Description
Herb Roasted Turkey Breast is a succulent holiday centerpiece made with tender turkey breast seasoned with rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, and lemon zest. Roasted to juicy perfection in under 2 hours, this dish is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or smaller gatherings. Simple to prepare yet full of flavor, it’s a festive recipe that’s both versatile and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole turkey breast (bone-in or boneless)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or melted butter)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tbsp fresh sage (or 1 tsp dried)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Optional: 1 tsp paprika
- Optional: extra lemon slices or fresh herbs for roasting pan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat turkey breast dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, lemon zest, and olive oil (or butter) to make the herb rub.
- Rub mixture evenly over the turkey breast.
- Place turkey breast in a roasting pan, breast side up. Add optional citrus slices or herbs around the turkey.
- Roast for 1.5–2 hours, basting occasionally with pan juices, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before carving.
Notes
- Brining or marinating beforehand helps keep the turkey extra juicy.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- For added richness, tuck compound butter under the skin before roasting.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz turkey
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 115mg