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Roasted Turkey Breast
This boneless turkey breast recipe delivers moist and juicy slices of turkey, making it a flavorful choice for both easy weeknight dinners and festive holiday gatherings.
The herb-forward Turkey Rub enhances the turkey breast’s rich flavor while allowing its natural taste to shine. It’s my favorite poultry seasoning.
The blend of classic herbs and spices pairs beautifully with nearly any side dish. If you’re planning the full meal, my Thanksgiving Food Guide covers the turkey, appetizers, side dishes, desserts and the smaller details that bring everything together.
How To Roast a Boneless Turkey Breast
Here’s how to roast a turkey breast:
Prep: Mix together the turkey rub and rub it over all sides of the breast.
Roast: Roast until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches 165°F.
Rest: Let the turkey rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Estimated Cooking Time
It takes approximately 25–30 minutes per pound to cook a boneless turkey breast at 325°F.
My 3-pound turkey breast took 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach 160°F. After resting, it reached the safe serving temperature of 165°F.
Use the chart below as an estimate only. Check the thickest part of the breast with a meat thermometer and make sure it reaches 165°F before slicing and serving.
| Weight of Turkey Breast | Estimated Cooking Time |
| 2 pounds | 50–60 minutes |
| 3 pounds | 1 hour 15 minutes–1 hour 30 minutes |
| 4 pounds | 1 hour 45 minutes–2 hours |
| 5 pounds | 2 hours 10 minutes–2 hours 30 minutes |
Expert Tips
- The turkey breast needs to be fully defrosted before cooking. Reference my guide to thawing a turkey breast for the available methods.
- Optional: Make a batch of Turkey Injection and inject the breast before roasting.
- Optional: Brine the turkey using my Turkey Breast Brine.
- If you’re out of any of the listed herbs, many options on the list of poultry seasoning substitutes will work.
- Pat the turkey breast thoroughly dry with paper towels before adding the oil and seasoning. A dry exterior helps the surface brown properly.
- Use the drippings to make turkey gravy from scratch.
- Store leftover turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Side Dish Ideas
For a classic holiday plate, serve oven-roasted turkey breast with Maple Glazed Carrots, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes or Green Bean Casserole With Bacon.
You can find more options in my complete collection of Thanksgiving Side Dishes.
More Turkey Recipes
For another way to cook the same cut, try my Sous Vide Turkey Breast. You can also make a Smoked Turkey Breast or browse all of my Turkey Recipes.
Before you go, check out my Best Wine With Turkey list to complete the meal.
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Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast
Ingredients
TURKEY RUB
- 1 tsp kosher salt (*Note 1)
- 1 tsp dried thyme (*Note 2)
- 1 tsp dried rosemary (*Note 2)
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp dried sage (*Note 2)
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ground mustard
- ½ tsp black pepper + more to taste
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
TURKEY BREAST
- 2-6 lb boneless turkey breast (*Note 3)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325˚F.
- Combine all the rub ingredients in a small bowl. Rub the turkey breast with olive oil followed by the rub. Make sure to coat all sides of the breast.
- Transfer the breast to a roasting rack placed on top of a greased baking sheet. If you don’t have a roasting rack, place the breast directly on the baking sheet.
- Roast until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F. The total time will vary based on the size of the turkey breast, but plan on approximately 25–30 minutes per pound. (*Note 3)
- Remove from the oven. Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. (*Note 4)
Notes
|
Weight of Turkey Breast
|
Estimated Cooking Time
|
|
2 lbs
|
50-60 minutes
|
|
3 lbs
|
1 hour 15–30 minutes
|
|
4 lbs
|
1 hour 45 minutes–2 hours
|
|
5 lbs
|
2 hours 10–30 minutes
|