Foolproof Turkey Breast

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Picture of Foolproof Turkey Breast Recipe 1 Video | Photo: Foolproof Turkey Breast Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 17 Reviews
Total Time:
8 hr 0 min
Prep
1 hr 0 min
Inactive
4 hr 45 min
Cook
2 hr 15 min
Yield:
8 to 10 servings
Level:
Intermediate
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Ingredients

  • 1 (14 to 16-pound) fresh turkey
  • Brine, recipe follows
  • 1 tablespoon dry rubbed sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 lemon, zested
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

Directions

Remove the legs and wings from the turkey, or have your butcher do it. Reserve for stock.

Put turkey breast into a large pot or doubled up clean plastic bag. When brine mixture is completely cooled, pour over turkey and place in refrigerator for 12 hours.

Rinse under clear cool water for 5 minutes, drain well and pat dry with paper towels.

In a small bowl, combine dried spices and lemon zest. Rub turkey with canola oil, lightly sprinkle rub on turkey, any extra rub can be placeed in cavity. Cover loosely, refrigerate for 4 hours.

Remove from refrigerator and let rest on counter for 15 minutes

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F while turkey is resting.

In a large, deep baking pan, fitted with a rack, place turkey breast side down and roast for 35 minutes. Carefully turn turkey over and reduce heat to 375 degrees F. Continue to roast turkey for 1 hour 45 minutes or until temperature at the deepest part of the breast reads 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Make sure to check bird every 15 minutes after first hour has passed.

Take out of oven, loosely tent with foil, let rest in pan for 10 minutes. Carve and serve immediately.

For Brine:

  • 6 quarts water
  • 8 cups ice cubes
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 7 fresh sage leaves
  • 1 tablespoons black peppercorns

In a large stock pot, combine 3 quarts water, 1 cup kosher salt, brown sugar, molasses, sage leaves and peppercorns. Heat until salt dissolves, remove from heat. Add in 3 quarts cool water and 8 cups ice.

Yield: brine for 1 turkey breast (10 pounds)

Print Recipe

Wine Suggestion for This Recipe

Merlot

Merlot

Jammy, earthy red wine

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 17 reviews

  • on November 13, 2012

    Flag

    This was super easy and yummy! Definitely try this brine for your first time!

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on November 24, 2011

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    I am a believer! This turkey was so tender, juicy and amazingly good! This was my first experience brining but I am sure glad I tried this out. I did have to pull a "McGyver" and make my own roasting rack because none of my baking pans were wide enough to accommodate the baking racks that I had. Fortunately the one I made was more than sufficient... And this was the best turkey recipe ever. Thanks Guy!

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on November 26, 2010

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    Wonderful turkey breast!! The only thing different I did was I used two boneless turkey breasts from the freezer section rather than buying a whole turkey and removing the pieces. It came out amazingly juicy. Even my picky husband raved.

    people found this review Helpful.
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