Unpacking the Difference Between Turkey Breast and Turkey Roast
When shopping for turkey you’ll often see options labeled turkey breast or turkey roast. Though they sound similar, these two turkey cuts actually have some distinct differences. Understanding the unique features of each can help you pick the right turkey meat for your recipe or meal.
In this article, we’ll compare turkey breast vs. turkey roast and breakdown how they vary in anatomy, preparation, flavor, cost, nutrition and more. Let’s dive in!
Anatomy
The first difference is in the literal cut of meat. A whole turkey breast is exactly what it sounds like – the two whole breast halves from a turkey, with bones and skin intact. Turkey breasts are larger, leaner muscles that make up the upper front of the bird.
A turkey roast, on the other hand, refers to a variety of different cuts taken from other areas of the turkey. This may include a whole boneless turkey breast, turkey thighs, drumsticks, or wings. Turkey roasts are typically deboned, rolled and tied into a cylindrical shape for even cooking.
Preparation
Due to the bone-in breast shape, whole turkey breasts require special attention when cooking to ensure even doneness between the thinner ends and thicker center. Slower roasting, partial pre-cooking, or pounding to an even thickness can help achieve consistent results.
The uniform shape of deboned turkey roasts makes them easier to cook evenly, especially if you opt for a rolled and tied boneless breast roast. turkey roasts may cook slightly faster than a large whole breast depending on thickness.
Flavor
Whole bone-in turkey breasts offer the most genuine turkey flavor, similar to eating a slice of Thanksgiving dinner turkey. The bones contribute extra flavor during cooking while the skin provides richness.
With turkey roasts, flavor can vary slightly depending on the cut. Boneless turkey breast roasts will be mildest while thighs and drumsticks have a bit more pronounced dark meat turkey taste. Overall, turkey roast flavor profiles tend to be more muted than whole bone-in breasts.
Cost
Pricing can also differ between these two turkey products, though it depends on the specific type of cut. Whole bone-in turkey breasts are often more expensive per pound compared to boneless turkey breast roasts. Bone-in cuts require more processing labor which increases costs.
On the other hand, roasts made from turkey parts like thighs or drumsticks may be cheaper than a whole breast. The best value will depend on sales, season, and your selected cuts.
Nutrition
When it comes to nutrition, whole turkey breasts are leaner and lower in fat compared to dark meat turkey thighs or drumsticks more commonly used in roasts. Breasts contain around 3 grams of fat per 4 oz serving compared to 9 grams in thigh or leg meat.
However, darker turkey meat is higher in certain nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins. So nutrition can vary greatly based on the exact roast cut. As with any food, it’s about finding balance.
Use Cases
The shape and structure of whole turkey breasts makes them ideal for roasting, grilling, smoking, or any cooking method where presentation is important. The intact breast with bone and skin looks beautiful sliced and served whole for holidays and special meals.
Turkey roasts are extremely versatile for a wide range of everyday cooking needs. The convenient boneless rolls are perfect for weeknight meals, sandwiches, casseroles, and anything where turkey is diced or shredded. The uniform shape also works well for portioning and meal prep.
Leftovers
In terms of leftovers, a whole turkey breast provides bountiful servings that can be easily sliced or chopped for sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salads. The leaner meat tends to stay a bit more moist after reheating.
Leftover turkey roast is also very flexible for repurposing in all kinds of dishes. Having a pre-portioned roast makes leftovers easy to divide up. The lower moisture content of thigh or leg meat means extra care should be taken to prevent dryness when reheating.
Appearance
Visually, whole turkey breasts dressed with skin and bone look the most like what you think of as traditional roast turkey. Seeing the whole breast intact with ribs crossing the top is recognizable to many home cooks.
Deboned turkey roasts often get mistaken for other meats like pork loin roasts or beef roasts to the untrained eye. However, once sliced, the white and dark turkey meat is a dead giveaway.
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How to Defrost a Turkey
Cooking a turkey is pretty straightforward, but you do need to plan ahead. Since roasting can take a long time, the turkey needs to lose its chill from being in the fridge for several days before it is cooked.
If you are buying a frozen turkey, youll need to put it in the refrigerator to defrost. The turkey will need about 5 hours of defrosting time for every pound of turkey.
If you put a 15-pound turkey in the fridge, it should take about 75 hours, or 3 days, to melt away. A 20 pound turkey will take about 100 hours, or 4 days, to defrost.
If you want to cook your turkey the next day but it’s still partly frozen, clean out the sink basin, fill it with cool water, and put the turkey in it. Change the water every half hour until the turkey is defrosted.
How Long to Cook Your Turkey
This is a quick way to guess how long it will take to cook the turkey. Keep in mind that the actual cooking time will depend on your oven and how cold the turkey is to begin with. So check on the turkey WELL BEFORE you think it’s done (at least an hour before).
| Approximate Roasting Times of Turkeys By Weight | |
|---|---|
| Weight, in pounds | Approximate roasting time |
| 10-pound turkey | 2 hours 10 minutes |
| 12-pound turkey | 2 hours 36 minutes |
| 14-pound turkey | 3 hours 2 minutes |
| 16-pound turkey | 3 hours 28 minutes |
| 18-pound turkey | 3 hours 54 minutes |
| 20-pound turkey | 4 hours 20 minutes |
*For other size turkeys, multiply the weight of your turkey by 13 minutes per pound.
The times given are for starting with an oven that is preheated to 400°F for about 20 minutes and then turning down the heat to 325°F for the rest of the cooking time.
This is just a guess! It will take longer to cook your turkey if it is not close to room temperature when you put it in the oven. If it is at room temp, it may take less time to cook. So, check the temperature of your bird earlier than the full cooking time.
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
Is it better to roast a turkey breast or a whole turkey?
What is a turkey roast?
Is butterball turkey breast real turkey?
Is a turkey breast roast processed?
What is the difference between Turkey Breast and Turkey Breast Roast?
Turkey breast roast has a similar flavor to turkey breast, but it is a bit more tender and juicy. It is also a good source of protein and other nutrients. The main difference between turkey breast and turkey breast roast is the way they are prepared. Turkey breast is usually roasted, while turkey breast roast is usually baked.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
What is Turkey Breast Roast?
Turkey breast roast is a smaller cut of meat that comes from the same part of the turkey as the breast. It is usually sold as a whole roast, or it can be cut into smaller pieces. Turkey breast roast has a similar flavor to turkey breast, but it is a bit more tender and juicy. It is also a good source of protein and other nutrients.
Should I roast a whole turkey breast?
Use skin-on, bone-in turkey breast if roasting whole, since it stays juicier when roasted, and its crisp skin boosts flavor and texture. Turkey breast is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165 F. Allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes before carving into slices against the grain and serving.
What is turkey breast?
Turkey breast is a large, boneless cut of meat that comes from the chest of the turkey. It is usually sold as a whole breast, or it can be cut into smaller pieces. Turkey breast is a very popular cut of meat because it is lean and has a mild flavor. It is also a good source of protein and other nutrients.
Is Turkey Breast Roast healthy?
The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3. What is Turkey Breast Roast?