required)!

Why A Baked Turkey Breast?

• So, you’ve got the crew coming for Thanksgiving day, but not sure you’ll have enough turkey.  Make this boneless turkey breast to have on hand and eliminate the stress!
• This is a great easy recipe if you are having a smaller group gathering for a holiday meal (or any time of the year), and don’t want to cook an entire turkey.
• Takes less time and effort than cooking a full-size turkey.
• You are craving a turkey sandwich and don’t want store-bought cold cuts!  You’ve got an easy way to have lunches for the week!
• Bring to a potluck.
• A great recipe for. a small dinner party.
• Any time you want a turkey dinner.

What Is A Boneless Turkey Breast?

• A turkey breast that is labeled boneless (versus bone-in turkey breast or bone-in breast), has white meat, can be any number of pounds, with skin-on, and is usually wrapped in a plastic mesh netting.  
• It is easily found in the grocery stores. 

How To Cook A Boneless Turkey Breast:

See full directions and tips in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1.  For this turkey recipe, preheat the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
2. Take the turkey breast out of the wrapping (from the grocery store meat counter or pre-packaged).

3.  Rinse the turkey breast to give it a quick wash.

4.  Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels or a clean dishcloth.

5.  Place the turkey breast on the roasting pan, skin side up. Alternatively, you could use a baking pan.

Optional:  For extra flavor, I often pour some chicken broth (chicken stock) into the bottom of the roasting pan along with a few sliced vegetables (celery, carrots, and onion).

6.  In a small bowl, add the olive oil, sea salt or kosher salt, black pepper, and freshly chopped herbs. Mix to combine into the consistency of a paste.

7.  Place the dry turkey in a baking dish, large roasting pan, or baking sheet, with or without a wire rack (roasting rack). Using your hand and/or a kitchen brush for food, coat and rub the herb mixture all over the turkey breast.  You can lift the skin, and the plastic netting and spread some under there as well. Just be careful as you do this to keep the netting in place.

During the cooking process, I often add any extra herb mixture I might have by smoothing on top of the turkey breast.

8.  Cook time is 2 – 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees and the skin of the turkey breast is golden and crispy.  To check the temperature, put an instant-read meat thermometer through the top of the skin in the thickest part of the breast and wait a minute for the temperature to show. 

You’ll see the temperature rising. Cook time using my oven is for a 2-3 pound whole turkey breast.  

Please note:  Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your boneless turkey breast and your particular oven.

9.  Take the roasted turkey breast out of the oven and let the roast rest by covering it with aluminum foil for about 15-20 minutes. I press down with the oven mitts to get the aluminum foil close to the breast creating a tent. This is important as this will allow the juices to redistribute in the breast meat making it easier to slice. 

10.  Remove the netting, carve, and serve the turkey breast.

11.  Pour pan juices (pan drippings) into a cup for gravy if you’ll be making. To do this: scrape all the bits from the bottom of the pan. 

12. Store leftover turkey that has come to room temperature in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

As you can see, the prep time is just a few minutes.  While your turkey is roasting, your house will smell amazing

Where To Buy Boneless Turkey Breast?

• I purchase the best turkey breast at my local grocery store, most often, from the butcher by letting him/her know the size of turkey breast I would like (number of pounds).
• You can find fresh boneless turkey breast pre-packaged in most grocery stores in the meat section.

It is important to let the turkey breast rest for about 15-20 minutes once out of the oven before carving/slicing.

Herbs For Turkey:

• Sage, rosemary, and thyme are classic herbs for flavoring turkey.
• Chopped fresh parsley would make a nice addition to this herb mix if you have it on hand.
• If at all possible, use fresh herbs as they make a big difference.  I happened to find a potted plant at the grocery store with rosemary, thyme, and sage.  Perfect!  I just clipped what I needed. 
• Tip:  Any leftover herbs can be used for simmering spices or other recipes for later use.

Tips For This Turkey Breast Recipe:

• For best results, use a fresh boneless skin-on turkey breast.  (Not frozen).
• Use fresh herbs. These can be from your garden, the grocery store, a farmer’s market, etc…
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey breast is cooked. Tip: for convenience use an instant-read thermometer.
• Save the turkey juices (pan drippings) for turkey gravy.
• Look for “poultry seasoning” fresh herbs in a packet at the grocery store.  This is more cost-effective than buying each herb.
• You might be able to substitute dried herbs for fresh herbs, however, I have not done this.
• Use leftover turkey meat for flavorful turkey breast sandwiches the next day.
• The herb mixture would also work well for a whole bird. In that case, you would need to double or triple the recipe.
• You could substitute butter for olive oil if you choose to create herb butter.  

