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Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and turkey one of my favorite foods. In the past, I would only bake a turkey for the holiday. A few years ago I saw a bone-in turkey breast in the freezer at the local grocer and decided to give it a try. Now I make a baked turkey breast a couple of times a year.
Choosing a bone-in turkey breast provides a better texture and flavor than boneless turkey breasts. With not much more fuss in preparation, you will have a flavorful meal. Serve with the usual side dishes of mashed potatoes and gravy and peas.
Oven-Baked Turkey Breast Tips
Baking a turkey breast is simple. Thawing it can be a challenge. I follow the directions on the label.
Typically, I pull the breast out of the freezer 3 days prior to when I plan my meal. I place the breast (in its covering) in a pan and move to the refrigerator to thaw.
On the day I plan to bake the turkey, I pull it out of the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for about an hour. Then I rinse to remove any remaining ice in the inside cavity.
I season the turkey and pop it in the oven. I love the smell of my house while this turkey is baking. Thanksgiving all over again.
Turkey should be baked until it reaches a temperature of 165 degrees in the thickest part of the breast or the inner thigh.1
When the turkey is done and comes out of the over it is moist and delicious. Just like the bird we eat on Thanksgiving.
Turkey Leftovers
I always purchase a turkey breast larger than what we need for one meal. This helps me with meal planning. I use the leftover turkey meat to make turkey tetrazzini or a pasta dish and freeze the remainder to make a couple of batches of soup. One of my favorite soups is Hearty Turkey Wild Rice Soup. Get the recipe here.
Not much goes to waste with a turkey, I even use the bones to make turkey bone broth. If you have never made bone broth, it is very easy in the slow cooker. Take I look at my recipe for bone broth here.
Favorite Sides for Baked Turkey Breast
Try my Healthy Cranberry Sauce Recipe made with fresh ingredients. Other easy sides include Roasted Acorn Squash, and Gouda Sauced Broccoli and Cauliflower. Finish with a salad and you have a healthy Oven-Baked Turkey Breast Meal.
Juicy Baked Turkey Breast
Equipment
- Electric Knife
Ingredients
- 12 lb turkey breast bone in
- 1 onion
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4-1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp rosemary dried
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Follow package directions to thaw turkey.
- When ready to roast the turkey, heat oven to 450 degrees.
- Rinse the turkey under cold water. Pat dry.
- Cut onion into quarters and place in turkey cavity.
- Sprinkle turkey cavity with garlic salt,pepper, rosemary, and paprika.
- Sprinkle with a 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
- Rub outside of turkey with olive oil and season lightly with garlic salt and pepper.
- Place turkey on the lower rack of the oven.
- Bake for 30 minutes and then lower oven temperature to 325 degrees.
- Baste with turkey drippings every 30 minutes.
- Place a piece of foil lightly over the top of the turkey to control browning.
- Based on the weight of the turkey. Roast for 3- 4 hours or until a temperature probe registers 165 degrees in the thickest part of the thigh and breast.
- Remove turkey from oven and let rest for 15 minutes prior to carving.
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