Boneless Turkey Breast Recipes: Pioneer Woman Style for a Juicy, Crispy Roast

Boneless turkey breast is a fantastic option for a smaller Thanksgiving gathering or a simple yet special weeknight dinner. Roasting it at a high temperature ensures a beautifully browned, crispy skin and incredibly juicy meat every time. This easy-to-follow, 8-ingredient recipe is inspired by classic, comforting home cooking, reminiscent of the Pioneer Woman’s approachable and delicious style.

Boneless turkey breast is served on a white plate.

While a whole roasted turkey is impressive, choosing just the breast offers several advantages, especially for smaller families or when you desire perfectly cooked white meat. Cooking the breast alone allows for more even cooking, preventing the dryness that can sometimes occur when roasting an entire bird. This recipe focuses on maximizing flavor and moisture in a boneless turkey breast, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is wonderfully simple, requiring just a handful of pantry staples to create a flavorful and impressive boneless turkey breast. Here’s what you’ll need, with exact measurements in the recipe card below:

Avocado Oil Spray: A high smoke point oil like avocado oil is ideal for roasting at high temperatures, ensuring your turkey doesn’t stick and browns beautifully.
Seasoning Powerhouse: Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dried thyme combine to create a classic and savory flavor profile that complements turkey perfectly.
Boneless Turkey Breast: You can use a single or double lobe boneless breast, depending on your needs. This recipe is tailored for about a 2-pound breast, but we’ll discuss adjustments for larger sizes.
Melted Butter: Butter adds richness and helps the spices adhere to the turkey, contributing to that desirable crispy skin. Use salted or unsalted butter – either works well.

Flavor Variations to Explore

While the classic spice blend in this recipe is delicious, feel free to experiment with different flavors to customize your boneless turkey breast. Here are a few ideas inspired by home-style cooking:

Onion Powder Boost: Add a teaspoon of onion powder to the spice mix for an extra layer of savory depth.
Smoked Paprika for Depth: Swap regular paprika for smoked paprika to infuse a subtle smoky flavor that elevates the dish.
Herb Garden Blend: Incorporate other dried herbs like rosemary, sage, or oregano alongside thyme for a more complex herbal profile. Think of a classic poultry seasoning blend.
Citrus Zest: Add the zest of one lemon or orange to the spice rub for a bright, zesty note that cuts through the richness of the turkey.
Maple Glaze (for the last 15 minutes): For a touch of sweetness, brush the turkey with a mixture of maple syrup and Dijon mustard during the final 15 minutes of roasting.

Step-by-Step Roasting Instructions

Follow these simple steps to achieve a perfectly roasted boneless turkey breast with minimal effort:

First, prepare your turkey by brushing it generously with melted butter.

Rubbing turkey breast with spices.

Next, combine your spices in a small bowl and thoroughly rub the mixture all over the buttered turkey breast, ensuring every surface is coated for maximum flavor. Place the seasoned turkey on a greased rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Spray the top of the turkey with avocado oil spray – this helps the spices stay moist and promotes browning.

Bake uncovered in a preheated oven for 20 minutes to initiate browning and crisping of the skin. After 20 minutes, loosely tent the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent the top from over-browning or scorching. Continue roasting for another 30-40 minutes, or until the turkey is cooked through.

The turkey breast is ready.

The total roasting time for a 2-pound boneless turkey breast should be around 50-60 minutes. The most reliable way to ensure doneness is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the breast and ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for a crucial 20 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey breast.

Adjusting for Different Sizes

This recipe is designed for a 2-pound boneless turkey breast. If you have a larger breast, here’s how to adjust the cooking time:

Half a turkey breast.

For every additional pound beyond 2 pounds, increase the roasting time (after the initial 20 minutes of uncovered roasting and then covering with foil) by approximately 15-20 minutes. For example:

3-Pound Turkey Breast: Total cooking time of 65-80 minutes (20 minutes uncovered, then 45-60 minutes covered).
4-Pound Turkey Breast: Total cooking time of 80-100 minutes (20 minutes uncovered, then 60-80 minutes covered).

Remember, these are estimates. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 165°F in the thickest part. For breasts larger than 4 pounds, consider using a different roasting method, as this high-heat method is best suited for smaller to medium-sized breasts.

The Importance of a Meat Thermometer: Using an oven-safe meat thermometer is the only foolproof way to guarantee your turkey is perfectly cooked and safe to eat.

A meat thermometer inserted into the turkey.

Especially with larger boneless turkey breasts, the internal temperature can lag behind the exterior cooking. A thermometer eliminates guesswork and ensures juicy, perfectly cooked turkey every time.

