Make an uncomplicated oven-roasted turkey breast dish that feels like a whole feast. Fresh herbs, red potatoes, parsnips, and carrots make this a deliciously hearty option for holidays. We'll also share professional tips to ensure your turkey breast comes out juicy and tender every time.
Planning a smaller Thanksgiving dinner or prefer a simpler main course? This roasted turkey breast offers all the festive flavor of a traditional feast without the work of preparing a whole turkey. For more ideas, explore our other healthy turkey recipes, or browse our entire collection of delicious Thanksgiving recipes for a complete holiday menu.
This one-pan meal is designed for heart health by focusing on lean protein from skinless turkey breast, which helps build muscle with minimal saturated fat. It's packed with fiber and vitamins from a variety of root vegetables and uses heart-friendly fats and fresh herbs for flavor instead of excess sodium.
For the juiciest results, you can roast the turkey breast uncovered for the first hour to brown the outside, then cover it loosely with foil for the remainder of the cooking time. This traps steam and prevents the meat from drying out.
A temperature of 400°F is effective for roasting, as it helps create a golden exterior while cooking the inside thoroughly. The most important factor is the internal temperature: always cook until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F.
A 6 lb bone-in turkey breast typically takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours to roast at 400°F. However, always rely on a meat thermometer to confirm doneness (165°F) rather than just the time.
Yes, you can use a boneless turkey breast, but you will need to reduce the cooking time significantly. Start checking for an internal temperature of 165°F after about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
If you enjoyed this simple and delicious roasted turkey breast, explore our other healthy main dishes perfect for any occasion. These recipes use similar heart-healthy roasting techniques to guarantee a flavorful and tender result every time.
A great main course deserves the perfect side dishes to create a memorable and balanced meal. Here you’ll find our favorite heart-healthy holiday sides, from low-sodium gravy to classic casseroles made with wholesome ingredients.
Recipe yields 8 servings
Preheat oven to 400°. Rinse the turkey breast and pat dry. In a small bowl, combine the butter, garlic, sage, thyme, salt and pepper to taste and rub the mixture onto the turkey breast.
In a large roasting pan, arrange the onions, carrots, celery, potatoes and parsnips. Arrange the turkey over the vegetables. Roast in the middle of the oven until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165° and the juices run clear when a paring knife is poked in the thickest part of the breast, about 1 3/4 to 2 hours. Remove the turkey and transfer to a cutting board and let rest.
If needed, return the vegetables to the oven and roast for about 30 minutes, or until tender.
While this recipe is designed for a conventional oven, you can adapt it for other appliances:
Feel free to customize this recipe with other root vegetables like sweet potatoes, rutabaga, or butternut squash.
For different flavor profiles, try using fresh rosemary or marjoram. If you only have dried herbs, use half the amount called for in the recipe.
If you prefer, you can substitute the unsalted butter with an equal amount of high-quality olive oil.