I love my twist on a perfect Roast Turkey recipe. I lightly coat 2 lb boneless turkey breast with melted butter, minced garlic, fresh rosemary, and thyme. A hint of lemon juice and chicken broth finishes the flavor. This turkey offers a delightful alternative centerpiece for a memorable special event.

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I recently stumbled upon a twist on a classic that I just had to share. This Garlic Butter Boneless Turkey Breast is one of those recipes that really ups the game when you’re after a special dish for Thanksgiving or any big event.

I start with a 2 lb boneless turkey breast, pat it dry, then mix 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter with 6 minced garlic cloves. I add in 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and a little kick with 1/2 teaspoon paprika.

A tablespoon each of fresh rosemary and thyme infuse the meat with amazing aromas, while 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth and the juice of 1 lemon deepen the flavors even more. Trust me, this turkey recipe is a fun twist on your classic roast turkey ideas and a great alternative to a full turkey.

It might just become your new go-to for baked turkey celebrations!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, I love the garlic butter marinade. It’s so flavorful and makes the turkey super juicy. Second, the mix of herbs like rosemary, thyme and even a touch of paprika really adds a fresh vibe that I dont get from other turkey recipes. Third, it’s really simple to make. I mean, brushing on the butter mixture and letting it sit for a bit before baking kinda makes me feel like a pro chef even though i sometimes mess up the timing. Lastly, the fact that i can use a boneless turkey breast for a smaller portion is awesome because i dont need to commit to a whole turkey for a special meal.

Ingredients

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Fresh and zesty, this dish combines rich proteins, herbaceous accents and a tangy twist that makes every bite memorable.

Below are a few of the key ingredients:

Turkey breast offers lean protein and low fat to keep meals hearty.
Butter adds creaminess and deep flavor, though its a high saturated fat source.
Garlic offers potent health upsides and a bold, savory twist.
Lemon juice provides a tangy, fresh counterbalance to the rich ingredients.
Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme infuse light, aromatic, natural flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

2 lb boneless turkey breast, patted dry

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

6 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon fresh rosemery, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Juice of 1 lemon

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.

2. In a bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, chopped rosemary, thyme, paprika, chicken broth, and lemon juice.

3. Place the turkey breast in a baking dish and make sure it is pat dry.

4. Brush the butter garlic mixture generously all over the turkey breast.

5. Let the turkey sit for about 10 minutes so the flavors can start merging.

6. Bake the turkey breast in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

7. Baste the turkey with the pan juices every so often during the baking to keep it moist.

8. When the turkey is done, take it out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

9. Slice the turkey breast and arrange it on a serving platter.

10. Enjoy your delicious garlic butter boneless turkey breast as the perfect centerpiece for your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven set to 375°F
2. A large mixing bowl
3. Measuring spoons and 1 measuring cup
4. A baking dish
5. A pastry brush for basting
6. A meat thermometer
7. A sharp knife and cutting board
8. A serving platter

FAQ

Q: Can I use a bone-in turkey breast instead?

A: Yup, you can, but cooking time might be longer and might affecting the flavor since the bone infuses a bit more taste.

Q: Do I have to marinate the turkey?

A: Not really, but letting it sit with the garlic butter mixture for at least 30 mins really boosts the flavor.

Q: Can I replace the chicken broth?

A: Sure thing, you can use vegetable broth or even water if you dont have chicken broth on hand.

Q: How do I know when it's fully cooked?

A: The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. A meat thermometer really comes in handy for this.

Q: Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can prep the seasoning and let the turkey marinate in the fridge, but its best to cook it soon after for the best flavor.

Garlic Butter Boneless Turkey Breast Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Unsalted butter: You can use salted butter instead, but make sure to reduce the added salt in the recipe
Fresh rosemary: If you don’t have fresh, try dried rosemary. Use about one third of the amount called for
Fresh thyme: Dried thyme works just fine too, again use about one third of the stated amount
Low-sodium chicken broth: You can substitute it with vegetable broth if needed, which still adds a nice umami flavor
Lemon juice: In a pinch, a splash of lime juice can be a good alternative, although it gives a slightly different taste

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your turkey is really dry before you add any of the butter mixture so that the flavors stick better and the skin actually gets a nice little sear in the oven.

2. If you can spare the time, let the turkey marinate in the fridge for a few hours after you brush it with the garlic butter. That extra time makes the meat even more flavorful.

3. Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking it. If your oven runs hot it can dry out fast and you dont want that.

4. When the turkey is nearly done, you can cover it lightly with foil if its browning too quickly, so the butter doesnt burn and keeps the meat nice and moist.

Garlic Butter Boneless Turkey Breast Recipe

Recipe by Toni Baldesera

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

200

kcal

Equipment: 1. Preheated oven set to 375°F
2. A large mixing bowl
3. Measuring spoons and 1 measuring cup
4. A baking dish
5. A pastry brush for basting
6. A meat thermometer
7. A sharp knife and cutting board
8. A serving platter

Ingredients

2 lb boneless turkey breast, patted dry
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh rosemery, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Juice of 1 lemon

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375°F.
In a bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, chopped rosemary, thyme, paprika, chicken broth, and lemon juice.
Place the turkey breast in a baking dish and make sure it is pat dry.
Brush the butter garlic mixture generously all over the turkey breast.
Let the turkey sit for about 10 minutes so the flavors can start merging.
Bake the turkey breast in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Baste the turkey with the pan juices every so often during the baking to keep it moist.
When the turkey is done, take it out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Slice the turkey breast and arrange it on a serving platter.
Enjoy your delicious garlic butter boneless turkey breast as the perfect centerpiece for your meal!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.