Cooking time for 4 lb turkey breast

Cook an oven-roasted turkey breast instead of a whole bird for a fast and easy feast. Starting at high oven temperatures ensures a crispy browned skin, but reducing the heat to finish creates juicy slices of meat.

1. Turkey breast selection
2. The seasonings
3. Elevate for even cooking
4. Make gravy with the pan drippings
5. Serve this with
6. Frequently asked questions
7. Roast Turkey Breast Recipe

A whole turkey is the star of any holiday table, but it can be a little intimidating to take on. Instead, why not make this roast turkey breast recipe to satisfy those tryptophan-induced cravings without all the fuss? Just focusing on one portion of the bird allows you to ensure that it’s tender and properly cooked.

The best way to achieve crispy golden skin and moist meat is to employ high and then low-temperature roasting conditions. To make this recipe even more straightforward, you only need five ingredients. The turkey is covered with butter and thyme to add an herb layer under the skin. When the turkey cooks in the oven, it bastes in the seasonings for delicious pieces of meat.

Turkey breast selection

I recommend using a large boneless turkey breast of about 4 to 6 pounds for this recipe. If you purchase a bone-in turkey breast, try to get a larger size knowing that the weight will drop once the bone is removed. Smaller portions can be used. However, reduce the cooking time at the low-temperature setting, checking with a thermometer in the thickest part for the proper doneness temperature.

Just like with my roasted chicken recipe, make sure to keep the skin on! The barrier protects the meat from drying out too quickly on the surface and creates a golden brown skin that many people love. For maximum flavor, I loosen the skin of the turkey breast and rub a mixture of butter, kosher salt, and chopped thyme on top. This process provides equally seasoned meat under the skin, not just on the bottom of the roast.

The seasonings

Trim any extra skin or loose pieces of meat. It’s best to have the breast be as consistent in thickness as possible for even cooking. Use paper towels to dry the skin. The least amount of moisture on the surface allows for quick browning and ultimate crispiness. Lightly season both sides with salt and pepper. The breast can also brine the turkey beforehand for added moisture and flavor.

Gently loosen and separate the skin from the breast, keeping the sides intact. Rub the herb butter mixture underneath the skin onto the meat. Brush the skin with melted butter. Ghee or olive oil can also be used and may yield crunchier skin since there is no water in the product.

Elevate for even cooking

Roast on a sheet pan topped with a sturdy wire rack. This allows the meat to lay flat and elevated for even cooking. Alternatively, you can use a traditional roasting rack set in a large roasting pan. Cook at 450ºF (232ºC) for 30 minutes, then turn the heat down to 325ºF (163ºC) for the remaining cook time. I like to stop cooking when the thickest part of the meat reaches about 160ºF (71ºC).

Make sure to rest the turkey for 20 minutes before slicing. This allows the meat’s proteins to relax, allowing some of the expelled moisture to move back into dissolved proteins: the result- maximum juiciness. The carry-over cooking helps the meat reach about 165 degrees, the perfect serving temperature.

Make gravy with the pan drippings

The moment you slice into the turkey breast, you’ll hear the crackling sound of the skin. The meat is cooked to perfection and is well seasoned with herbs and spices.

Save those pan drippings to make delicious homemade gravy, it’s so flavorful, and you don’t want it to go to waste. Impress your guests with tasty servings of turkey that doesn’t take all day to make- it’s a win for the busy home cook!

Serve this with

• Corn Casserole
• Mashed Potatoes
• Green Bean Casserole

Frequently asked questions

How do you keep a turkey breast moist when roasting?

Start roasting at a high 450ºF (232ºC) for 30 minutes. This will help develop a golden brown and crispy. Then turn the heat down to 325ºF (163ºC) for the remainder of the time to gently cook the breast and prevent the meat from drying out.

Should a turkey breast be roasted covered or uncovered?

Roast the meat uncovered. This will help the skin become crispy instead of flabby.

How long to cook a turkey breast?

A general guide is about 22 to 25 minutes per pound of turkey breast. Since this roasting method starts with a very high temperature of 450ºF (232ºC), the turkey will likely be ready to serve sooner. Keep a close eye on the internal temperature of the meat at the end of cooking at 325ºF (163ºC) to ensure it does not overcook.

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Roast Turkey Breast

Roast turkey breast is a great holiday dinner option for a smaller group. The recipe yields flavorful crispy skin with moist tender white meat. 

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4.97 from 52 votes

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 15 mins

Servings 8 servings

Course Entree

Cuisine American

Ingredients USMetric 1x2x3x

• ▢¼ cup unsalted butter, divided
• ▢1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• ▢½ teaspoon finely chopped thyme
• ▢1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• ▢4 pound turkey breast, boneless, skin on

Instructions 

• Preheat the Oven – Place the oven rack in the lower third position. Preheat to 450ºF (232ºC).

• Season the Surface – Thoroughly dry the turkey breast with paper towels. Season the bottom with about ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. More or less may be needed depending on the size. Flip over, skin-side up.

• Season Under the Skin – Combine 2 tablespoons softened butter, ½ teaspoon salt, and chopped thyme in a small bowl.Carefully loosen and separate the skin from the thickest part of the breast, making sure that the sides of the skin are still connected to the meat. Evenly rub the butter and thyme mixture under the skin, being careful not to separate the edges of the skin from the breast.

• Brush with Butter – Brush about 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the turkey skin. Evenly season with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.

• Roast the Meat – Transfer the breast to the wire rack placed on top of a sheet tray. Roast the turkey breast for 30 minutes.Turn the oven temperature down to 325ºF (163ºC). Cook until the thickest part of the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160 to 165ºF (72 to 74ºC), about 30 to 45 minutes.

  How long does it take to cook a 4 pound turkey breast?

  4- to 6-pound whole turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 1½ to 2¼ hours. 6- to 8-pound whole turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 2¼ to 3¼ hours.

  How long does it take to cook a 4 lb Butterball turkey breast?

  Place turkey breast in 350° oven and heat until warm. 3/4 - 1.5 hours. Check temperature with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be 140° F..

  Remove turkey breast from the wrapper..

  Let meat stand at room temperature 15 minutes to take off the chill..

  Carve turkey breast and serve immediately..

  How long does it take to cook 4 lbs of turkey?

  Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that's about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.

  How long does it take to cook a turkey breast per pound?

  A very frequently asked question around turkey is: how long to cook a turkey breast per lb? The answer is simple! 20 minutes per pound at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, my turkey breast was 3 pounds, so I roasted it for 60 total minutes at 350F.