Oven Roasted Turkey Breast with spices, herbs, garlic and lemon zest! Tender juicy breast meat with crispy flavorful skin, it’s a simple alternative to a full-sized turkey, perfect for smaller families!
Here’s a simple recipe for Oven Roasted Turkey Breast seasoned with herbs and spices and roasted over a pan of veggies. A delicious one-pan meal perfect for Sunday suppers or the holiday table.
There are times in life when we find ourselves on our own for Thanksgiving. Whether we choose this for our own personal sanity, because of travel logistics, because of illness, or loss, we still can still feel and participate in the spirit of the day.
For me personally, this starts by holding my dear ones in my heart, those here, and those no longer. Brian and I over the years have lost both sets of parents and others too. We all experience loss, and our foundations get jostled. Our family dynamics change.
But the peaceful, quiet, loving place in our hearts remains. My hope is that we all can tap into this state of being within ourselves, no matter what our external environment brings this Thanksgiving. Cheers friends. Love and hugs.
Cooking a delicious and juicy 5 lb turkey breast may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be with the right techniques. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner or simply craving some turkey, this complete guide will walk you through how to cook a perfect 5 lb turkey breast every time.
Why Cook a 5 lb Turkey Breast?
There are several advantages to preparing a 5 lb bone-in turkey breast rather than a whole turkey
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Feeds 4-6 people – A 5 lb turkey breast provides the ideal amount of meat for a smaller gathering of 4-6 people. No huge leftovers to deal with.
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Faster cooking time – A 5 lb breast roasts in just 1 1/2 – 2 hours while a whole turkey can take over 4 hours to cook
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Easier preparation – Seasoning and roasting a whole turkey can be complex but a breast is much simpler.
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Guaranteed white meat – You get the two tender, mild breast fillets without any dark leg meat.
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Crispier skin – With direct high heat contact, the breast skin gets ultra crispy and browned.
How to Choose the Right Turkey Breast
When shopping, look for:
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Bone-in, skin-on – This provides the most moisture and flavor. Go skinless if avoiding fat.
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Approximately 5 lbs – Anywhere from 4.5 – 5.5 lbs works well. Over 6 lbs may not fit in your roasting pan.
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Fresh or frozen – Either is fine as long as completely thawed if frozen.
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Free range or organic – Choose these options for a more natural, premium turkey breast.
Seasoning and Preparing the Breast
Proper prep is key for a juicy 5 lb turkey breast with crisped skin:
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Pat the breast dry – Use paper towels to remove excess moisture so the skin crisps up.
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Loosen the skin – Gently loosen the skin from the meat without detaching completely.
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Rub with oil – Coat the meat under skin with olive or avocado oil to prevent drying out.
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Season all over – Rub the oiled meat and skin with salt, pepper and any other spices desired.
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Insert aromatics – Place herbs, citrus, garlic or onions inside the cavity for extra flavor.
How to Roast a 5 lb Turkey Breast
Follow these simple steps:
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Prep breast & preheat oven – Complete seasoning and aromatics steps above. Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Use a roasting rack – Place breast on a rack in a roasting pan to allow air circulation.
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Roast at 350°F – Calculate 15-18 mins per lb, so 75-90 mins for a 5 lb breast until 165°F.
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Rotate pan halfway – Rotate the pan during cooking for even browning.
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Check temperature – Use an instant read thermometer for doneness, not just cook time.
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Let rest before slicing – Allow to rest 15-30 mins for moist, tender slices.
Roasting Pan Options
You can use:
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A traditional roasting pan with rack
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A rimmed baking sheet with cooling rack
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A foil disposable pan with a rack
The key is the raised rack for air flow under the breast. If oven space is tight, roast breast-side up in a baking dish without a rack.
Monitoring the Internal Temperature
During roasting, check the temperature often, avoiding the bone. Verify the innermost section reaches 165°F for food safety.
If the skin browns too quickly, loosely tent foil over the breast and continue roasting until 165°F is reached.
Letting the breast rest allows juices to redistribute before slicing. The internal temperature increases 5-10°F during resting.
Flavoring Your Turkey Breast
For amazing flavor, try:
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Herb butter – Soften butter with chopped herbs and spread under skin.
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Spice rub – Make a rub with brown sugar, spices, garlic, and oil to coat breast.
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Citrus and herbs – Stuff halved lemons, oranges or herbs in the cavity.
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Aromatic vegetables – Place onions, garlic, or veggies in the cavity.
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Brining – Soak the breast overnight in a salt-sugar brine for extra moisture.