Expert Tips for Turkey Success

Thaw Completely: Ensure your boneless turkey breast is fully thawed before cooking. A 4-pound breast can take up to two days to thaw in the refrigerator.
Scale Up Spices: For larger turkey breasts, increase the spice rub and butter accordingly. Increase by 50% for a 3-pound breast and double for a 4-pound breast.
Rest is Best: Don’t skip the 20-minute resting time! It’s crucial for juicy turkey. Cutting into it immediately will release all the flavorful juices.
Netting is Okay: If your turkey breast is wrapped in food-grade netting, you can leave it on during roasting. It helps maintain the breast’s shape.

A whole turkey breast wrapped in netting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to roast a boneless turkey breast?

Roasting at 450°F for a relatively short time is key to crispy skin and juicy meat. For a 2-pound breast, the total cooking time is around 50-60 minutes. Remember to cover it loosely with foil after the initial 20 minutes to prevent over-browning. Always confirm doneness with a meat thermometer, ensuring it reaches 165°F.

Boneless vs. Bone-in Turkey Breast: Which is better?

Both have their merits. Bone-in breasts tend to be slightly juicier, especially near the bone, and can be more flavorful. However, boneless breasts are incredibly easy to carve and convenient. For this high-heat roasting method, boneless works beautifully and cooks evenly.

How do I ensure my turkey breast is juicy?

Two key secrets: high-temperature roasting for a shorter duration and allowing the turkey to rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing. Resting allows juices to redistribute, locking in moisture and flavor.

Serving Suggestions for a Pioneer-Style Feast

This roasted boneless turkey breast is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. For a classic, Pioneer Woman-inspired Thanksgiving or holiday meal, consider serving it with:

Classic Cranberry Sauce: A must-have for turkey!
Homestyle Gravy: Rich and savory gravy made from pan drippings or turkey stock.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Fluffy and buttery mashed potatoes are the perfect comforting side.
Stuffing or Dressing: Choose your favorite bread-based or cornbread stuffing recipe.
Green Bean Casserole: A retro classic that’s always a hit.
Sweet Potato Casserole: Balance the savory with a touch of sweetness.
Dinner Rolls: Warm and soft rolls for soaking up gravy.

Storing and Creative Leftover Ideas

Leftover roasted turkey breast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. While the skin loses some crispness, the flavor remains delicious.

Cold turkey slices are fantastic for:

Turkey Sandwiches: Classic sandwiches with your favorite bread, lettuce, tomato, and condiments.
Turkey Salad: Dice the turkey and mix with mayonnaise, celery, onion, and seasonings for a delicious salad.
Protein Bowls: Add sliced turkey to salads or grain bowls for a protein boost.
Turkey and Noodle Soup: Shredded or cubed turkey is perfect for adding to homemade soup.

For reheating, gently warm sliced turkey in a pan with a bit of broth to prevent drying out.

More Delicious Turkey Recipes to Try

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Recipe Card: Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast – Pioneer Inspired

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Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast – Pioneer Style

Juicy and crispy boneless turkey breast roasted to perfection in a hot oven for a simple and delicious meal, perfect for holidays or weeknights.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Rest time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Home-Style

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 321kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

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Ingredients

Avocado oil spray
1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt – or ½ teaspoon of any other salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper – freshly ground
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 boneless turkey breast – about 2 pounds, skin-on split breast preferred, fully thawed if frozen
2 tablespoons butter – melted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a roasting rack inside a rimmed baking sheet and spray the rack with avocado oil.

A rack fitted inside a rimmed baking sheet.
In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme.
Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with melted butter, then rub all sides with the spice mixture.

Rubbing turkey breast with spices.
Place turkey skin-side up on the prepared rack. Spray the top with avocado oil.
Roast for 20 minutes uncovered. Loosely cover with foil to prevent scorching and continue roasting for 30-40 minutes more, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches 165°F. Total roasting time for a 2-pound breast is 50-60 minutes.

Placing the turkey breast in the oven.
Remove from oven and let rest for 20 minutes before carving and serving.

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Notes

Recipe is written for a 2-pound split boneless turkey breast. Adjust cooking time for larger breasts as noted in the article.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 165°F for safety and optimal juiciness.
Thaw turkey breast completely before cooking.
Netting on turkey breast is oven-safe and can be left on.
Increase butter and spices for larger turkey breasts (50% for 3-pound, double for 4-pound).
Rest turkey for 20 minutes before slicing for maximum juiciness.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.

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Nutrition per Serving

Disclaimers

Cup measurements are standard American cups (240ml). Recipes are generally low-carb/keto and gluten-free, but verify if needed. Product links are not guaranteed gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and may contain errors. Use common sense and read Terms of Use before using recipes.

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