This Boneless Turkey Breast Roast is herb crusted and garlic stuffed, then baked in the oven with tender, juicy results! Only 6 ingredients are needed for this recipe that produces flavorful and impressive results every time.
It’s perfect for any holiday dinner and as easy as this bacon wrapped turkey breast recipe and air fryer turkey breast!
Table of Contents
- Ingredients and Notes
- How to Cook Boneless Turkey Breast
- How Long to Cook Boneless Turkey Breast Roast in the Oven?
- What Internal Temperature Should It Be?
- How Do I Keep It from Drying Out?
- Expert Tips
- Variations
- Serving Recommendations
- Storing Leftovers
- FAQs
- More Holiday Mains to Try
- Boneless Turkey Breast Roast Recipe Recipe
Make this juicy boneless turkey breast roast for Thanksgiving dinner instead of roasting a whole turkey. It’s perfect for smaller holiday gatherings where you might be feeding only 4 – 6 people.
Entire boneless skinless turkey breast is stuffed with garlic, herb crusted with fresh rosemary, and then oven roasted. It turns out juicy every time, which is hard to do when you cook a whole bird!
Ingredients and Notes
Simple wholesome ingredients is all you need for this recipe! When purchasing your turkey, general rule of thumb is 1/2 lb of turkey breast per person, so purchase accordingly to the number of guests you will be serving.
- Boneless turkey breast roast: This recipe calls for fresh boneless skinless turkey breast roast. If you have a frozen one, thaw it first. It can be boneless turkey breast meat, only thigh meat or both. In either case, meat is shaped and held together by stretchy mesh.
- Fresh rosemary: Not dried. I am all for shortcuts but holiday roast calls for fresh herbs as it infuses the best taste.
- Garlic: There is really no substitute for fresh garlic, which has a very distinctive flavor. If you are allergic to garlic, maybe bake with a bit of lemon juice and zest. And/or sprinkle with fresh chives before serving.
- Olive oil: Can also use avocado or grapeseed oil. I do not recommend to use melted butter because it will solidify as soon as you brush it on cold turkey breast roast and herbs will not stick.
- Salt and black pepper: To season and taste.
How to Cook Boneless Turkey Breast
Only 10 minutes prep are needed for roasted boneless turkey breast recipe. It is truly so easy!
I prefer to roast turkey breast in a Dutch oven but you can also do so on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan.
If your meat is frozen, here is an easy tutorial how to thaw a turkey breast, even if you need to do so quickly.
Stuff with garlic: In a medium roasting pan or Dutch oven, place turkey breast and make 10-15 inserts with a paring knife. Stick garlic slice into each hole until you run out of garlic.
Season with rosemary: Rub roast with oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper all around. Taking small handfuls of rosemary pat it onto the roast, then sprinkle some.
The goal is to coat the roast in herbs for best roasted turkey flavor.
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes per 1 lb: I cooked 3 pounds turkey breast roast for 90 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast reads 160 degrees F.
Do not worry about white meat reaching 170 degrees F. It will do so while resting. This way turkey roast will have juicy meat.
Remove mesh casing and slice: Using sharp knife or kitchen scissors, cut casing in the middle, remove and discard. Slice into thin slices without pushing on meat too hard.
How Long to Cook Boneless Turkey Breast Roast in the Oven?
You are probably wondering “how long to cook boneless turkey breast roast per pound?”. And it’s a good question because it is the key to success to a juicy roast.
The general rule of thumb is to cook it for 30 minutes per pound. Let’s work out a simple math. For example, a 3 lbs turkey breast would be ready in 90 minutes, or 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The simple equation to remember is: turkey weight (lbs.) x 30 minutes.
Here is a table of cooking times for quick reference:
- 2 lbs turkey breast: 60 minutes or 1 hour
- 3 lbs turkey breast: 90 minutes or 1 hour 30 minutes
- 4 lbs turkey breast: 120 minutes or 2 hours
- 5 lbs turkey breast: 150 minutes or 2 hours 30 minutes
- 6 lbs turkey breast: 180 minutes or 3 hours
If you had to remember one thing it would be that minimum internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast should reach 160 degrees F when checked with an instant-read meat thermometer.
What Internal Temperature Should It Be?
As per USDA guidelines, poultry meat is a safe for consumption when it is cooked to 165 F. Don’t worry, though! As the turkey rests tented under foil or in Dutch oven, it will continue to cook with residual heat. Its internal temperature will reach 165 degrees F optimal temperature.
How Do I Keep It from Drying Out?
