Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey Breast

Brined, buttered, and roasted for tons of moist flavor, this foolproof method of preparing turkey breast is sure to make your Thanksgiving special.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 3 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 611 Calories

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon pressed garlic
• 4 sprigs fresh sage
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons hickory-flavored liquid smoke
• 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns, cracked
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 (5 pound) boneless turkey breast halves
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves stripped and finely chopped
• 1 sprig Spices, thyme, fresh
• 1 sprig Fresh Sage
• 6 medium carrots, cut into large chunks
• 6 stalks celery, cut into large chunks
• 2 medium red bell peppers, cut into large chunks
• 2 medium yellow onions, quartered
• 8 fluid ounces chicken stock, or more as needed
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.5 cup kosher salt
• 0.25 teaspoon smoked paprika

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

Step 2

Heat water for brine in a 6-quart pot over medium heat until steam begins to rise to the surface. Stir in kosher salt and sugar until dissolved. Add liquid smoke, peppercorns, garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, and smoked paprika. Immediately remove from heat, cover, and let rest and bring to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Do not refrigerate to cool.

Step 3

Place each turkey breast in a zip-top freezer bag. Evenly divide the brine, herbs, and garlic between the bags. Remove excess air, seal, and put into the refrigerator, 24 to 36 hours before you roast your turkey breast.

Step 4

Remove turkey from brine, pat dry, and let rest for 30 minutes. Pour brine through a strainer; discard brine but reserve garlic and herbs.

Step 5

At the same time, mix softened butter with rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, black pepper, and paprika for herb butter. Set aside.

Step 6

Roast in the center of the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of each breast reads 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove from the oven, cover loosely with a foil tent, and let rest for 15 minutes. The internal temp will rise above 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) during this rest.

Step 7

Arrange carrots, celery, bell peppers, onions, and reserved garlic and herbs from the brine in the bottom of a roasting pan. Rub about 1/4 of the herb butter on each breast under the skin. Don't remove the skin. Rub the rest of the butter on top of the skin. Arrange the breasts in the roasting pan on top of the aromatic veggie rack; add chicken stock to the bottom of the pan.