Garlic Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

Garlic Herb Roasted Turkey is so easy to make, so tender, so juicy, and so delicious it’ll
soon become your go-to turkey recipe. Top with cranberry sauce or gravy to take it to
the next level!

Looking for more turkey recipes? Check out my posts for Stuffed Turkey Breast, Best Ever Turkey Breast, and Perfect, Easy Thanksgiving Turkey. 

I’ve been cooking turkeys for a number of years; for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and just any old weekday too. But I have to say this super simple garlic herb roasted turkey breast is the recipe I come back to most often. It takes relatively no time (for cooking turkeys anyway), is seasoned with simple spices and herbs, and comes out so moist, juicy, and flavorful. You really just can’t beat it!

Here’s How You Make It 

1. First, go ahead and preheat the oven to 350. (not pictured)
2. Next, pat the turkey with paper towels to dry it thoroughly. Then, season it with salt and pepper all over the top, bottom, and sides. (photo 3)
3. Now, combine the softened butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and orange zest in small bowl by mashing and stirring with a fork until combined. (photos 1-2)
4. Take the butter mixture and spread it all over the top of a turkey breast. Using your hands is messy but it works the best. (photo 4)
5. Place the turkey in a roasting pan or baking dish and then in the oven for 45 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees. (photo 5)
6. Turn the oven to “broil” and continue to cook the turkey breast for anther 5 minutes, just till the top browns. (not pictured)
7. Take the turkey out of the oven and allow it to rest for about 10-15 minutes before you carve it. (not pictured)
8. Cut the turkey into slices and serve with gravy or cranberry sauce. (photo 6)

Why This Recipe Works 

So easy – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again, for cooking a turkey breast, it doesn’t get any easier, faster, or tastier than this recipe. 

Simple ingredients – Do you have butter, salt, pepper, minced garlic, and some herbs? Then you can put this roasted turkey recipe together. Even if you don’t have fresh herbs, dried will be just as tasty (see note below for more on that).

Great leftovers – I don’t know about you, but I think turkey leftovers are some of the best leftovers ever. Not sure what to do with turkey leftovers? You could make soup (like this Leftover Turkey Corn Chowder,) Turkey Enchiladas, taco salad, and more! 

Crowd pleaser – I know I said I’m the biggest fan of this roasted turkey recipe but so is my family and just about everyone I’ve ever made it for. 

What Is the Difference Between a Roasted Turkey and a Baked Turkey?

Baking and turkey and roasting a turkey are both done in the oven, so what’s the big difference anyway?

Typically, roasting is done to a solid food (like vegetables or, in this instance, turkey breasts) and at a higher temperature than something you’d bake. (For this turkey, though, we only roast it at 350 because it’s just a breast and not a whole turkey, which could be roasted at a higher temperature.) Roasting at a higher temperature also leaves a nice “crust” on the outside of the food that’s being roasted, like a nice, crispy, browned turkey skin, for example. 

Roasting is also done without a lid, whereas some baked items require a lid or covering.

Baking, on the other hand, usually denotes taking something from a non-solid state and creating a solid state with heat (like cookies, muffins, cakes, etc.). Baking is done at a lower temperature. 

Sides to Eat with This Recipe 

Looking for ideas for other foods to accompany this roasted turkey? Here are some of my favorites: 

• Mashed potatoes
• Roasted green beans
• Sweet potatoes
• Cranberries
• Gravy 
• Rice 
• Biscuits
• Stuffing 
• Apple and bacon salad 

Expert Tips

• Want to use dried herbs? No problem. Simply substitute 1/2 teaspoon each of dried parsley, rosemary, and thyme, OR 1 1/2 teaspoons Herb de Provence or Italian blend dried herb mix for the fresh herbs.  
• Leftover herb roasted turkey breast can be kept in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. 
• You can also freeze roasted turkey in a freezer-safe container for up to five months.
• Wondering how much turkey to roast? You can typically count on about 1 to 1 ½ pounds of turkey per person.
• If you’ve purchased a frozen turkey breast, be sure to thaw it in the fridge for a day or so before it’s ready to be roasted.  
• To test the internal temperature of the turkey breast with a meat thermometer, you’ll want to take it out of the oven and stick the probe into the thickest part of the breast, taking care to not hit the bone.  

More Tasty Turkey Recipes and Side Dishes

• Stuffed Turkey Breast
• Candied Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
• Perfect, Easy Thanksgiving Turkey
• Instant Pot Turkey Breast
• One-Hour Buttermilk Dinner Rolls
• Apple, Pecan, and Bacon Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

Did you try this Herb Roasted Turkey Breast recipe? FANTASTIC! Please rate the recipe below!