This Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast takes only a fraction of the time in the oven and yields a delicious and incredibly moist turkey with the easiest turkey gravy ever! In this recipe, a whole, bone-in turkey breast is rubbed with butter, seasoned and stuffed with garlic and herbs and roasted on a bed of vegetables. The herbs and garlic will flavor the turkey while the veggies work their magic with the drippings. This recipe will feed 6.

Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast

Today we are roasting a whole turkey breast. Yes! A whole, bone-in turkey breast because a) white meat and b) because it only takes a few hours versus several hours when roasting an entire bird. Truth be told, I do love both light and dark meat. However I don’t love the time it takes to roast a whole turkey. As you’ll see, this recipe is crazy easy and will have your home smelling like the holidays in under 3 hours. Plus I’m showing you how I make the easiest gravy ever.

AND there’s still crispy turkey skin.

The perk of being a food blogger this time of year is TWO thanksgiving dinners. Note, this is not what my typical Thanksgiving plate looks like. Usually there’s a few more spoonfuls of about 4 other of side dishes, plus rolls and extra gravy. And as my mother-in-law would say; “my eyes are bigger than my stomach.” This plate 👇🏼 is a gross understatement.

Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast

Back to the turkey. Gah! Butter roasted turkey is amazing and so SO moist and flavorful. Which isn’t the case sometimes when roasting a turkey.But trust me, the answer is (and will always be) butter.

This year, let Thanksgiving dinner can be a simple.

ingredients Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast

To Make This Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast You Will Need:

  • thyme sprigs (fresh)
  • sage (fresh)
  • rosemary sprigs (fresh)
  • kitchen string
  • carrots
  • celery
  • onion
  • whole heads of garlic
  • bone-in turkey breast – You will need a 4 to 6 pounds (thawed if frozen)
  • softened unsalted butter
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper.

For the gravy:

  • turkey drippings
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons flour
  • turkey broth or stock

A Note About Thawing:

I bought my whole turkey breast frozen. When you know when you want to make it, place it (still wrapped) in a pan, like the one above, and slide it into your fridge for 3 full days to thaw. I’ve read to plan on 24 hours per 5 pounds – but mine has never thawed in 24 hours. 3 days always seems to be what works. The morning of roasting, pull it out of the fridge 1 hour to 1-1/2 hours beforehand and set it on the counter to take the chill off.

herbs tied in kitchen string

For the herb bouquet:

Bundle the fresh herbs like 4 to 6 thyme sprigs, 2 small bunches sage and 2 rosemary stems together and tie well with kitchen string.

whole heads of garlic halved

Then cut two medium-ish heads of garlic in half horizontally.

chopped vegetables in a roasting pan

In a deep sided roasting pan (I’m using my lasagna pan) scatter the 2 chopped carrots, celery and 1 chopped onion in an even layer.

pat the turkey dry

Move your oven rack to the lowest position and preheat your oven to 325℉ (or 160℃). 

Then using paper towel, blot dry the exterior and the inside cavity of the turkey, well.

loosen skin from breast

Next, use your fingers to get under the skin and pull it from the flesh.

rub butter over breast meat.

Then rub the butter underneath the skin and then around the exterior, and inside the cavity of the turkey.

Think of it as a butter massage.

rub butter over outer skin of the turkey

Make sure your butter is SUPER soft (not melted) otherwise the butter will not spread easily.

season and stuff whole turkey breast

Then season the exterior and inside the cavity, generously with kosher salt and black pepper. Place the turkey breast onto the bed of vegetables and stuff the garlic halves and herbs inside the cavity.

Slide the turkey into your preheated oven and roast for 1 hour.

Keep in mind this is a turkey Breast and NOT a whole turkey. So these times will not work if using a whole turkey.

Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast in roasting pan

Carefully remove the turkey from the oven.

baste turkey with cooking liquids

Use a turkey baster to pick up the butter/juices in the bottom of the pan and squeeze over top and inside the cavity of the turkey.

basting turkey with pan juices

Return the turkey to the oven to roast for an additional 30 minutes. Then repeat this step twice more or until the turkey skin is deep golden, crispy and a thermometer reads 160° when inserted into the thickest part of a breast.

Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast

Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast

Look at that crispy turkey skin!

let rest

Carefully transfer the turkey breast to a carving board and cover with foil. Allow to rest for at least 20 minutes which is the perfect amount of time to make the gravy.

vegetables in roasting pan juices

Use a slotted spoon to remove the vegetables to a bowl and discard.

remove veggies with a slotted spoon

They have done their job in flavoring the pan juices.

leaving only the fat and juices

To Make the Pan Gravy:

transfer to a fat separator

Next, pour the pan juices into a fat separator.

combine juices with broth

Once separated. Pour the juices into a separate measuring cup and add enough turkey stock or broth to make 4 cups. Then add only 1/4 cup of the turkey fat back to the roasting pan. Place the roasting pan on a large burner and heat to high.

add a little fat to roasting pan with four and whisk

Whisk in enough of the flour to make a smooth paste. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, then pour in 4 cups of broth/juices into the pan and bring to a boil while whisking often.

slowly pour in chicken broth/liquids (not fat)

Once thickened, strain (if desired) and serve in a gravy boat.

Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast

All that’s left to do is slice and serve the turkey with your favorite sides!

We like:

green bean casserole

corn casserole

candied sweet potatoes

these dinner rolls!

Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast

Enjoy! And if you give this Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast

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Yield: 6 servings

Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast with Homemade Gravy

This Butter Roasted Whole Turkey Breast takes only a fraction of the time in the oven and yields a delicious and incredibly moist turkey with the easiest turkey gravy ever! In this recipe, a whole, bone-in turkey breast is rubbed with butter, seasoned and stuffed with garlic and herbs and roasted on a bed of vegetables. The herbs and garlic will flavor the turkey while the veggies work their magic with the drippings.

Ingredients

FOR THE TURKEY:

  • 1 whole turkey breast, 4 to 6 pounds, skin-on and bone-in (thawed if frozen) see notes
  • 2 small bunches sage
  • 4 to 6 sprigs thyme
  • 2 sprigs rosemary
  • kitchens string
  • 2 heads garlic
  • 2 large carrots, chopped into 2-inch pieces
  • 4 short stalks celery, chopped into 2-inch pieces (2 if long stalks)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

FOR THE GRAVY

  • 1/4 cup fat from pan drippings
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
  • pan juices, without the fat
  • turkey stock to equal 4 cups
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more or less to taste

Instructions 

  • Set your turkey out on the counter 1 to 1½ hours prior.
  • Tie the sage, thyme and rosemary with kitchen string and cut the garlic in half horizontally.
  • Move your oven rack to the lowest position and preheat your oven to 325℉ (or 160℃). 
  • Roughly chop the carrots, celery and onion and place into the pan in an even layer. Set off to the side
  • Use your fingers to separate the skin from the flesh of your turkey. Using softened butter, massage it under and over the skin of the turkey, as well as the cavity.
  • Generously season the outside and inside of the cavity with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Place the turkey onto the vegetables and place the garlic halves and herb bundle inside the turkey cavity.
  • Roast for 1 hour. Remove and baste top and inside cavity with the pan drippings before returning back to the oven for another 30 minutes. Do this 2 more times or until the turkey reaches 170° when a thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the breast. Total roasting time should be around 2 to 2-1/2 hour depending on the sized of your whole turkey breast.
  • Carefully transfer the turkey breast to a carving board and cover with foil.
  • Use a slotted spoon to remove the vegetables and discard. They have done their job.
  • Place the pan drippings into a fat separator. Pour the juices out and into a measuring cup (leaving the fat in the separator). Adding enough turkey broth or stock to the juices to make 4 cups
  • Pour 1/4 of the fat (discarding the remaining) back into the roasting pan and heat on high.
  • Whisk in enough flour to make a smooth paste and until a rich brown color (time will depend)*.
  • Continue whisking while pouring in the 4 cups of turkey broth/pan juices. Season with salt to taste.
  • Slice the turkey and serve with the gravy.

Notes

TO THAW: Place the frozen turkey (still wrapped) in a pan and place it into your fridge for 3 full days to thaw. The morning of roasting, pull it out of the fridge 1 hour to 1-1/2 hours beforehand and set it on the counter to take the chill off. If theres still a few ice crystals, that's normal.
Also, keep in mind, the time will vary depending on size of turkey.
FOR THE GRAVY: due to lighting issues, I had to rush the gravy (story of my life) so the color isn't as deep as I would like it be - still delicious though! For a darker gravy, know that the longer you cook the roux (butter/flour mixture) the deeper the caramel color. Continue whisking while pouring in the broth/juices.
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 267kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 50mg, Sodium: 230mg, Potassium: 131mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 4519IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 1mg