This recipe for Slow Roasted Turkey Breast is great for the holidays or as a delicious Sunday dinner. Whether you’re hosting a smaller gathering or just craving a comforting roast, this method delivers big flavor with minimal fuss. Perfect for Thanksgiving, meal prep, or any time you want something a little special.
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Why this Slow Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe because it’s the best moist turkey for Thanksgiving. It’s not a ton of meat so it’s ideal for small gatherings.
- Perfect for Small Families: No need for a whole turkey! This breast feeds 4 comfortably.
- Flavor-Packed: Butter, garlic, lemon, and herbs are infused into every bite.
- Easy Prep: Just season, roast, and rest.
- Versatile: Great for holidays or weeknight meals.
Can I Use a Boneless Turkey Breast Instead of Bone-In?
Yes! If you use a boneless breast you will most likely need to decrease the cook time. Make sure you check the internal temperature to get the perfect temperature.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“Perfect for smaller feasts but no less fabulous than a whole turkey!”
~ Laura
Ingredient Notes for Roasting a Turkey Breast
You only need a few easy-to-find ingredients to make slow-roasted turkey breast; many of which you may have in your pantry already.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Turkey Breast: Use a 2 pound, bone-in, whole turkey breast. Be aware you may need to increase cook time depending on the size of the breast.
- Broth: Feel free to use either chicken broth or turkey broth.
- Poultry Seasoning: Make your own Poultry Seasoning to have on hand whenever you make any kind of poultry dish.
Variations and Substitutions to Cook Turkey Breast
This recipe for slow roast turkey breast is so versatile. I like to switch up the flavors by using different ingredients.
- Citrus: Swap lemon for orange or tangerine for a sweeter twist.
- Herbs: Use rosemary, thyme, sage, or poultry seasoning, whatever you love.
- Butter: Substitute with olive oil or mayonnaise for a different flavor profile.
- Broth: Vegetable broth also works well.
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Special Equipment Needed to Slow Cook a Turkey
There’s specific piece of equipment that can make all the difference in this roasted turkey breast in oven recipe.
- Meat Thermometer: Use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the beast to accurately measure temperature.
How to Make Bone-In Turkey Breast
Roasted turkey breast recipes comes together in 3 quick and easy steps. This juicy turkey breast is so good, it’s perfect for holidays or a weeknight meal.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Add Veggies and Prep Turkey: Add the onion, garlic and lemon to a large baking dish. Then, pour in the chicken broth. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and place the turkey breast on top of the veggies.
- Season the Turkey: Gently peel the turkey skin away from the turkey meat and rub butter between the flesh and skin. Rub Poultry Seasoning all over the turkey and drizzle olive oil on top.
- Cook the Turkey Breast: Roast the turkey breast in a preheated oven until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 160 degrees. Remove the turkey breast from oven and allow to rest to finish cooking to 165 degrees.
Prep Ahead Suggestions – Marinated Turkey Breast
To streamline your baking process, there are some ways you can prep this bone in turkey breast in advance.
- Marinate: You can use your favorite brine or marinate for the turkey breast.
- Season: Season the turkey and refrigerate up to 24 hours before roasting.
- Vegetables: Chop aromatics like onion, garlic, and lemon ahead of time.
- Gravy: Make gravy base with pan drippings and broth while hot turkey rests.
Alternate Cooking Methods – Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Instead of baking, turkey breast cooks in the crock pot, air fryer or finished in the broiler. Make sure a frozen turkey is completely thawed.
- Slow Cooker Recipe: Use the slow cooker function! Add the veggies to the bottom of the slow cooker, followed by the broth and seasoned bird. Cook on low in a slow cooker for 6–7 hours for a tender turkey, then brown in oven or air fryer. Let the turkey rest.
- Air fryer: Roast at 350°F for 30 minutes, turning once.
- Broiler Finish: For crisp skin, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end, but watch closely
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Store: Refrigerate leftover turkey in airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm slices in oven at 300°F with a splash of broth, or microwave gently.
- Use leftovers: Turn extra turkey leftovers into turkey salad, turkey pot pie, soup, or lunchbox kabobs. Great in turkey club sandwiches or make a turkey casserole.
Common Questions About This Recipe – delete if not using
Sure! If your family enjoys white meat you can make an amazing turkey meal by making two turkey breasts.
Turkey is fully cooked when the internal temperature of the turkey breast is 165 degrees.
Tips for Making This Turkey Recipe
- Use a Shallow Pan: Promotes even roasting and browning.
- Let it Rest: Let it rest after turkey roasts for 10 minutes minimum for juicy slices.
- Tent with Foil if Browning Too Fast: Prevents burning if you cook a turkey breast too fast.
- Dry the Turkey Before Seasoning: Place turkey breast on a clean surface and pat dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up.
- Insert Butter Under the Skin and Top of the Turkey: Adds moisture and flavor to the juiciest turkey breast meat.
- Serve With: Serve with other side dishes like Crispy Savory Sweet Potatoes, Creamy Whipped Potatoes and Turkey Gravy Without Turkey Drippings.
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Slow Roasted Turkey Breast
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Ingredients
- 1 Onion, peeled and quartered
- 1 head Garlic, edges cut off
- 1 Lemon, sliced
- ½ cup Chicken broth, or turkey broth
- 2 pounds Turkey breast, bone in
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Tablespoon Poultry Seasoning
- ¼ cup Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
- Place onion, garlic and lemon in a casserole dish or roasting pan large enough for your turkey breast.
- Add the chicken broth to the dish.
- Pat the turkey breast dry with kitchen paper towel and place in the casserole dish.
- Use a spoon or your fingers to pull the turkey skin away from the flesh.
- Insert the butter in between the turkey skin and flesh.
- Rub the Poultry Seasoning all over the turkey breast, then drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, until an inserted meat thermometer reads 160℉.
- Allow the turkey breast to rest for 10 minutes. It will increase in temperature by the remaining 5℉, so that it’s 165℉.
- Slice and serve.
Christina’s Notes
- Need Brown Skin: Place under the broiler and broil for a few minutes, do not walk away however as it can burn easily.
- Too Dark: If your bird is getting a little too dark, tent the breast with aluminum foil.
- Variation tip: Feel free to add more or less of your favorite herbs and spices.
- Leftovers: If you have leftovers try making:Turkey Club Lunchbox Kabobs, 15 Minute Turkey Soup or Turkey Salad.
- Alternate cooking method tip: The air fryer is a wonderful way to make this turkey breast, cook for 350 degrees for 30 minutes, turning once during the cooking process.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
Perfect for smaller feasts but no less fabulous than a whole turkey!
Great recipe. I love being able to cook a small turkey dinner.