Turkey is the main dish at Thanksgiving, so it’s important to get it right. This easy, foolproof, and delicious Roast Turkey Recipe will help you do just that. This has a crisp, salty skin with a flavor-packed, juicy center. You’ll love my trick for a tender turkey breast every time.
Don’t be afraid to try something new in the kitchen, like the “year’s most important dish,” the Thanksgiving turkey. You can’t go wrong by adding this roast turkey recipe to your menu. It’s fantastic.
Juicy, tender turkey breast makes for a delicious meal any time of year. But getting lean breast meat to come out moist can be tricky. With the right simple techniques you can bake turkey breast at home with incredibly succulent results every time.
Follow these helpful tips and tricks for baking foolproof moist turkey breast in your oven.
Why Turkey Breast Dries Out When Baked
Turkey breast is extremely lean and prone to drying out, especially when exposed to dry oven heat. Some common causes of dry turkey breast include:
- Overcooking – Once temperature exceeds 165°F, moisture is squeezed out
- Uneven heating – Thick parts overcook before thinner areas are done
- No brining/marinating – Essential for adding flavorful moisture
- High oven temperature – Quickly tightens proteins and expels juices
- Skipping resting time – Juices don’t redistribute after cooking
With care and the right methods you can prevent these pitfalls for deliciously moist oven-baked turkey breast.
Essential Tools for Baking Moist Turkey Breast
You only need a few basic kitchen tools on hand for baking juicy turkey breast:
- Roasting pan or baking dish – Allows air circulation for even heating
- Aluminum foil – Creates a tent to trap in moisture
- Meat thermometer – Monitors temperature to prevent overcooking
- Basting brush – Helps coat with juices to keep meat moist
Having the right gear makes all the difference for tender, flavorful results.
Step 1: Choose Bone-In Turkey Breast
Opt for bone-in whole turkey breast whenever possible. The bone conducts heat more evenly and adds lots of flavor. Plan roughly 1-1.5 pounds of meat per person.
Step 2: Brine the Breast Overnight
Soaking the raw breast in a saltwater brine seasons the meat and helps it retain moisture Dissolve 1/2 cup salt in 2 quarts cold water Submerge breast and refrigerate 8-12 hours.
Step 3: Pat Turkey Dry and Let Stand
Remove breast from brine and rinse under cold water. Pat very dry with paper towels. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before roasting.
Step 4: Preheat Oven to 325°F
High oven heat causes proteins to contract, squeezing out natural juices. Preheat to no higher than 325°F for gentle, even heating.
Step 5: Roast Breast Skin-Side Up
Place breast skin-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Tent loosely with foil to trap in steam. Roast at 325°F for roughly 15 minutes per pound.
Step 6: Check Temperature with Meat Thermometer
Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of breast without touching bone. Remove from oven at 160°F for carryover cooking up to 165°F.
Step 7: Loosely Tent and Let Rest 15 Minutes
The resting time allows juices to redistribute for moist meat throughout. Keep breast tented in foil so it stays warm.
Handy Tips for Baked Turkey Breast
Follow these useful tips for foolproof juicy turkey breast:
- Brine breast in saltwater overnight
- Use a roasting pan and rack for air circulation
- Roast at 325°F and tent breast with foil
- Monitor temperature using a meat thermometer
- Let rest 15 minutes before slicing to serve
Common Baking Mistakes
It’s easy to dry out turkey breast if you make these typical errors:
- Skipping brining or marinating
- Roasting at high temperatures over 350°F
- Not monitoring internal temperature
- Letting temperature exceed 165°F
- Neglecting to let breast rest after baking
Being mindful helps avoid these missteps for tender, juicy meat every time.
Serving and Leftover Ideas
Moist oven-baked turkey breast pairs deliciously in:
- Sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing
- Chopped in salad with nuts and berries
- Wraps with veggies, cheese and hummus
- Tacos or enchiladas for a protein punch
- Casserole dishes like turkey tetrazzini
- Hearty soups to feed a crowd
It also stores well as leftovers all week long. Simply reheat slices gently in the oven or microwave.
Enjoy Bakery-Fresh Flavor at Home
With the right slow roasting method and a little patience, you can bake incredibly moist and tender turkey breast easily at home.
Let your thermometer be your guide for the ideal finish temperature. Then relax and enjoy bakery-fresh turkey flavor anytime with leftovers.
To Cook a Larger Turkey:
Many of you have asked about using a larger turkey. One of my readers, Shannon, shares her experience with a 23-pound turkey (Thanks Shannon!):
“I made this recipe last night with a 23-pound turkey, and it turned out great!! I used 3 sticks of butter, 1 cup of parsley, and the zest and juice of 2 lemons that I cut into quarters for the stuffing.” Kept one big onion peeled Cooked at 430 for 20 min and then 350 for about 5 1/2 hours, basting occasionally. I used the tin foil hat and had to make a few more tin foil pieces to cover the legs that were getting too hot. To get a nice browned top, I took off the tin foil hat with 10 minutes left to cook. Had tons of drippings to make a delicious gravy with. Will use this recipe every year! So flavorful and yummy. Thank you”.
For the Turkey Stuffing
I like to cook the stuffing for the turkey separately, so I stuff my turkey with aromatics instead (which makes the gravy taste great). If you do use traditional stuffing, make sure the turkey reaches 165˚F in the middle.
- 1 large onion, quartered (no peeling)
- 4 garlic cloves, halved (no peeling)
- 1/2 bunch parsley
- 1 lemon, quartered
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
How do you keep turkey breasts from drying out?
What is the best temperature for moist turkey breast?
What is the secret to a moist turkey?
Is it better to cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350?
How do you keep a turkey breast moist when baking?
To achieve that, place a wire rack on a baking sheet, and then place the turkey breast on the wire rack. Place chicken stock in the baking sheet as well. The stock will evaporate and help keep the turkey breast moist as it bakes. Loosely cover the top of the turkey breast. This will help to keep the turkey breast moist as well.
How do you cook a kosher turkey breast?
Remove the whole turkey breast from the original packaging and pat dry with clean paper towels. Rub down the outside of the turkey with softened butter or herb butter. Mix the kosher salt and pepper in a small bowl and generously sprinkle on your bird. Place on roasting pan and bake on the middle oven rack at 325 degrees F.
How do you cook a roasted turkey breast?
Easy juicy roasted turkey breast is the PERFECT holiday dinner, minus the headachetender meat, crispy skin, and a layer of roasted onions. Wash and pat dry turkey with paper towels. Brush both sides of turkey breast with melted butter. Rub on salt, pepper, and thyme. On a roasting pan, add sliced onions and olive oil. Toss to coat.
How do you cook a tender turkey breast?
This turkey breast recipe is tender and moist on the inside, with a deliciously seasoned coating on the outside. In a small bowl, combine the cayenne pepper, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, bouillon powder, salt, and black pepper. Pat the turkey breasts dry with a paper towel and massage with olive oil followed by the mixed spices.
How do you cook a 3 pound turkey breast?
With its crispy skin and tender, juicy meat, your whole family is going to love this one! Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place a 3 to 8 pound turkey breast skin side up on the rack of a roasting pan, or into a lightly greased 9×13 pan.
How do you cook a juicy turkey breast?
Juicy Turkey Breast Recipe – a classic, tried-and-true roasted turkey breast that is always a crowd-pleaser (and so easy to make)! Ensure turkey breast is fully thawed. Remove from package (ensure to remove any gravy packet from cavity) and place on a large plate. Pat dry with a clean paper towel and place on a roasting pan with a roasting rack.