This boneless turkey breast roast recipe does not produce dry results. To prevent dry turkey, follow the recipe and do not overcook it! It’s important to remove it from the oven before internal temperature reached 165 F. So, check and remove at 160 F.
I do not recommend to open and the oven and try to baste it with turkey broth or melted butter. Each time you open the door, the oven temperature drops and your cook time will be skewed.
Expert Tips
- Important to let meat rest! Remove roast from the oven, cover with aluminum foil and let turkey breast rest for 10 minutes. Internal temperature will reach 165-170 degrees F, making it safe to eat as per USDA guidelines and juices will settle. Don’t skip!
- Don’t remove the casing before cooking: Under any circumstances please don’t. Casing is holding pieces of meat together. If you remove it, meat will fall apart. Do not worry, we will season it inside. It will come out juicy and delicious.
- Bake roast uncovered: If you cover it, white meat will steam instead of roasting.
- Browned crispy skin: You can try broiling for a few minutes at the end. Just be careful not to dry out the turkey.
- Extra large roast 5-10 lbs: Cook for 30 minutes per each pound of turkey but check with thermometer 30 minutes before calculated total time. Just to avoid overcooking your oven-roasted turkey breast as oven gets hotter with time.
Variations
This recipe as is produces amazing results! If you want to try some variations, though, here are some ideas.
- Additional rub seasonings: Onion powder, crushed thyme, sage, and paprika. Or just try my delicious turkey breast rub that is full of yummy seasoning to complement the turkey breast perfectly.
- Can’t stand the thought of not using butter to rub turkey? Melt small amount of butter then mix with EVOO or some readers have had success with using room temperature butter.
- ‘Stuffed’ turkey breast: If you are up for the challenge, some readers have successfully removed mesh, unrolled the breast and spread additional layer of fresh herbs/butter then rolled it back up and stuffed breast back in mesh before roasting.
- Brine turkey overnight for additional flavor.
Serving Recommendations
Since I usually make this at Thanksgiving, I serve it with healthy turkey gravy and healthy cranberry sauce.
Are you wondering “What else to serve with turkey breast?”. Here are a few more holiday side dishes that are the perfect complement to your festive celebration.
- Healthy sweet potatoes
- Cauliflower mashed potatoes
- Crispy Parmesan potatoes
- Parmesan roasted brussels sprouts
- Healthy sweet potato casserole
- Healthy green bean casserole
- Cauliflower stuffing
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerate cooked turkey roast whole or sliced in an airtight container for up to a week. Leftover turkey is so good cold on its own or in a sandwich. Or reheat just until warm with gravy. This recipe is so versatile!
Freeze leftovers sliced or cut into bite sized pieces in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator and then use leftovers for soup, as a protein in a salad for lunch, or for turkey tacos!
FAQs
Yes. It is simply deboned turkey breast pieces being held together by a netting.
You should roast turkey breast uncovered. Cover it after cooking to let meat rest, become juicy and reach desired internal temperature of 165 F.
First, this recipe is for a fresh boneless turkey breast roast. If your roast is frozen, be sure to thaw turkey completely. If your breast is frozen in the middle, it will change the cooking time and end results will be dry.
Second, trust the first internal temp check, remove it from oven and let it rest so turkey juices settle back into the roast. Also to keep it moist for a while, don’t slice it right away but rather before serving.
To save time at the holidays, you could ‘dress’ the turkey breast recipe with garlic and herbs, cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Let turkey come to room temp, then proceed with roasting.
If your roast comes out tough, it is because of type of meat the store used to wrap into the casing. I once happened to buy a small 2 lb roast and it was pretty chewy with muscle tissues.
I highly recommend to buy a minimum 3 pounds of larger boneless skinless turkey breast roast.
More Holiday Mains to Try
Here are a few more suggestions for your small holiday meal instead of traditional turkey!
- Slow cooker boneless turkey breast
- Bone-in turkey breast
- Instant Pot turkey breast
- Baked turkey legs
- Beef sirloin tip roast
- Boneless leg of lamb recipe
Boneless Turkey Breast Roast Recipe
Ingredients
Boneless Turkey Roast
- 3 lbs fresh boneless turkey roast in casing
- 3 large garlic cloves cut into matchsticks
- 3 large rosemary sprigs leaves removed and minced
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
Easy Pan Gravy (Optional)
- 2 cups low sodium chicken stock or water
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Boneless Turkey Roast
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium roasting pan or Dutch oven, place turkey roast and make 10-15 inserts with a paring knife. Stick garlic slice into each one until you run out of garlic.
- Rub roast with oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper all around. Taking small handfuls of rosemary pat it onto the roast, then sprinkle some. The goal is to coat the roast in herbs.
