How Long to Bake a Stuffed Turkey Breast for Maximum Juiciness and Flavor
Cooking a stuffed turkey breast can seem daunting for many home cooks. Unlike cooking a whole turkey, getting the right bake time for just the breast can require a bit more finesse. Undercook it and you risk food safety issues, but overcook it and you’ll end up with dry, stringy meat. No one wants an overcooked holiday centerpiece!
The good news is that by following some simple guidelines you can easily determine how long to bake a stuffed turkey breast so it turns out moist delicious and picture perfect. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know for stuffed turkey breast success.
Estimating Bake Times Based on Weight
The most important factor in determining bake time is the weight and size of the turkey breast. Here are some general timeframes to follow:
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For a 3 to 4 pound stuffed turkey breast, bake for approximately 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours.
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For a 5 to 7 pound breast, plan on baking for 1 1⁄2 to 2 hours.
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Larger turkey breasts over 7 pounds may need up to 2 – 2 1⁄2 hours of baking time.
Keep in mind that just like cooking a whole turkey, a stuffed breast should be checked with a meat thermometer for doneness instead of relying solely on time. But these estimates provide a helpful starting point.
Key Tips for Baking the Perfect Stuffed Turkey Breast
Follow these best practices when baking your stuffed turkey breast:
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Preheat oven to 350°F to ensure even cooking. High heat can dry out the lean turkey meat.
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Truss the turkey breast with kitchen twine to hold the stuffing in and enable even cooking. Ask the butcher to truss it or do it yourself.
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Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp, avoiding the bone. Cook to 160-165°F for food safety.
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Tent the breast loosely with foil during the last third of estimated cook time to prevent over-browning.
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Baste every 30 minutes with melted butter, turkey stock or chicken broth to keep it incredibly moist.
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Allow 10-15 minutes of resting time before slicing so juices redistribute.
Calculating Exact Bake Times Per Pound
For the most precise stuffed turkey breast bake time, use this simple calculation:
Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes per pound.
So for a specific example:
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A 3 lb stuffed breast bakes for 45-60 minutes total.
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A 6 lb breast bakes for 90-120 minutes.
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An 8 lb breast bakes for 120-160 minutes.
Checking these estimated bake times with a meat thermometer is ideal for perfect doneness. But this per pound method takes the guesswork out of how long your stuffed breast should initially bake.
Factors That Can Increase or Decrease Bake Time
Several factors can alter how long your stuffed turkey breast needs to bake such as:
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Size and shape – Heavier and thicker breasts take more time.
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Added ingredients – Cheese and bacon make cook time longer.
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Cooking method – Oven roasting takes longer than grilling.
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Oven temperature – Higher heat cooks turkey faster.
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Stuffing ingredients – Wet, dense items extend bake time.
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Brining – Soaking in a saltwater brine reduces cook time.
How to Tell If Your Stuffed Turkey Breast Is Undercooked
Using an instant-read thermometer is the best and safest way to test for doneness. If it hasn’t yet reached 160°F at the thickest area, it needs more baking time.
You may also notice these signs your stuffed breast is undercooked:
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Pink, bloody or gelatinous juices
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Raw, mushy stuffing texture
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Soft, rubbery meat that feels uncooked
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Translucent appearance rather than opaque
If you notice these, continue baking until the thermometer shows it’s fully cooked. Consuming undercooked poultry can cause serious foodborne illness. Don’t take risks.
What If Your Turkey Breast Is Overcooked?
While food safety is the priority, overcooking also leads to unsatisfying results. Here are some signs your stuffed turkey breast is overbaked:
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Internal temp over 170°F
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Very firm, dry meat texture
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Chewy, stringy appearance
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Dry, crumbly stuffing
If your stuffed breast is slightly overcooked, try carving away any badly dried portions and douse it with lots of turkey gravy, broth or sauce to provide moisture. The leftovers will also be great for sandwiches or casseroles.
Mastering the Perfectly Baked Stuffed Turkey Breast
Learning how long to bake a stuffed turkey breast takes some experimentation to get it just right. Follow the tips here for weight-based bake times, use your thermometer diligently, and watch for visual doneness cues. With practice, you’ll be able to bake a juicy, delicious stuffed turkey breast worthy of any special occasion. Your holiday feasts or elegant dinner parties will be taken to new levels with this impressive centerpiece dish.
Cook the stuffing outside the turkey.
For uniform cooking results, the USDA recommends cooking the stuffing outside of the bird. If you insist on stuffing the turkey, stuff loosely and follow the steps below.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Check the wrapper to see how much the turkey weighs and determine approximate cooking time (see chart below). Remove the giblet bag from the breast and remove the neck from the turkey cavity. No need to wash the turkey, pat skin dry with paper towels.
- Mix stuffing and lightly fill cavity. Allow 1/2 to 3/4 cup stuffing per pound of turkey. It is safer to understuff than to overstuff the turkey. Stuffing expands during cooking. Refrigerate any leftover stuffing and bake in greased casserole during the last hour of turkey roasting time.
- Place turkey breast side up on a rack in a shallow (about 2 inches deep) roasting pan. Insert meat thermometer in thigh (see Turkey Safety: Using a Thermometer). Add up to 1/2 cup water to the bottom of the pan, if desired.
- Cover turkey loosely with a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Cooking time takes longer for a stuffed turkey. For example, a 20 pound stuffed turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 1/4 hours to cook. (See timetable below).
- Remove the foil cover after about 1 to 1 1/2 hours of cooking to brown the skin. Brush with vegetable oil to enhance browning, if desired.
- A whole turkey is done when the temperature in the innermost part of the thigh reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer. Check the temperature in the thickest part of the breast, the wing and the stuffing. The stuffing must reach 165°F or higher, if it is not, return it to the oven and continue cooking.
- Check the internal temperature of the stuffing. Insert the thermometer through the cavity into the thickest part of the stuffing and leave it for 5 minutes. Or use an instant red thermometer which will register the temperature after 15 seconds. The stuffing temperature will rise a few degrees after the turkey is removed from the oven. If the center of the stuffing has not reached 165°F after stand time, return the turkey to the oven and continue cooking.
- Allow turkey to set 20 minutes before removing stuffing and carving to allow juices to saturate the meat evenly.
Martha Stewart Shows How to Make Stuffed Turkey Breast | Martha Stewart
FAQ
Do you cook a stuffed turkey at 325 or 350?
A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed turkey. Roast a stuffed turkey for 15 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).Nov 6, 2024
How long do you cook a stuffed turkey breast per pound?
Spread stuffing on top and roll the turkey around the stuffing. Wrap kitchen twine around breast and tie tightly. Place turkey in a roasting pan, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until internal temperature of the turkey breast is 165 degrees F, about 1 hour or 12 to 15 minutes per pound.
How long to cook a stuffed turkey per pound calculator?
| Stuffed | Unstuffed | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 pounds (breast) | 2½ to 3½ hours | 1½ to 3¼ hours |
| 8 to 12 pounds | 3 to 3½ hours | 2¾ to 3 hours |
| 12 to 14 pounds | 3½ to 4 hours | 3 to 3¾ hours |
| 14 to 18 pounds | 4 to 4¼ hours | 3¾ to 4¼ 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).