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Juicy Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast (An Easy Holiday Main!)

The whole, homemade, impressive, and golden-brown Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast being carved as the centerpiece at a fun and sophisticated Thanksgiving party.

A classic and simple recipe for a juicy, Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast, perfect as a smaller-scale centerpiece for a holiday meal like Thanksgiving or Christmas. The dish features a whole, bone-in turkey breast that is generously coated with a savory paste made from fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme, along with garlic, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. A key technique involves smearing half of the herb paste directly under the skin to infuse the meat with flavor as it roasts. The turkey is roasted until the skin is golden brown and served with its own flavorful pan juices.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole bone-in turkey breast, 6 1/2 to 7 pounds
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 cup dry white wine

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the turkey breast, skin side up, on a rack in a roasting pan.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, dry mustard, chopped herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme), salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice to make a paste.
  3. Gently loosen the skin from the turkey meat with your fingers. Smear half of the herb paste directly on the meat, under the skin.
  4. Spread the remaining paste evenly over the skin of the turkey.
  5. Pour the white wine into the bottom of the roasting pan.
  6. Roast the turkey for 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, until the skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165°F. If the skin is over-browning, cover the breast loosely with aluminum foil.
  7. When the turkey is done, transfer it to a cutting board, cover it with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
  8. Slice the turkey and serve with the pan juices spooned over the top.

Notes

  • This is a showstopper main course that is simpler to prepare than a whole turkey, making it perfect for a smaller holiday gathering.
  • Placing the flavorful herb paste *under* the skin is a crucial step that bastes the meat as it cooks, keeping it exceptionally moist and flavorful.
  • Resting the turkey for at least 15 minutes before carving is essential for the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat is tender and not dry.
  • The wine in the bottom of the pan creates steam to keep the turkey moist and also forms the base for a simple, delicious pan sauce.