FAQ For This Boneless Turkey Breast:

1. Do I take the plastic mesh netting the turkey breast is wrapped in off to roast it?  No, leave this on or the turkey roast will lose it shape and fall apart.  It should be on the outside of the roast.
2. Can I use a frozen turkey breast?  Yes, if you let it thaw in the refrigerator for about 24 hours before cooking.
3. Does this roast turkey breast recipe produce dark meat?  No, turkey breasts are white meat.
4. Could you use this recipe for chicken breast?  Yes, the herb mixture is a delicious poultry seasoning and would work well for a chicken breast.
5. Would this recipe work for a turkey crown?  Yes, adjusting for the size of the bird by making additional herb mixture.

More Turkey Recipes To Try:

• Turkey Breast with Peach Glaze
• Paleo Turkey Meatloaf
• Paleo Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Meatballs
• Best Crockpot Paleo Turkey Chili

Amazing Sides For Your Turkey Recipes:

• Easy Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes
• Paleo Cranberry Sauce
• Whole30 Mashed Potatoes
• Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Paleo Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Butternut Squash Puree
• Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
• Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

5 from 1 vote

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Oven Herb Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

2 hrs

Total Time

2 hrs 10 mins

 

Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast is one of the easiest recipes I use,  yet also one of the most delicious and makes an impressive presentation. 

The stress-free recipe for Thanksgiving, it's perfect for holidays (Paleo Thanksgiving Recipes), dinner parties, or just casual dinners. Two ingredients and some fresh herbs are all that is required.

Course: Entree, holiday dish, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 10

Calories: 144 kcal

Author: Christine Galvani

Ingredients

• 2-3 pound boneless skin on, turkey breast (My turkey breast was 2.3 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• tablespoons a few fresh herbs (Sage Rosemary and Thyme). I used 2 large sage leaves, several thyme and rosemary bunches to equal about 3 tablespoons cut, chopped herbs.
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Wash and dry turkey breast and place on roasting pan.
3. In a bowl, add herbs, about 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper and mix together.

4. Using hands or brush, coat entire turkey breast, all over, and under the skin if possible.

5. Bake for 2-2 1/2 hours until internal temperature reaches 170 degrees.
6. Notes: Can be made ahead of time.

Recipe Notes

Herbs For Turkey:

• Sage, rosemary, and thyme are classic herbs for flavoring turkey.
• Chopped fresh parsley would make a nice addition to this herb mix if you have it on hand.
• If at all possible, use fresh herbs as they make a big difference.  I happened to find a potted plant at the grocery store with rosemary, thyme, and sage.  Perfect!  I just clipped what I needed. 
• Tip:  Any leftover herbs can be used for simmering spices or other recipes for later use.

Tips For This Turkey Breast Recipe:

• For best results, use a fresh boneless skin-on turkey breast.  (Not frozen).
• Use fresh herbs. These can be from your garden, the grocery store, a farmer's market, etc...
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey breast is cooked. Tip: for convenience use an instant-read thermometer.
• Save the turkey juices (pan drippings) for turkey gravy.
• Look for "poultry seasoning" fresh herbs in a packet at the grocery store.  This is more cost-effective than buying each herb.
• You might be able to substitute dried herbs for fresh herbs, however, I have not done this.
• Use leftover turkey meat for flavorful turkey breast sandwiches the next day.
• The herb mixture would also work well for a whole bird. In that case, you would need to double or triple the recipe.
• You could substitute butter for olive oil if you choose to create herb butter.  

FAQ For This Boneless Turkey Breast:

1. Do I take the plastic mesh netting the turkey breast is wrapped in off to roast it?  No, leave this on or the turkey roast will lose it shape and fall apart.  It should be on the outside of the roast.
2. Can I use a frozen turkey breast?  Yes, if you let it thaw in the refrigerator for about 24 hours before cooking.
3. Does this roast turkey breast recipe produce dark meat?  No, turkey breasts are white meat.
4. Could you use this recipe for chicken breast?  Yes, the herb mixture is a delicious poultry seasoning and would work well for a chicken breast.
5. Would this recipe work for a turkey crown?  Yes, adjusting for the size of the bird by making additional herb mixture.

 

Nutrition Facts

Oven Herb Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast

Amount Per Serving

Calories 144 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Cholesterol 57mg19%

Sodium 218mg9%

Potassium 339mg10%

Protein 20g40%

Calcium 5mg1%

Iron 0.5mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Resources:

• How To Cook A Turkey Breast