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A golden garlic herb roasted turkey breast on a platter with fresh thyme, rosemary and lemon halves

Garlic Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

A bone-in turkey breast rubbed with garlic herb butter under the skin and roasted until the skin is golden and the meat is juicy.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Resting 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 340
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Turkey
  • 1 bone-in skin-on turkey breast 5 to 6 pounds, thawed (2.3 to 2.7 kg)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened (115 g)
  • 6 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt use 1 teaspoon if the turkey is pre-basted
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
Pan
  • 1 large onion cut into thick wedges
  • 2 carrots cut into chunks
  • 2 stalks celery cut into chunks
  • 1 lemon halved
  • 1 cup chicken or turkey broth 240 ml

Method
 

Prepare
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) with a rack in the lower third.
  2. Mash the butter with the garlic, lemon zest, thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, salt and pepper until smooth.
  3. Pat the turkey breast very dry. Loosen the skin gently and spread about two thirds of the butter under it, then rub the rest over the skin.
Roast
  1. Scatter the onion, carrots and celery in the roasting pan, add the lemon halves and broth, and set the turkey on top skin side up.
  2. Roast for 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 hours, basting once or twice, until a thermometer in the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C). Tent with foil if the skin browns too quickly.
Rest and serve
  1. Rest the turkey under loose foil for 20 to 30 minutes, then carve across the grain and serve with the pan drippings or gravy.

Notes

Doneness: Turkey is safe at 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast.
Make ahead: The herb butter keeps for 3 days in the refrigerator.
Nutrition is an estimate per serving.