Citrus Herb Turkey Breast Recipe
This Citrus Herb Turkey Breast Recipe is perfect for those small Thanksgiving feasts or for a flavorful dinner anytime. A boneless turkey breast slathered in an herb citrus butter then oven roasted to perfection.
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Table of Contents
BONELESS TURKEY BREAST IN OVEN
This Citrus Herb Turkey is a bright, flavorful main dish suitable for any holiday feast. Perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving or Sunday Dinner. Serve alongside your favorite side dishes for an amazing feast.
INGREDIENT OPTIONS:
- Skin-on boneless turkey breast will work as well. If using, roast skin side up in the oven.
- Flavor add-in: pour ½ cup chicken broth or white wine into the roasting pan with the vegetables.
RECIPE TIPS:
- If you pull the turkey out at 160 degrees F, it will continue to cook in the pan and will reach 165 degrees F before you carve.
- Only have salted butter? No problem, just be sure to omit the ½ teaspoon of salt.
- Basting is optional but it adds a depth of flavor and keeps the turkey juicy.
- I recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is fully cooked. Another indicator that the turkey is cooked is if the juices run clear.
- Always buy a turkey breast that is a little bigger than you need so that you have leftovers.
- Save those drippings to make gravy.
SHOULD YOU COVER A BONELESS TURKEY BREAST WHILE COOKING?
We are starting our turkey breast uncovered to get a nice brown going. After that the turkey breast should remain loosely covered with foil to prevent the top from burning.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL A 3LB TURKEY BREAST FEED?
A 3LB turkey breast will feed 4-6 people depending how hungry they are.
This recipe is perfect for small Thanksgiving gatherings or to make alongside a large traditional turkey for extra breast servings.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
- Leftovers will store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Enjoy leftover turkey cold or warmed through.
- You can freeze roasted turkey breast for up to 3 months. Cool to room temperature before freezing.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH TURKEY:
PARMESAN POTATO STACKS – MASHED SWEET POTATOES – ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH – HERB BUTTERED CORN – YUKON GOLD MASHED POTATOES
LEFTOVER TURKEY RECIPES:
CRANBERRY PECAN TURKEY SALAD – TURKEY BACON RANCH PINWHEELS – 30+ LEFTOVER TURKEY RECIPES
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CITRUS HERB TURKEY BREAST RECIPE
Equipment
- OXO Good Grips Angled Turkey Baster with Cleaning Brush" class="wprm-recipe-equipment-link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">OXO Turkey Baster
Ingredients
- 1 3-4lb boneless skinless turkey breast
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 stick ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- Zest of ½ lemon
- Zest of ½ orange
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh sage minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme minced
- 1 yellow onion cut into large chunks
- 1 fennel bulb trimmed and cut into thick slices
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 lemon sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.*
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels and season with paprika and freshly cracked black pepper. Set aside.
- Mix the butter, minced garlic, salt, lemon zest, orange zest, fresh rosemary, sage, and thyme in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Mix together until smooth.
- Generously coat the butter all over the turkey and reserve 2 tablespoons of butter in the bowl to baste with later.
- Place onions, fennel, orange, and lemon slices in a roasting pan. Drizzle olive oil over the top and toss to coat.
- Place the turkey breast on top of the vegetables and roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Once the first 20 minutes is done, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of the citrus herb butter in the microwave. Take a basting brush and baste the top of the turkey.
- Loosely cover with foil and continue roasting until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, approx 45 to 60 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 15-20 minutes. Carve and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Welcome!
Nicole Harris is the recipe creator behind WonkyWonderful, sharing fast, budget-friendly meals for busy families. Since 2012 she’s been developing 30-minute dinners, kid-approved favorites, and holiday dishes with flair - all with real ingredients and no fuss. She grew up stretching simple pantry staples into something delicious, and that shows up in every recipe: easy, affordable, and full of flavor. Read more...
