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Perfect Herb Butter Turkey Breast for Two

herb butter turkey breast for two - featured image

A juicy, herb-infused turkey breast for two, made with a simple herb butter that creates a self-basting effect for incredibly moist meat. This easy recipe comes together in under an hour and is perfect for a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (2 to 2.5 lb) boneless, skin-on turkey breast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup chicken or turkey broth, low-sodium (optional)
  • 1 small onion, quartered (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Take the turkey breast out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, lemon zest, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Mix until well combined into a paste.
  3. Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Season the outside generously with salt and pepper. Gently loosen the skin from the meat to create a pocket, being careful not to tear it. Slide about three-quarters of the herb butter under the skin, spreading evenly. Rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the skin.
  4. If using, place the quartered onion and smashed garlic cloves in the center of a small roasting pan or oven-safe skillet. Pour in the chicken broth. Place the turkey breast on top of the onions (or on a rack).
  5. Roast for 35-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) at the thickest part. The skin should be golden brown and crispy. Start checking at 30 minutes.
  6. Remove the turkey from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for at least 10 minutes. The temperature will rise to 165°F (74°C) during resting. Slice against the grain and serve with pan juices.

Notes

For crispy skin, pat the turkey dry thoroughly. Use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking; pull at 160°F as carryover cooking will bring it to 165°F. If skin browns too quickly, tent with foil for the last 10-15 minutes. Let the herb butter sit at room temperature for 10 minutes after mixing for better flavor. For a quick pan sauce, add a splash of white wine or broth to the pan drippings while the turkey rests.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey breast, herb butter, roasted turkey, dinner for two, easy turkey recipe, juicy turkey