Cooking a 9 lb turkey breast may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be with the right techniques. A properly cooked turkey breast is moist, juicy and packed with flavor – not dry and tasteless. Follow these tips for getting perfect results every time.
Overview of Approximate Cook Times
As a general rule of thumb, bone-in turkey breasts take about 20 minutes per pound to reach safe minimum internal temperature when roasted in a 350°F oven. This means a 9 lb turkey breast will need around 3 hours to finish cooking.
For boneless breasts, the cook time is a bit faster at around 15 minutes per pound since there is no bone to slow the conduction of heat A 9 lb boneless breast will take roughly 2 to 2 1/4 hours at 350°F.
However, cook times are simply estimates and should not be solely relied upon. The thickness, shape and brining of each breast can impact total cooking time. Let an instant-read meat thermometer be the deciding factor on when your turkey breast is fully cooked and ready to come out of the oven.
Why Cook Times Can Vary
There are several factors that influence total cook times
-
Bone-in vs Boneless – Bones conduct heat slower than meat and insulate nearby meat. Boneless cooks faster.
-
Size and Shape – Short, fat breasts cook quicker than long, slender ones of equal weight.
-
Frozen vs Thawed – Frozen breasts require much longer cook time. Always thaw first.
-
Brined or Unbrined – Brined turkey cooks slightly faster since brining tenderizes the meat.
-
Oven Temperature – Higher temps decrease cook time while lower temps increase it.
-
Stuffing – Stuffed breasts take longer as stuffing must reach safe temp too.
Tips for Reducing Cook Time
If you want to decrease the cook time for a 9 lb turkey breast, here are some tips:
-
Butterfly the breast – Cutting it open exposes more surface area.
-
Increase oven temp – Cook at 375°F or 400°F instead of 350°F. Watch closely to avoid burning.
-
Grill or smoke the breast – Grilling and smoking tend to cook faster.
-
Use an oven-safe meat thermometer – Allows raising temp at end once breast is nearly done.
-
Cut into smaller pieces – Halving breast reduces cook time for each piece.
-
Cook boneless – Removing bone eliminates its insulating effect.
Step-by-Step Guide to Roasting a Turkey Breast
Follow these simple steps for roasting a moist, delicious 9 lb turkey breast:
1. Thaw the Turkey Breast
Always thaw frozen turkey breast thoroughly in the refrigerator allowing 1 day per 5 lbs. A 9 lb breast needs about 2 days to thaw completely.
Once thawed, remove from packaging and pat dry. Let sit at room temperature as oven preheats.
2. Prepare the Breast
-
Remove skin for lower fat if desired. Leave for added moisture and flavor.
-
Rinse breast and pat dry again.
-
Trim excess fat and skin.
-
Make 2-3 shallow cuts in thickest section to help seasonings penetrate.
-
Rub breast all over with olive oil or melted butter to aid browning.
3. Apply Seasoning Rub
Coat breast evenly with preferred rub. Gently loosen skin and rub seasoning under skin too.
4. Insert Meat Thermometer
Insert oven-safe meat thermometer into thickest part without hitting bone.
5. Roast Turkey Breast
Place breast on rack in roasting pan. Roast at 350°F until thermometer reaches 165°F. Around 3 hours for a 9 lb breast.
6. Let Turkey Rest
When it reaches 165°F, remove turkey from oven, tent with foil and let rest 15-20 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
And that’s it! Follow these tips and your 9 lb turkey breast will turn out moist and delicious every time. Trust the thermometer for perfect results. Enjoy your beautiful roast turkey breast!
The Best Way to Roast a Turkey? Breast Side Down
The main difference between how my mother makes her turkey and everyone else is to cook it breast side down. By cooking the turkey this way, the juices from the cooking turkey fall into the breast while the turkey cooks, resulting in the most succulent breast imaginable.
The thighs are more exposed to the heat in this method as well, which is good since dark meat takes longer to cook than white meat.
If you cook the bird breast down, the turkey skin over the breast will not brown well. If you want browning on the breast, youll need to turn the turkey over in the pan and to brown it in the last few minutes of cooking. We rarely bother with turning the turkey over, since we carve up the turkey in the kitchen before bringing it out, and there is plenty of crispy turkey skin on the rest of the turkey.
In the years since we first posted this recipe, we still cook our turkeys breast side down, and theyre still wonderful. If the turkey is small enough, sometimes Ill flip it over near the end to get the breast side browned. But usually, like my mom, Ill just roast it the whole time breast down.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__simply_recipes__uploads__2020__11__Moms-Roast-Turkey-LEAD-5-b12b705ad8b84695ba865b34969786e8.jpg)
How to Defrost a Turkey
Cooking a turkey is pretty straightforward, but you do need to plan ahead. Given that it can take several hours to roast, the turkey needs time beforehand (days if you need to defrost) to lose the chill from the refrigerator.
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.
So if you have a 15 pound turkey, it should take about 75 hours, or 3 days, to defrost in the refrigerator. A 20 pound turkey will take about 100 hours, or 4 days, to defrost.
If your turkey is still partially frozen the day you plan to cook it, clean out the basin of your sink, fill it with cool water and place the turkey in it. Change the water every half hour until the turkey is defrosted.
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
How long will it take to cook a 9 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 long to cook a 9 lb butterball turkey breast?
| Weight | Cook Time (Unstuffed) | Cook Time (Stuffed) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5½ lbs. | 1½-2¼ hrs. | 2-2¾ hrs. |
| 5½-9 lbs. | 2¼-2¾ hrs. | 2¾-3¼ hrs. |
How long to cook 9lb turkey at 350 degrees?
- 8–12 lb. turkey: 1¾–3 hours.
- 12–14 lb. turkey: 3–3¼ hours.
- 15–16 lb. turkey: 3½–3¾ hours.
- 18–20 lb. turkey: 4–4¼ hours.
- 21–22 lb. turkey: 4½–4¾ hours.
How long do you cook a 9 lb 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. How long to cook a 9 lb Butterball turkey breast?
What temperature do you cook a 9 lb turkey breast?
Turkey cooking times may vary based on the oven, altitude, and variations in the turkey’s size and shape, so using a meat thermometer is crucial to check the internal temperature. The ideal internal temperature for a fully cooked turkey breast is 165°F (74°C). 1. Can I cook a 9 lb turkey breast in a slow cooker?
How do you cook a 9 lb turkey breast in a slow cooker?
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Rub the mixture all over the turkey breast. 4. Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan and roast it for 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Q: How do I cook a 9 lb turkey breast in a slow cooker? 1.
How much does it cost to cook a 9 lb turkey breast?
The cost of cooking a 9 lb turkey breast will vary depending on the price of the turkey breast, the cost of the ingredients for the stuffing and gravy, and the cost of the electricity to cook the turkey breast. However, you can expect to spend around $20-$30 to cook a 9 lb turkey breast.
How long does it take to cook a 9 pound turkey?
cooking a 9-pound turkey is a simple process that can be completed in a few hours. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can be sure that your turkey will be cooked to perfection and enjoyed by all of your guests. Here are a few key takeaways to remember when cooking a turkey:
How long do you cook a turkey breast in a crock pot?
Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan. Cover the turkey breast with aluminum foil. Roast the turkey breast for 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let the turkey breast rest for 15 minutes before carving. When choosing a turkey breast for your next holiday meal, there are a few factors to consider.