- Bake uncovered for 90 minutes. Check with meat thermometer, it should read 160 degrees F.
- Remove from the oven, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Internal temperature will reach 170 degrees F and juices settle.
- Using a sharp knife or scissors, remove the casing and slice. Serve warm at a Holiday table with traditional sides of mashed potatoes and gravy, cold as an appy or use in sandwiches instead of deli meat.
Easy Pan Gravy (Optional)
- Place roasting pan with juices from cooking turkey roast on medium heat. Scrape and shake rosemary and burnt on pieces from removed casing into the pot. There is a lot of flavor. Discard the casing.
- Add broth and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes and whisk to scrape the walls. Again lots of flavor in there. Add white wine, butter, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low-medium and cook for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, add a bit of gravy from the pot and cornstarch. Whisk well with a fork, pour back into the pot and whisk until gravy starts boiling.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes or until thickened a bit. Serve with a turkey roast.
Video
Notes
- Make ahead: ‘Dress’ the turkey breast with garlic and herbs, cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Let turkey come to room temp, then proceed with roasting.
- Store: Refrigerate roast whole or sliced in an airtight container for up to a week. It tastes so good cold. And warm with gravy. This recipe is so versatile!
- Freeze: Freeze leftovers sliced or cut into bite sized pieces in an air tight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator.
- Fresh boneless turkey roast: This recipe calls for fresh boneless skinless turkey roast. If you have a frozen one, thaw it first.
- Bone in roast: If you want to cook turkey breast with bone in, check out this bone in turkey breast roast.
Hello! I was wondering if I could use butter instead of olive oil?
Hey Lisa!
I do not recommend to use melted butter because it will solidify as soon as you brush it on cold meat and herbs will not stick.
I prefer to use butter over oil. I let the butter come to room temperature and add my herbs/spices to it and spread it over the turkey, which is also already at room temperature. Bringing any type of meat to room temperature ensures better even cooking, and the butter will not solidify.
Hello, thank you in advance for such detailed, careful instructions. I’m making a boneless breast for the first time, it would have been miserable without your advice! Enjoy Thanksgiving and know that you’ve helped a lot of people!
So happy to hear, Nancy! I appreciate it because this was hard work by a team of 3 people. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving, I ate mine back in October, “Canada problems” haha.
Would the instructions differ at all for cooking two roasts at the same time, both 3lbs? Anything I should do differently?
No, I don’t think so. I would put them far from each other so they roast, I mean not touching. Enjoy!
Hi! My name Gerald. I have a 12lb boneless turkey breast. It is wrapped in plastic . I’m told to cook with plastic on. How do you season it?
I would not cook anything with plastic. You are the 2nd person that is asking. I have never seen a roast in plastic. I would remove it, run out and buy kitchen twine, even in a dollar store, and tie roast with it after removing plastic. Season as per recipe.
Hello! My turkey roasts came wrapped in a plastic bag instead of a mesh one. Could I cut slits into the plastic for the garlic and herbs?
You have to remove plastic bag. Don’t cook with it under any circumstances. Instead run out and buy kitchen twine, even in a dollar store, and tie roast with it after removing plastic.
Can’t wait to try this. I have a turkey breast roast and a whole chicken to roast. The chicken cooks at 425 so I can’t cook together. My second oven is a Thermidor Speed/ microwave. Not sure how to cook the roast in it. If I cook the roast in my main oven early would it be ok to serve a couple of hours later? Is it possible to reheat? Thanks so much!
Hi Amy. I would cook chicken first and you can always reheat it covered at 350 before serving. It has less chances to dry out because it has fat and bones. Roast is lean meat and I would cook it before serving last. Never tried the oven like yours, so I can’t tell. Maybe its manual will help with cooking chicken, if it can fit into it?!
Anything else I can use to replace the Rosemary?
Fresh thyme.
My turkey breast doesn’t have any mesh. It’s a turkey breast boneless roast. How should I cook it?
Hi Janet! As long as it is boneless, you can cook it the same way!
I received a 3lb turkey breast “roast” from whole foods via delivery, however it is not in a casing. Can I prepare same way?
Is it just like a breast or thighs meat? You can roll them into similar shape roast with kitchen twine and then follow the recipe, yes! 🙂
Just bought one of these after our 10 guests for Thanksgiving canceled because of Covid fears. 😕 We found another friend who will use the large turkey we had purchased, so that’s good, but I didn’t know how to make the small roast. Now I’ve got a reliable source for a way to cook the small roast ! Thanks so much for a timely post !
You are very welcome Susan!