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Perfect Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast for Small Gatherings

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This Perfect Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast for Small Gatherings is the recipe that finally made me feel like a confident host. It is simple enough for a Tuesday dinner but special enough for the holiday table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, leaves stripped from stems
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bone-in turkey breast (5–6 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon salt, for seasoning the skin
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, for seasoning the skin
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
  • 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
  • 3–4 fresh rosemary sprigs

Instructions

  1. Make the Herb Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, minced garlic, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Mix until evenly distributed. Set aside at room temperature.
  2. Prepare the Turkey Breast: Remove the turkey breast from packaging and pat completely dry with paper towels. Place skin side up on a cutting board. Gently loosen the skin from the meat without tearing it to create a pocket. Season the turkey all over with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper, including under the skin.
  3. Apply the Herb Butter: Spread about two-thirds of the herb butter directly onto the meat under the skin. Spread the remaining butter over the outside of the skin, covering completely.
  4. Set Up the Roasting Pan: Place a wire rack inside a roasting pan. Arrange the quartered onion and fresh rosemary sprigs in the bottom of the pan. Pour in the chicken broth. Place the seasoned turkey breast on the rack, skin side up.
  5. Roast the Turkey: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Roast at 425°F for 20 minutes. Without opening the oven, reduce temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue roasting for 50-60 minutes more, or until internal temperature reaches 155°F (68°C) at the thickest part of the breast. Total roasting time is typically 70-80 minutes.
  6. Rest and Carve: Remove turkey from oven and transfer to a cutting board. Tent loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 15-20 minutes. The internal temperature will rise to 160-165°F during resting. Slice against the grain into even pieces.

Notes

Pull the turkey out of the oven when it hits 155°F, not 165°F. The carryover cooking during resting will bring it up to a safe 160-165°F. Make sure the turkey skin is thoroughly dried before seasoning to ensure crispy skin. The herb butter can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated; let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes before using.

Nutrition

Keywords: herb butter roasted turkey breast, small gathering turkey, juicy turkey breast, crispy skin turkey, holiday turkey for small group, easy turkey breast recipe

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/perfect-herb-butter-roasted-turkey-breast-for-small-gatherings/