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Tender Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast for Two

herb butter roasted turkey breast for two - featured image

This Tender Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast for Two is a weeknight miracle and Sunday supper hero, delivering juicy, flavorful turkey without roasting a whole bird. Perfect for intimate dinners, it features a golden, crispy skin and tender meat thanks to a flavorful herb butter compound.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (about 2 to 2.5 lbs / 900g to 1.1 kg)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (½ stick / 56g), softened
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt (Diamond Crystal), divided
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup chicken or turkey broth (120ml)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Take the turkey breast out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Pat the skin completely dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Mix until well incorporated.
  3. Using your fingers, gently work your way under the turkey skin, separating it from the meat without tearing the skin.
  4. Take about two-thirds of the herb butter and spread it directly onto the meat under the skin. Spread the remaining butter all over the outside of the skin.
  5. Drizzle the olive oil over the skin and rub it in gently. Sprinkle the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper over the top.
  6. If using kitchen twine, tie the turkey breast crosswise in two or three places for even cooking.
  7. Pour the ½ cup of chicken or turkey broth into the bottom of your roasting pan or baking dish. Place the turkey breast in the pan, skin side up.
  8. Roast for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155°F (68°C) when inserted into the thickest part of the breast. Start checking at 40 minutes.
  9. About halfway through roasting, spoon some of the pan juices over the turkey for basting.
  10. Once the turkey reaches 155°F, remove it from the oven. Transfer to a cutting board and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes. The temperature will continue to rise to 160-165°F (71-74°C) during resting.
  11. After resting, slice the turkey breast against the grain into ½-inch thick slices. Spoon any remaining pan juices over the top and serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip the resting time—it’s essential for juicy meat. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Pat the skin very dry for crispy skin. Let the butter soften naturally at room temperature. Make extra herb butter for other uses. Don’t open the oven door too often.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey breast, herb butter, roasted turkey, dinner for two, easy turkey recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten-free, low-carb