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Perfect Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast for Two

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A perfectly roasted turkey breast for two, with crispy, herb-flecked skin and incredibly moist meat. This simple yet elegant recipe is ideal for a small holiday celebration, a romantic date night, or a cozy Sunday dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (2 to 2.5 pound) bone-in, skin-on turkey breast half
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 small onion, quartered (optional)
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. About 30 minutes before cooking, take the turkey breast out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter. Pat it completely dry with paper towels. Season the turkey breast all over with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Mash together with a fork until well combined.
  3. Gently use your fingers to loosen the skin of the turkey breast from the meat, creating a pocket. Take about two-thirds of the herb butter and spread it directly onto the meat under the skin. Spread the remaining butter all over the outside of the skin.
  4. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the quartered onion and any extra herb sprigs in the center of a small roasting pan or 9×13-inch baking dish. Set the turkey breast on top. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan.
  5. Roast for about 45 minutes, then start checking the temperature. The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast (without touching the bone) reads 155°F (68°C). For a 2-pound breast, this usually takes 50-55 minutes total. If the skin is getting too dark, loosely tent with foil.
  6. About halfway through cooking, baste the turkey with pan juices using a spoon or basting brush.
  7. Once the turkey reaches 155°F, remove from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Loosely tent with aluminum foil and let rest for at least 15 minutes.
  8. After resting, slice the turkey breast against the grain into thick, even slices. Spoon any remaining pan juices over the top.

Notes

Don’t skip the resting time; it allows juices to redistribute for moist meat. Use a thermometer, not a timer, for perfect doneness. Pat the skin thoroughly dry for crispy skin. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil or plant-based butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: roasted turkey breast, herb butter turkey, turkey for two, small turkey, easy turkey recipe, Thanksgiving for two, Friendsgiving

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/perfect-herb-butter-roasted-turkey-breast-for-two/