This roasted turkey breast is coated in a savory garlic and herb butter, then baked to golden brown perfection. The perfect quick and easy option for a holiday meal or everyday dinner!

When I’m feeding a crowd for the holidays, I make a whole roasted turkey. When I’m entertaining a smaller group, I opt for something like roasted cornish hen or roasted turkey breast instead. This is the best turkey breast I’ve ever had, it’s tender, flavorful and juicy – no dry meat here! Don’t forget the Instant Pot cranberry sauce and homemade dinner rolls on the side!

Garlic and herb roasted turkey breast in a baking dish with a rosemary garnish.

I love a good roasted turkey, especially around the holidays. That being said, sometimes it’s just my family of 5 and we don’t want to cook up a whole huge turkey. This roasted turkey breast is the perfect option. It’s super flavorful, quick cooking, and festive for any holiday meal like Christmas or Thanksgiving.

For other variations on this dish, be sure to check out my smoked turkey breast and Instant Pot turkey breast recipes. If you have any leftovers, check out my favorite leftover turkey recipes like turkey casserole, turkey pasta carbonara, turkey tetrazzini and turkey salad.

Roasted Turkey Breast Ingredients

To make roasted turkey breast you will need a turkey breast, butter, garlic, sage leaves, rosemary leaves, thyme leaves, parsley, kosher salt, black pepper and herbs for a garnish.

Ingredients including bowls of butter, garlic and herbs.

How Do You Cook A Turkey Breast?

To make this roasted turkey breast recipe, first make seasoned butter by mixing minced herbs, garlic and seasonings into softened butter in a small bowl. Rub the butter on the turkey breast coating the whole breast. Place your turkey in a baking dish or roasting pan. Roast the turkey at high heat to crisp the skin, then lower the heat to cook everything thoroughly. Baste the turkey occasionally with pan drippings. When the roast reaches the correct internal temperature, remove it. Let it rest, then serve the turkey breast.

Butter, garlic, herbs and seasonings in a mixing bowl.

Tips For The Perfect Turkey

  • You can use a fresh or frozen turkey for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw the turkey before roasting it.
  • Use a meat thermometer to make sure the thickest part of the breast reaches 165 degrees F before serving the meat.
  • You can use a half turkey breast or a whole turkey breast for this recipe. However, a whole turkey breast will take longer to cook. You will want to double the butter mixture to coat a whole breast.
  • If your turkey breast is larger or smaller than the size indicated in the recipe, you can adjust the cook time accordingly. Turkey breast cooks for approximately 20 minutes per pound.
  • Garnish the roasted turkey breast with fresh herbs or even small fruit for a beautiful presentation.
  • Bring out the best in your bird with turkey gravy!

Quick Tip

Rub the butter mixture on top of the turkey skin and under the turkey skin.

A turkey breast coated with garlic and herb butter.

Recipe FAQs

How long does it take to cook a turkey breast?

Typically a bone-in turkey breast takes about 20 minutes per pound to cook in the oven.

How do you know when the turkey is done?

Your turkey breast is done when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165 degrees F. Be careful not to go too far about 165 degrees or you risk your meat being on the dry side. I use an oven safe thermometer probe that stays in the turkey as it cooks so I can continuously monitor the temperature.

How much turkey per person?

The general rule of thumb is to cook one pound of roasted turkey breast per person. If you want plenty of turkey for leftovers, aim for 1 1/2 – 2 pounds per person.

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A roasted turkey breast in a baking dish.

Flavor Variations

If you’re not in the mood for garlic and herbs, try one of these other options to add some flavor to your roasted turkey breast!

  • Mexican: Mix the softened butter with my taco seasoning which includes chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and oregano.
  • Cajun: Mix the softened butter with Cajun seasoning.
  • Bacon Wrapped: Wrap 6-8 strips of bacon around the turkey breast until completely covered. This works best if you remove the turkey skin first.
  • Maple: Add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to the butter mixture.
Sliced roasted turkey breast served with mashed potatoes and vegetables.

This roasted turkey breast is sure to be a huge hit with family and friends. It’s even great for an everyday dinner option on a chilly fall or winter night, comfort food at its finest!

Turkey Breast Side Dishes

Roasted Turkey Breast Video

Love This Recipe?

Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

5 from 121 votes

Roasted Turkey Breast with Garlic and Herbs

AuthorSara Welch
Garlic and herb roasted turkey breast in a baking dish with a rosemary garnish.
This roasted turkey breast is coated in a savory garlic and herb butter, then baked to golden brown perfection. The perfect quick and easy option for a holiday meal or everyday dinner!
Time
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Serves 6

Ingredients 

  • 6 lb bone in turkey breast I use a half breast
  • 5 tablespoons butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon sage leaves finely minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons rosemary leaves finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon thyme leaves finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons parsley finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • rosemary sprigs for garnish optional
  • cooking spray

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Coat a baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Place the butter, garlic, sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley and salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Loosen the skin of the turkey breast. Spread half of the butter underneath the skin of the turkey, and the other half of the butter on top of the turkey breast.
  • Place the turkey in the baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until skin has just started to brown.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, basting occasionally with pan juices. 
  • Check the temperature of the turkey by inserting a thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. The turkey can come out of the oven when the thermometer registers at least 160 degrees.
  • Cover the turkey with foil and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until thermometer registers at least 165 degrees F.
  • Garnish with rosemary and serve.

Notes

  1. Rub the butter mixture on top of the turkey skin and under the turkey skin.
  2. You can use a fresh or frozen turkey for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw the turkey before roasting it.
  3. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the thickest part of the breast reaches 165 degrees F before serving the meat.

Nutrition

Calories: 399kcal | Protein: 88g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 245mg | Sodium: 506mg | Potassium: 1002mg | Vitamin A: 560IU | Vitamin C: 3.6mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 2.6mg

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    The turkey came out beautiful and was a hit! The skin was so golden and crispy! I did not baste it because I wanted it really crispy and was busy cooking all the sides. I made my own garlic herb butter since I only had dried herbs, the measurements would be different, but I used the ones listed. Make sure to pat your turkey dry with paper towels so the butter will stick and let the turkey come closer to room temp. The drippings made a delicious gravy as well! I definitely recommend this recipe, just remember to check it sooner if your turkey is smaller. My bone-in breat was 6 lbs and the timing was perfect!

  2. 5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious! First time making the turkey (usually go to families’ homes). This year had to make the turkey breast on my own for my family. Clear instructions that helped this novice provide a wonderfully juicy and tasty turkey for my family. Thank you!

  3. I have a 5lb bone in turkey breast would I use this recipe or double. Recipe says 6 lb but in your notes you say you use a half breast so to double??

    1. This recipe calls for a 6 pound breast, it doesn’t matter if it’s half a breast or a full breast. So for 5 lbs you’d follow the recipe exactly, except that it will take a little less time to cook so I’d recommend using a meat thermometer so you know when it’s done.

  4. 5 stars
    I had trouble getting the mixture to stick to my turkey. Additionally it could use a bit less salt. Other than that it was pretty terrific

  5. I follow this recipe to a T yesterday and the turkey was very dry. It was the worst turkey I have a cooked and I have been cooking for 40 years

  6. 5 stars
    Made this turkey breast last night. Absolutely delicious! Juicy and tender. A meat thermometer is a must! Took it out right at 165, let it rest for about 15 minutes. Perfection, and so easy…

  7. 5 stars
    Thank you for sharing this recipe. I used two boneless Butterball turkey breasts about 3 pounds each and cooked them together in my heavy cast iron roasting pan and doubled the recipe. Total cook time was about 90ish minutes. This is a keeper, for sure!

  8. Hello, if I am brining the turkey (I’m using your recipe for that), should I cut down on the amount of salt called for in this recipe? Thank you

  9. Bonless? Will this work eith a bonless 4.75 lbs turkey breast? If it will HOW LONG TO COOK& IS MIDDLE THE SAME 165°?
    SINCERELY
    1ST.TIMER

  10. Could you cook this in the crockpot instead? I stumbled across your recipe for a crockpot turkey breast which sounds delicious but for Thanksgiving prefer the assortment of fresh herbs in this recipe.

    1. Is it two separate half breasts or one whole breast? The cook time may not change much if there’s room for air to circulate between the breasts so use the largest pan you have. I also highly recommend using a meat thermometer.