Cooking Two Turkey Breasts Together: The Ultimate Guide

Cooking two turkey breasts together can seem daunting but it doesn’t have to be! With some simple tips and techniques you can easily roast two juicy, flavorful turkey breasts at the same time.

Why Cook Two Turkey Breasts Together?

There are several great reasons to cook two turkey breasts together

• It’s an easy way to prepare enough turkey meat for a crowd or big family. Two breasts provide ample white meat for sandwiches, casseroles, salads and more.

• Cooking two breasts is faster than cooking a whole turkey. The breasts cook more quickly than a whole bird.

• You get all white meat. For turkey lovers who prefer white over dark meat, two breasts are ideal

• It frees up oven space. Roasting two breasts takes up less room than a large whole turkey.

• The breasts cook evenly. Placed side by side, the two breasts will cook through at the same rate.

Choosing Your Turkey Breasts

• Opt for two breasts of similar size, ideally within 1/2 pound of each other. This helps them cook evenly.

• Allow 1/2 pound of turkey per person when selecting two breasts for a group.

• Make sure the breasts are fresh, not frozen. Frozen breasts require thawing first.

• Breasts with the skin on will be more flavorful and juicy.

Preparing the Turkey Breasts for Roasting

Proper prep ensures moist, delicious results:

• Pat the breasts dry with paper towels. Dry skin crisps up better.

• Loosen the skin from the meat and rub butter or oil underneath. This bastes the meat from inside.

• Season the breasts liberally with salt, pepper and any other spices desired. Herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage are nice.

• Allow the seasoned breasts to sit at room temperature 30 minutes before cooking.

Roasting Two Breasts Together

Roasting two breasts together is easy. Follow these simple steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat a shallow roasting pan in the oven as it preheats.

• Place breasts skin side up in the hot pan. Pour 1 cup broth or water in the bottom of the pan to keep moist.

• Roast breasts for about 1 3/4 to 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the pan juices.

• Test temperature in thickest part with a meat thermometer. Turkey is done at 165°F.

• Let breasts rest 10-15 minutes before slicing. The temperature will rise another 10 degrees as it rests.

Roasting Tips

• Cook stuffing separately for food safety.

• Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness. Judge by temperature, not time.

• Baste frequently with pan drippings to keep the meat moist and skin crisp.

• If breasts start browning too fast, loosely tent foil over them.

• Let breasts rest before slicing to allow juices to be reabsorbed.

Flavoring Your Turkey Breasts

In addition to salt, pepper and herbs, try these easy flavor ideas:

• Coat with mustard, chili powder or Cajun seasoning before roasting.

• Spread a layer of pesto or tapenade under the skin before cooking.

• Place slices of citrus like lemon or orange inside the cavity.

• Rub the skin with a mixture of butter, garlic and rosemary.

• Stuff fresh herb sprigs and garlic cloves under the skin.

• Brush with a sweet glaze the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Serving and Leftovers

• Slice the rested turkey into pieces for serving.

• Serve with classic sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and veggies.

• Pile slices on sandwiches, in salads or rice bowls.

• Dice or shred leftover turkey to use in casseroles, soups and pasta dishes all week.

Recipes for Roasted Turkey Breasts

For delicious turkey breast recipes, try:

Simple Seasoned Roasted Turkey Breasts

• 2 3-lb turkey breasts
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp each salt, pepper, thyme

Rub oil and seasonings on breasts. Roast at 325°F until 165°F internally, about 1 3/4 hours.

Pesto Turkey Breasts

• 2 2-lb turkey breasts
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Loosen skin on breasts and rub pesto and garlic underneath. Roast at 325°F to 165°F, 1 1/2 hours.

Maple Glazed Turkey Breasts

• 2 4-lb turkey breasts
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

Brush maple glaze (syrup + mustard) on breasts last 30 minutes of roasting. Roast approximately 2 hours.

Cooking Two Turkey Breasts Together is Easy

With good preparation and by following roast times and temperatures, you can easily cook two moist, juicy turkey breasts together. In no time, you’ll have ample delicious turkey meat ready for your holiday table or for versatile meals all week long. Give this method a try for your next turkey dinner!