Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

brined & roasted turkey breast

(4 ratings)
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Gina Sprenkel
Houston, TX

Don't roast a turkey only at Thanksgiving. Purchase a turkey breast and have a lovely meal any time of the year! Brining the breast first makes a flavorful, juicy turkey.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

If you're not hosting a big holiday meal or just want turkey, not at Thanksgiving or Christmas, try this turkey breast. It's great for people who don't need a whole turkey. Quick to make, with very few ingredients, it's an easy roast turkey recipe. Thanks to the turkey brine, the meat is very moist. Any leftovers will make a delicious sandwich, be great in soup, or even just for snacking out of the fridge.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(4 ratings)
yield 4 -6
prep time 13 Hr
cook time 2 Hr
method Bake

Ingredients For brined & roasted turkey breast

  • BRINE
  • 1 c
    coarse salt
  • 1/2 c
    sugar
  • water
  • TURKEY
  • 5 lb
    turkey breast
  • small apple
  • olive oil
  • coarse salt
  • fresh ground pepper
  • sage, dried

How To Make brined & roasted turkey breast

Test Kitchen Tips
Seasoning on the turkey breast is to taste. Here are our measurements: 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon coarse salt, 2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper, and 2 teaspoons dried sage.
  • Turkey in a stockpot and brine ingredients in a bowl.
    1
    The night before you want to roast your turkey, place clean turkey in a large container or pot (I use the inside dish of a Crock Pot). In a large bowl, add salt, sugar, and water (about 1-2 gallons, depending on the size of your turkey breast. You want to cover the turkey with the brine mixture. Stir the salt and sugar in the water until completely dissolved.
  • Turkey placed in the brine.
    2
    Pour over the turkey and refrigerate for 12-14 hours.
  • Turkey breast removed from brine and drained.
    3
    When you're ready to roast the turkey, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Take out the turkey and drain the brine liquid.
  • Apples sliced to put into cavity.
    4
    Cut the apple into quarters and set them aside. Place the apples inside the cavity and sit the turkey upright (breast on top).
  • Turkey on a rack and seasoned.
    5
    Put turkey in roasting pan, on rack. Coat with olive oil outside the entire turkey. Sprinkle coarse salt, lots of fresh ground pepper, and sage -- everywhere (on top, sides, and in the cavity).
  • Turkey roasting in the oven.
    6
    Bake as directed for your size of turkey (5 pounds = about 1 3/4 hours). Bake uncovered!
  • Sliced Brined & Roasted Turkey Breast.
    7
    When done, let it rest 10 minutes before carving. Tasty, juicy turkey!! If the turkey isn't a beautiful brown, raise heat to 'broil' and broil for about 10 minutes.
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