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    Home » Entrees » Brined Turkey Breast Recipe

    Brined Turkey Breast Recipe

    Published: Oct 10, 2023 by Wendie · 13 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Sliced brined turkey breast on a platter and on a roasting pan Pinterest pin.

    Brined Garlic Herb Turkey Breast is the perfect centerpiece for any holiday gathering. With juicy, herb-infused turkey and a delightful garlic aroma, it’s sure to have everyone's mouth watering.

    A serving fork picking up a slice of brined turkey breast.


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    Thanksgiving turkey season is quickly approaching. This simple brine makes the turkey breast more flavorful and adds moisture. Any extra leftover turkey breast that you have from this would be amazing on these Leftover Turkey Sandwiches, with some Pumpkin Pie Bites to finish it off! 

    Why this recipe works

    Brined Garlic Herb turkey breast has the most succulent and flavorful and does perfectly with my Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes. Making roasted turkey breast is easier and faster than making the whole bird and more cost effective. In our house The white meat of the turkey is usually the most popular served with some Make Ahead Turkey Gravy.

    Ingredients for Brining a Turkey Breast

    All the ingredients needed for this brined turlkey.
    • Turkey breast: I used 2 bone-in turkey breast, about 3 pounds each.
    • Water: warm water helps dissolve the salt.
    • Salt: iodized salt, kosher salt or sea salt work nicely.
    • Sugar: a hint of sweetness helps balance the saltiness
    • Herbs de Provence: Typically, this is a mixture of thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, savory, marjoram, oregano, and bay leaves. This is optional but provides nice flavor.
    • Butter: use softened unsalted since you're adding salt already
    • Garlic: minced garlic cloves provide fantastic flavor
    • Herbs: fresh, finely chopped rosemary and thyme 

    How to Brine a Turkey Breast

    Turkey breast brined in a bowl with water, salt and sugar. then dried on a paper towel.
    • Step 1: In a large bowl add warm water, salt, sugar, and herbes de provence, whisk and let cool. Add the turkey breast into the turkey brine and marinate in the brine.
    • Step 2: Remove the brine from the bowl.
    Raw turkey breast placed on a roasting pan and the garlic herb butter mixed together in a small bowl.
    • Step 3: Place a cooling rack on a baking sheet and place turkey breasts on the rack, breast side up.
    • Step 4: In a small bowl, add softened butter, garlic, and fresh herbs and mix until combined.
    Turkey breast on a roasting pan with herb butter slathered on top and then roasted.
    • Step 5: Rub butter all over the turkey breast and under the skin.
    • Step 6: Bake until the internal temperature reaches 164 degrees. Remove from oven and let the turkey rest at room temperature before slicing and serving.
    Roasted turkey breast on a platter with fresh thyme and lemons.

    Recipe Tips

    • Insert your meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast when checking the temperature. 
    • For an even more flavorful turkey, you can use a garlic herb butter instead of regular butter. You may want to reduce the amount of minced garlic if you choose this route.
    • The best way to store leftover turkey is in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
    • Using a higher temperature when roasting, then reducing the temperature helps give you the crispy skin and tender juicy meat inside.
    • If using boneless turkey breast, you may need to adjust the cooking time.
    Sliced brined turkey breast on a platter with a fork picking up a slice.

    Recipe Faq's

    What are the benefits of bringing a turkey breast

    Using a wet brine brings plenty of delicious flavor to your turkey and helps make it super moist. Plus, using salt in your brine helps break down the muscle fibers in a turkey breast, making it even more tender and helps ensure that every bite of your turkey breast is nice and juicy.

    How do I know when my turkey is done?

    Use a meat thermometer to ensure that your turkey breast meat
    reaches a safe internal temp of164F before removing it from the oven to let rest. Keep in mind that the breasts may roast a little more or increase in temperature as they rest. 

    Do I need to rinse my brined turkey?

    You don't need to rinse your turkey breast unless you brined it for too long. Then you can run it under cold water.

    How long to brine a turkey breast?

    Brine turkey [breast] for at least 8 hours but preferably overnight for best flavor.

    Will this work for dark meat?

    Sure, you can use turkey thighs or even turkey legs if you prefer.

    Sides dishes to go with Thanksgiving dinner

    • Cornbread dressing in a casserole dish with a spoon taking some out.
      Southern Cornbread Dressing with Sausage
    • Homemade cranberry sauce in a white bowl with orange peel shavings on top and a sprig of mint.
      Homemade Cranberry Sauce
    • A baking dish with corn casserole in it and a serving missing.
      Corn Pudding Casserole
    • Garlic roasted carrots being in a pan and a fork picking up two.
      Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots

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    A serving fork picking up a slice of brined turkey breast.

    Brined Garlic Herb Turkey Breast

    Wendie
    Brined Garlic Herb Turkey Breast is the perfect centerpiece for any holiday gathering. With juicy, herb-infused turkey and a delightful garlic aroma, it’s sure to have everyone's mouth watering.
    3.89 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 10 hours hrs
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 11 hours hrs
    Course Entrees
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 224 kcal

    Equipment

    • Digital Meat Thermometor
    • Herbs de Provence
    • Baking sheet
    • Cooling rack

    Ingredients
      

    • 2- 3lb half bone-in turkey breast
    • 10 cups warm water
    • 2/3 cup salt
    • 2/3 cup sugar
    • 2 tablespoons Herbes De Provence optional
    • 8 tablespoons butter, softened
    • 3 garlic gloves, minced
    • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme finely chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Pour warm water into a large bowl and add salt, sugar and herbes de Provance and whisk until combined. Let cool.
    • Once water is cool add turkey breast cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-10 hours or overnight.
    • Place a cooling rack on a baking sheet and remove turkey from brine and place on top of rack. Pat dry the turkey with paper towels as much as possible.
    • Preheat oven to 450 degrees
    • In a small bowl add softened butter, garlic, rosemary and thyme and mix until well combined.
    • Rub the butter mixture all over turkey breast making sure to get under the skin.
    • Pour 1 cup of water in the bottom of your baking pan to help prevent the butter from from smoking. Place the tukey pan in the center of your oven. Bake turkey for 20 minutes then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake another 45-55 minutes or until turkey breast reaches 164 degrees.
    • Remove from oven and tent with foil to let rest 15 minutes slice and enjoy!

    Notes

    Store leftover turkey is in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
    If using boneless turkey breast, you may need to adjust the cooking time.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6ServingsCalories: 224kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 884mgSugar: 17g
    Keyword brined turkey, thanksgiving, turkey
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


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    Comments

    1. Wendie

      November 18, 2022 at 3:24 am

      No, I don't but you certainly can if you wish.

    2. Beverly

      November 17, 2022 at 10:05 pm

      You don't rinse the turkey after removing from the brine?

    3. Wendie

      November 15, 2022 at 5:05 am

      This recipe isn't for a whole turkey

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