Imagine a golden turkey breast with skin so crisp it practically crackles, releasing an irresistible aroma of fresh herbs and garlic. That’s exactly what you get with this Juicy Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe—and trust me, it’s a game-changer for holiday dinners or any special meal.

The image shows six thick slices of roasted turkey arranged in two layers on a white plate with a subtle pattern, placed on a white marbled surface. Each slice has a golden-brown crust with a moist white interior, topped with a light brown gravy that drips slightly over the edges. Small green herb pieces are sprinkled on the turkey and gravy. Around the turkey on the plate are fresh green herbs, including sage leaves and a sprig of small white flowers, adding a fresh touch. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Juicy Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Juicy Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Juicy Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely love how this recipe turns a simple turkey breast into a juicy, tender marvel with just a few thoughtful steps. It’s not just about roasting—it’s about layering flavors with herb butter and keeping every bite moist and flavorful.

Balance of Flavors: The herb butter blends garlic, thyme, rosemary, and a blend of spices that sing together beautifully under the crisp skin.
Perfectly Juicy: The turkey stays moist inside thanks to the butter under the skin and the careful roasting process.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it a day ahead and refrigerate to deepen the flavor and ensure crispy skin when roasting.
Gravy Magic: The pan drippings combined with reserved herb butter create a homemade gravy that’s rich and comforting—no jar needed!

The dish shows multiple layers of sliced cooked chicken arranged on a white plate. Each slice has a browned, slightly crispy outside and a tender, white inside. A light brown gravy sauce is drizzled over the chicken, adding shine and moisture, with tiny green herb pieces sprinkled across the top. The plate is adorned with green herb sprigs on the left and a bright orange flower on the lower right, all set against a white marbled surface. A gold fork is partly visible on the right side beside the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Juicy Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe relies on fresh aromatics and a well-seasoned butter mixture that complements the natural flavor of turkey. Each ingredient is there for a reason, from keeping the meat moist to adding depth to the gravy.

Flat lay of one whole bone-in, skin-on turkey breast with natural skin texture, a small pile of twelve whole garlic cloves with papery skins, two medium onions sliced into rings, several round orange slices showing juicy segments, a handful of fresh green poultry herbs including thyme sprigs, rosemary stems, and sage leaves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth Dijon mustard, a small white ceramic bowl containing a mix of dried herbs and spices (paprika, garlic powder, dried rosemary, dried parsley, dried thyme, dried oregano, onion powder, ground cumin, pepper, and salt) in visible powder form, a small white ceramic bowl holding low sodium chicken broth with a light golden color, and three whole brown eggs with clean shells arranged symmetrically; all ingredients placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Turkey Breast: The bone-in, skin-on option gives you the best flavor and juiciness; the bones help keep it moist while roasting and boost the flavor for your gravy.
Garlic Cloves: Smashed to release pungent, mellow sweetness as they roast alongside the turkey.
Onions: Their natural sugars caramelize in the pan, adding a subtle sweetness to the drippings and gravy.
Orange Slices: Adds a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the richness and amps up the aroma.
Fresh Poultry Herbs (Thyme, Rosemary, Sage): Classic herbs that pair perfectly with turkey's subtle flavor, boosting both aroma and taste.
Chicken Broth: Keeps the pan moist and prevents drying; also forms the base liquid for flavorful gravy.
Unsalted Butter: The heart of the herb butter, brings richness and keeps the turkey juicy.
Olive Oil: Adds a slight fruity note and helps with browning.
Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy complexity to the herb butter that brightens the flavor.
Spices (Garlic Powder, Paprika, Dried Rosemary, Dried Parsley, Salt, Dried Thyme, Dried Oregano, Onion Powder, Ground Cumin, Pepper): These build layers of flavor while keeping the seasoning balanced and savory.
Flour: For thickening your homemade gravy perfectly.
Chicken Bouillon (Optional): Helps you adjust seasoning without adding extra salt directly.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Juicy Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you love or have on hand. Feel free to experiment a little and make this recipe really your own.

Variation: I sometimes like to swap out the orange slices for lemon if I want a sharper citrus note, especially in fall when lemons are super juicy. It brightens the whole dish wonderfully.
Dietary Mods: If you want to keep it dairy-free, you can substitute the butter with olive oil or a plant-based alternative, though I do warn you’ll miss that richness under the skin!
Boost the Flavor: Adding a splash of white wine to the roasting pan juices before making the gravy adds great complexity—just let it simmer off the alcohol with the broth.
Add Extra Herbs: Feel free to tuck in a few fresh bay leaves or sprinkle extra sage on top before roasting for a more herbal punch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Juicy Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe

Step 1: Bring the Turkey to Room Temperature & Prep the Pan

Start by removing the turkey from its packaging and patting it completely dry. Let it sit out for 45 to 60 minutes so it comes to room temp—that way it cooks evenly and stays juicy. While the turkey is resting, line your roasting pan with smashed garlic, onion slices, orange slices, and those fragrant fresh herbs. Pour in the chicken broth; this bath will infuse flavor and keep things moist during roasting.

