How Many Minutes Per Pound To Cook A Turkey Breast? The Complete Guide

Cooking a juicy and delicious turkey breast seems daunting to many home cooks With its large size and lean meat, it can easily end up dry and flavorless if not prepared properly. However, learning the right timing and technique can result in a tender, juicy turkey breast that makes for incredible sandwiches and leftovers In this complete guide, I’ll walk through exactly how many minutes per pound you should cook a turkey breast to perfection.

Overview of Cooking Times

As a general rule of thumb you should plan on cooking a turkey breast for 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F. However, a few factors can affect the exact cooking time

• Bone-in vs boneless – Bone-in breasts take longer to cook than boneless. Plan for 15-25 minutes per pound for bone-in and 12-15 minutes per pound for boneless.

• Size – Smaller breasts cook faster than larger ones, so a 6 lb breast may need up to 25 minutes per pound while a 2 lb breast may only need 15 minutes per pound.

• Brined vs unbrined – Brining, or soaking the turkey in a saltwater solution, helps it retain moisture but can extend cooking time. Add 5 minutes per pound for brined turkey breasts.

• Stuffed vs unstuffed – Stuffed breasts require more cooking time to ensure the center reaches a safe temperature. Add 10 minutes per pound if stuffed.

Cook Times for Different Weights

To take the guesswork out, here are specific cook times based on the weight of your turkey breast:

• 2-3 lbs: 30-45 minutes
• 4-6 lbs: 60-90 minutes
• 6-8 lbs: 90-120 minutes
• 10-12 lbs: 150-180 minutes
• 14-16 lbs: 210-240 minutes

These times are based on an unbrined, bone-in breast roasted at 350°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to double-check, and cook until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F.

Always let the breast rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing into it. The temperature will continue rising as it rests.

Signs Your Breast is Undercooked

It can be tricky to tell when the turkey is thoroughly cooked, especially with a large breast. Here are a few signs it may need more time in the oven:

• The meat near the bone still has a pink/red tinge
• Juices run pink when you cut into the thickest part
• The breast wobbles and doesn’t feel firm when you move it
• The meat registers below 165°F on a thermometer

If any of these are true, simply pop it back in the oven for 10-15 more minutes until fully cooked through.

Signs Your Breast is Overcooked

While you want to ensure it cooks long enough, going too long can cause the breast to dry out. Watch for these signs you’ve overcooked it:

• The skin is very dark brown or burnt in areas
• The meat feels very firm and dry
• The breast has shrunk visibly and pulled away from the bones

Unfortunately overcooked turkey can’t be fixed. But you can still enjoy tasty slices by ensuring you thoroughly baste and serve with gravy or sauce.

Factors That Affect Cook Time

To guarantee your turkey breast turns out right, it helps to understand what factors can alter the cooking time. Here are a few things that can increase the minutes per pound:

A higher oven temperature – Cooking at a higher temp like 375°F will decrease cook time but can cause the breast to dry out. Stick to 325-350°F for best flavor and texture.

Stuffing the breast – Stuffing adds mass that needs to be cooked through, requiring more time. Add at least 10 minutes per pound if stuffed.

Brining the breast – Soaking in a saltwater brine hydrates the breast but can extend cooking time slightly.

Using an oil-rubbed skin – Rubbing oil under the skin leads to faster browning and may decrease cook time by a few minutes per pound.

Cooking 2 breasts – The oven will need more time to heat back up when you open the door to flip or baste, so cooking 2 breasts will add time.

A thawed vs frozen breast – A frozen breast takes 50-100% longer to fully cook through. Make sure it is fully thawed before cooking.

Cook to Temperature, Not Time

While the minutes per pound guideline helps estimate cooking times, breast size, shape, and density can vary. The only way to guarantee doneness is to use an instant-read meat thermometer.

Test the thickest, densest part of the breast, avoiding the bones. Once the thermometer registers 165°F, your turkey is cooked and safe to eat. If it hasn’t reached 165°F, continue roasting and checking every 15 minutes or so until it hits the target temp.

For best results, let the breast rest about 10-15 minutes before carving. The internal temperature will continue rising 5-10 degrees during this time.

Takeaways

Following these simple tips will help you learn exactly how many minutes per pound you need for cooking a moist, delicious turkey breast:

• Plan for 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F

• Cook times vary based on size, bone-in vs boneless, brined vs unbrined, and stuffed vs unstuffed

• Use an instant-read thermometer to check for 165°F

• Let the breast rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing

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