Thanksgiving is a time-honored tradition filled with warmth, gratitude, and, of course, a feast that often centers around the iconic turkey. While the whole roasted turkey has been a staple on Thanksgiving tables for generations, there's a delightful and convenient twist that will ease the stress of early morning prep so you can enjoy your holiday with friends and family. Enter today's Herb Roasted Turkey Breast. We're going to quickly dive into the reasons why this succulent and flavorful alternative is becoming a go-to choice for those looking to simplify their Thanksgiving preparations without compromising on taste.
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Simplifying Thanksgiving
- The Convenience Factor: One of the primary reasons why I love making this Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast is its undeniable convenience. Cooking a whole turkey can be a daunting task, requiring hours of preparation and a substantial amount of oven space. On the other hand, a turkey breast is a more manageable size, making it easier to handle and quicker to cook. This is especially beneficial for those hosting smaller gatherings or individuals who prefer a more intimate celebration.
- Time-Efficient Cooking: Time is of the essence, especially during the holiday season when there's so much to do. That being said, turkey breast takes significantly less time to cook compared to a whole turkey. With its reduced cooking time, you'll have more flexibility to focus on other essential elements of your Thanksgiving feast, such as side dishes, desserts, tablescapes, and spending quality time with your gathered loved ones.
- Adaptable for Various Occasions: While Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast is a fantastic choice for Thanksgiving, its versatility extends beyond this holiday. Whether you're hosting a festive dinner party, a special family gathering, or a casual weekend meal, this dish easily adapts to different occasions, making it a year-round favorite and if you're double-hosting this year for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving, today's easy recipe will really stand out.
Why Turkey Breast is the Better Option
- Flavorful Herb Infusion: What sets Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast apart is the infusion of aromatic herbs that elevate its flavor profile. The blend of savory herbs, warm spices like, nutmeg, and bright lemon juice creates a symphony of tastes that perfectly complement the natural richness of the turkey. The ingredients are also quite accessible. If you don't have herbs like thyme, sage leaves, or rosemary readily available, you can use Italian parsley, fresh basil, garlic, and dried herbs for an equally delicious result.
- Perfectly Moist Results: One common concern when cooking turkey is the risk of dryness. Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast addresses this issue with its smaller size and quicker cooking time, resulting in juicy perfection. The herb marinade not only enhances the flavor but also helps lock in the natural juices, ensuring a moist and tender turkey that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- For those wondering about pan drippings and gravy, a simple pan gravy is easy to achieve by cooking down a roux and chicken stock. You can use any kind of stock to achieve a thick, rich gravy.
- Customization and Versatility: Another advantage of opting for Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast is the ease of customization. You have the flexibility to experiment with different herb combinations like we mentioned above, allowing you to tailor the flavor to your preferences. Additionally, you can rub it down with a herb garlic butter for a richer result. Also note, you can marinate the turkey breast in advance, maximizing the infusion of flavors and saving you even more time on the day of your celebration.
Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 6 - 7 lb. bone-in turkey breast
For the Marinade:
- 5 cloves of fresh garlic, chopped
- 1 bunch of fresh Italian parsley, chopped
- Juice of 4 - 5 fresh lemons (about 1 cup)
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- Italian mixed herb seasoning
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- Fresh grated nutmeg
- Romano cheese, for grating
Instructions
- Preheat Oven 350 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl combine the lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley and olive oil.
- Rub the turkey breast down with the marinade and let sit for 30 minutes or so in the refrigerator to marinade.
- Place the turkey breast in a large cast iron frying pan and grate fresh nutmeg over the breast.
- About 10 minutes before the turkey is finished cooking grate Romano cheese over the top, then continue to bake for another 10 – 12 minutes.
- Roast until juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees F. when inserted into the thickest part of the breast, about 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the juices run clear. The turkey breast will cook more quickly than a whole turkey.
- Tent the turkey breast with tin foil and let it rest for 15 minutes or so before slicing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Inactive Prep Time: 45 minutes Inactive Time
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roast
- Cuisine: American
And that's a wrap on today's Herb Roasted Turkey Breast! Give it a try this Thanksgiving, and discover a new way to make your celebration both delightful and convenient.
If you have any questions about today's recipe, feel free to comment below!
Wishing you all a blessed and delicious, Thanksgiving holiday! xx
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Beth says
Just looking at this makes me so hungry! I absolutely love making turkey breast. I buy them all the time. I love all the flavors you used here!
Stephanie says
This turkey looks so tender! The marinade seems straightforward so I will have to try it soon.
Tracey Kifford says
This has made me feel SO hungry! It looks so nice!
Yeah Lifestyle says
I really do prefer the turkey breast meat and this looks so tender. Adding all of those herbs makes it so much more flavourful.
Hari says
This is such a mouth watering turkey recipe. Will give it a try soon!
Sue-Tanya Mchorgh says
This Herb Roasted Turkey Breast recipe is a Thanksgiving game-changer! The blog post beautifully captures the essence of the holiday season—warmth, gratitude, and a delicious feast. The twist of opting for a Herb Roasted Turkey Breast is not only delightful but also a genius move to ease the stress of Thanksgiving preparations. The post skillfully highlights the convenience and flavor-packed goodness of this alternative, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a simplified yet equally satisfying Thanksgiving experience.
Claudia Krusch says
Perfect recipe for Thanksgiving! I can't wait to use the herb blend for my turkey!
Lavanda Michelle says
The convenience factor and time efficiency were real lifesavers. Plus, the herb infusion made it incredibly flavorful and moist. Loved that I could customize the herbs too!
Melissa Cushing says
This looks incredible and I will be making a Turkey Breast for Christmas and may have to sue this yummy recipe! Thanks for sharing and pinning it next!