Herb-Crusted Lemon & Garlic Turkey Breast

Roasting a turkey breast is sort of like roasting an entire turkey. Only much, much easier. 

Roast Turkey for Two

If you want a meal that is delectable enough for a holiday celebration while also being easy enough for a weeknight dinner, this roasted turkey breast is about to become your new go-to. A small turkey breast is a lovely main course for a delicious dinner for two; a larger breast works wonderfully as the main course for a family meal or small gathering.

Juicy & Flavorful

Turkey breast has something of a reputation for being dry and boring. That being said, this recipe brings out just the opposite: juicy and flavorful. Choosing a bone-in turkey breast rather than the boneless version is the way to go. The bone helps the breast cook more evenly, resulting in a juicier, more tender cut of meat.

Ghee for Crispy Skin

Blending herbs and spices into butter is a popular choice for prepping roasted turkey. It brings loads of flavor to the meat and adds to the natural drippings, but there’s one problem: butter has a high water content. If you want the skin to get crispy, and believe us, you do, the first step is to pat the turkey dry. When you slather butter all over the meat, whether or not it’s blended with herbs, you’ve just reintroduced water back onto the meat.

Since ghee has been slow-cooked to remove the water content, this is a much better choice to use for coating your turkey breast. Since ghee is lactose-free, it’s a great turkey coating alternative for dairy-sensitive individuals. Ahara Rasa’s grass-fed ghee also has the high smoke point required for the proper roasting temperature. Traditional Ghee will bring extra richness to the flavor profile, and our Lemon & Garlic Ghee brings that same depth — just a bit brighter. 

Earthy Herb Combination

For this recipe, we chose thyme and sage for their earthiness, oregano for warmth, and rosemary for the pine-forward freshness. These three work well together and are the perfect companions for our Lemon & Garlic Ghee.

These fresh herbs came right out of our garden, but dried herbs can work just as well. Add some freshly-cracked black pepper and sea salt, and you’ve got a flavorful mixture to rub onto your turkey along with the ghee. 

If you don’t like one or two of these herbs, leave them out or swap with an herb you do like! Dill and parsley would be great alternatives and result in a brighter flavor.  

Consistent Oven Temperature

Many people swear by basting their turkey as it cooks, but we don’t recommend that. Reintroducing moisture to the skin can make it rubbery rather than crispy. Plus, every time the oven door is opened, heat pours out, interrupting the cooking process. Trust us, and keep the oven door closed.

Instead of using a deep roasting pan, using a sheet pan allows the temperature to circulate properly around the turkey breast. If the breast sits too low in a large pan, the turkey ends up steaming instead of roasting, which also prevents the skin from achieving that delicious crispyness you are looking for.

Perfect Pairings

Depending on the occasion, there are plenty of side dishes that complement this well. A few of our favorites include:

• Roasted Butternut Squash & Fennel Soup
• Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Sauteed Green Beans
• Dressing (It’s on the side, so it’s not “stuffing.”)

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