Step 2: Whip Up the Herb Butter & Apply It

Mix all those butter ingredients until you have a beautifully fragrant herb butter. I scoop about two-thirds of this under the turkey’s skin—gently sliding your fingers or the back of a spoon under the skin is easier than you think, just take it slow so you don’t tear it—and rub the rest over the top. This creates a rich, buttery layer that bastes the meat as it roasts.

Step 3: Roast High and Then Low

Pop your turkey in the oven at 450°F for 20 minutes to jump-start that crispy skin. Then baste with the pan juices and lower your oven to 325°F. Continue roasting uncovered, basting every 20 minutes for the first hour, then let it crisp up without basting. I use a digital probe thermometer and start checking earlier than you’d think—my 7 pound breast took about 2 ½ hours, but many factors affect cooking time.

Step 4: Rest and Prepare the Gravy

Once the internal temperature hits between 155-160°F, pull the turkey out and let it rest uncovered for 15 minutes—this keeps the skin crispy. While it rests, collect the pan drippings, skim off the fat, then whisk them with broth, reserved herb butter, flour, and butter to make a luscious gravy that complements every slice.

Top Tip

From my many turkey roasts, these tips have been absolute lifesavers in getting that perfect juicy roast every time.

Use a Probe Thermometer: I can’t stress this enough—checking temp early and having an alert set prevents overcooking and dry meat.
Don’t Skip the Room Temp Rest: Letting the turkey sit out before roasting helps it cook more evenly and stay juicy throughout.
Be Gentle with the Skin: When separating skin to apply butter, take your time to avoid tearing—this butter is what locks in moisture and makes that skin unforgettable.
Baste Smartly: I’ve learned that basting too often can prevent the skin from crisping up; basting during the first hour then leaving it alone is my go-to.

How to Serve Juicy Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe

Roast Turkey Breast - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love scattering a little fresh thyme and rosemary over the sliced turkey just before serving—it looks stunning and adds a fresh herbal note that really complements the herb butter crust.

Side Dishes

My favorite sides with this turkey include creamy mashed potatoes (to soak up that gravy), roasted root vegetables tossed with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh herbs, and a crisp, fresh green salad with a lemon vinaigrette to brighten the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the turkey breast on a large wooden board surrounded by fresh herb sprigs, orange slices, and roasted garlic cloves. It’s rustic, welcoming, and everyone loves grabbing their own slices right from the board.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After carving, I place leftover turkey in an airtight container and refrigerate it—it keeps well for up to five days. I’ve found that slicing the turkey before storing helps with reheating evenly and saves time.

Freezing

When I freeze leftovers, I remove the meat from the bone and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freezer bags. Press out all the air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen turkey breast meat stays great for up to three months.

Reheating

My favorite reheating method is to cover slices with a splash of broth and dot with a little butter, then warm them in a foil-covered oven-safe dish at 350ºF for about 15 minutes—this keeps the turkey moist and flavorful without drying it out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a boneless turkey breast for this recipe?

Using bone-in, skin-on turkey breast gives the best flavor and juiciness because the bones help retain moisture during roasting. Boneless breasts tend to cook faster and can dry out more easily, so adjustments in time and monitoring are needed if you go boneless.

How do I know when the turkey breast is done?

An instant-read thermometer is your best friend here. The turkey breast is safely cooked and juicy at an internal temperature of 155-160°F. Resting the meat will raise the temp a few degrees more. Avoid guessing to keep it perfect!

Can I prepare this turkey ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep everything up through applying the herb butter and arranging the turkey in the pan, then cover with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Just bring the turkey back to room temperature before roasting for even cooking and crispy skin.

What’s the best way to make gravy from the pan drippings?

Skim the fat off your pan drippings using a fat separator or a DIY method with a freezer bag for the lean liquid. Combine the drippings with broth, melt butter and reserved herb butter, then whisk in flour to make a roux. Add liquids slowly and whisk constantly until thickened, adjusting seasonings to taste for a rich, velvety gravy.

Final Thoughts

This Juicy Roast Turkey Breast with Herb Butter Recipe has become my secret weapon whenever I want that “wow” factor without spending the whole day in the kitchen. The crispy skin, flavorful herb butter, and rich homemade gravy make it an unforgettable centerpiece that your guests will keep asking about. I encourage you to give it a try—it’s like having a little holiday magic right in your own oven.