Carving and Serving the Breast
Once rested, follow these steps:
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Slice across the grain – Use a sharp knife to slice carefully into thin cutlets.
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Serve with pan juices – Spoon any juices from the roasting pan over the sliced breast.
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Pair with gravy – Offer gravy made from the drippings alongside the turkey.
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Garnish with herbs – Sprinkle sliced turkey with parsley, thyme or other fresh herbs.
With this foolproof method, you’ll be able to skip the headache of wrestling a whole turkey and enjoy a perfectly cooked 5 lb turkey breast any time of year. Impress your guests with juicy, flavorful holiday turkey in just 90 minutes!
How to make Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
Place a bed of chopped vegetables, tossed with olive oil and pepper, in a large roasting pan as the foundation for the Turkey breast. The drippings will help season the veggies!
Make the flavorful spice rub: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried herbs, fresh herbs, lemon zest and paprika.
Add olive oil or melted butter to create a thick paste.
Brush this flavorful paste on all sides of the turkey breast. 
Nestle the turkey into the veggies.
Bake at 375F for 20 minutes per pound of turkey or until the breast registers 160F at the thickest part.
When it comes out it will be beautifully golden and the veggies will be tender.
Let the Turkey Breast 5-10 minutes before slicing.
Save the bones and make a bone broth the next day. A beautiful base for your next soup!
Hope you have a lovely week,
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a 5 pound turkey breast?
| Estimated Roasting Time†† | ||
|---|---|---|
| Weight in Lbs. | Roasting Time at 350° | Slow Cooker Time on Low |
| 3-5 lbs. | 1-2¼ hours | 5-6 hours |
| 5-7 lbs. | 2¼-3 hours | 6-7 hours |
| 7-9 lbs. | 3-3½ hours | 7-8 hours |
Is it better to cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350?
Is it better to cook a bone-in turkey breast at 325 or 350 degrees? Cook a bone-in turkey breast at 350°F. It will typically take 12-15 minutes per pound. So an 8-9 lb bone-in turkey breast will roast for 1 ½ to 2 hours (90 to 120 minutes).
How many adults will a 5 lb turkey breast feed?
8 people = 4 pound turkey breast. 10 people = 5 pound turkey breast. 16 people = 8 pound turkey breast.
Should you bake a turkey breast covered or uncovered?
Should a turkey breast be roasted covered or uncovered? You should roast the turkey breast uncovered to get a good, crispy skin with a deep golden-brown color. If it starts to get too dark, just make a tent out of foil and lightly rest it on the turkey to keep it from burning on the outside.
How to cook a 5 pound turkey breast?
With these tips, you can easily cook a delicious and juicy 5-pound turkey breast that will impress your guests. 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. In a large bowl, combine the turkey breast, olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme. Rub the mixture all over the turkey breast.
How big should a turkey breast be?
Turkey breasts are sold bone-in or boneless. For the best flavor and texture, go for a: Bone-in turkey breast: More flavorful and juicy than boneless. Ideal weight is 4-6 lbs for 4-6 servings. Boneless turkey breast: Quicker cooking but can dry out. Get a 2 lb breast for 3-4 servings. Make sure the breast isshaped evenly so it cooks evenly.
How long do you cook a 2 pound turkey breast?
2- to 2½-pound bone-in turkey breast half: Roast at 325°F for 60 to 70 minutes. 2½- to 3-pound boneless turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 40 to 60 minutes. 4- to 6-pound whole turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 1½ to 2¼ hours. 6- to 8-pound whole turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 2¼ to 3¼ hours. Should I cook my turkey breast covered or uncovered?
How do you make a 5 lb turkey breast more flavorful?
There are many ways to make a 5 lb turkey breast more flavorful, including: * Rub the turkey breast with a flavorful spice rub. This will add flavor to the meat. * Marinate the turkey breast in a flavorful marinade. This will tenderize the meat and add flavor. * Stuff the turkey breast with flavorful ingredients.
How long does it take to roast a turkey breast?
A good rule of thumb is to roast turkey breast for approximately 20 minutes per pound for bone-in, or 15 minutes per pound for boneless. For a 5 pound bone-in turkey, this would be 1 hour and 40 minutes. For different boneless and bone-in weights, use the time chart below for approximate times: Use room temperature ingredients.
Should you cook a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey?
There’s several good reasons to cook a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey: Smaller size: At around 5 lbs, a bone-in breast easily feeds 4-6 people without insane leftovers. It fits nicely in a smaller oven too. Quicker cooking: A 5 lb breast roasts in only 90 minutes to 2 hours versus 4+ hours for a whole bird.