Ella Walter
Cooking a split turkey breast is a great option for a small gathering, and it can be cooked in a variety of ways, including in a pan. A typical split turkey breast is cut into two halves and sold bone-in and skin-on, weighing around 2-3 pounds. This cut of meat is perfect for a small Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, as it is a good alternative to roasting a whole turkey, and it pairs well with a variety of side dishes.
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time and temperature
Cooking a split turkey breast in a pan is a great option for a small gathering. The cooking time and temperature for this dish depend on various factors, such as the weight of the turkey breast and your chosen cooking method.
If you are using an oven, preheat it to 325°F to 400°F (160°C to 200°C). The higher temperature of 400°F is recommended by some sources, especially if you are cooking a smaller split turkey breast of around 2 pounds. At this temperature, your turkey breast will be ready in about 45–50 minutes. However, if you are cooking a larger split turkey breast, consider cooking at 325°F and allowing 14–15 minutes per pound of turkey. This means a 2-pound turkey breast will take about 30 minutes to cook, while a 3-pound turkey breast will take about 45 minutes. It is recommended to cook the turkey breast until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when a thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the meat.
If you are using a slow cooker, set it to high, add half a cup of water, and cook for about 3 hours and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F.
For a gas grill, preheat to medium heat at around 350°F. Place the turkey breast skin-side up and use indirect heat to grill for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F.
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Preparing the turkey breast
The next step is to season the turkey breast. You can season it simply with salt and pepper, or you can create a more complex herb butter mixture. To make the herb butter, combine softened butter with ingredients such as olive oil, dried rosemary, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Loosen the skin of the turkey breast and spread a generous amount of herb butter underneath, ensuring it covers both sides of the breast. Then, spread the remaining herb butter over the outside of the turkey breast, creating a flavourful crust.
If you have time, you can also brine the turkey breast to help it retain moisture during cooking. To do this, rub salt under and on top of the skin and on the bottom side of the turkey breast. Place it on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate overnight. If you choose to brine, omit the salt from the herb butter mixture.
Finally, preheat your oven to the desired temperature, typically between 325°F and 400°F (200°C). Place the prepared turkey breast in a roasting pan or baking dish, positioning it to cook evenly. You can also add some chicken broth or water to the pan, which will create delicious drippings for gravy. Now your turkey breast is ready for roasting!
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Cooking methods
Yes, you can cook a split turkey breast in a pan. Here are some cooking methods to help you prepare a delicious meal.
Thawing and Drying
Start by thawing the turkey if it is frozen. A good rule of thumb is to allow 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. Once thawed, take the turkey out of the fridge about 20 minutes before cooking. Pat the turkey dry on all sides using paper towels.
Seasoning
Season the turkey breast with salt and pepper. You can also separate the skin from the meat and spread softened herb butter underneath. Create an herb butter mixture by combining softened butter with olive oil, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Generously spread this mixture over the top of the turkey breast to create a flavorful crust.
Cooking
Preheat your oven to 325°F to 400°F (depending on the recipe). Place the seasoned turkey breast in a roasting pan or baking dish, positioning it to cook evenly. For a typical split turkey breast weighing around 2-3 pounds, roast for 45-50 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If using a meat thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the meat.
Resting and Serving
Once the turkey breast is cooked, remove it from the pan and cover it. Allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes. This ensures juicy and tender meat. After resting, slice the turkey breast into thin slices, keeping the skin on the slices. Serve with your choice of sides, such as mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, stuffing, or roasted vegetables.
Additional Tips
You can also try cooking a split turkey breast on a grill or in a slow cooker. If you want to brine the turkey, use a dry brine by rubbing salt under and on top of the skin, then refrigerate overnight. Leftover cooked turkey breast can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
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Resting and serving
Resting:
After removing your split turkey breast from the oven, it is essential to let it rest before slicing and serving. Transfer the cooked turkey breast to a cutting board or serving platter and cover it loosely with foil. Allow the meat to rest for at least 15 minutes. This resting period gives the juices a chance to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that it stays moist and flavorful.
Serving:
Once the turkey breast has rested, it's time to slice and serve. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the meat across the grain, following the length of the breast. Try to keep the skin intact with each slice. The recommended serving size for a split turkey breast is around 3-4 people.
You can serve your juicy, herb-crusted turkey breast with a variety of sides, such as roasted potatoes, rice, mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, or buttered noodles. For a more festive touch, consider making gravy using the pan drippings, adding chicken broth or bouillon for extra flavor.
Leftover cooked turkey breast can be stored in the refrigerator, well-wrapped, for 3 to 5 days. You can also freeze cooked turkey for future use in meals like sandwiches, stir-fries, or skillets.
Remember, the resting and serving steps are just as important as the cooking process in ensuring your split turkey breast is delicious and enjoyed by all.
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Gravy and side dishes
While your split turkey breast is resting, you can make a gravy using the pan drippings. To do this, heat the drippings and any bits left in the pan on the stove. Add chicken broth or chicken stock and bring to a boil, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom and sides of the pan with a silicone spoon or spatula. In a separate container, mix milk or water with flour and whisk until there are no lumps. Then, slowly add this mixture to the boiling broth, whisking constantly. Continue whisking until the gravy thickens and let it cook for a couple of minutes. You can also add some gravy browning to enhance the colour and flavour.
Now, onto the side dishes! Here are some classic and easy side dishes that go well with turkey breast:
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Cauliflower mashed potatoes
- Sweet potato casserole
- Cranberry sauce
- Roasted mini peppers
- Brussels sprouts
- Green bean casserole
- Stuffing
- Garlic green beans
- Roasted sweet potatoes, red onion, and yellow squash
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook a split turkey breast in a pan in the oven.
A split turkey breast will typically cook in around an hour. However, it is recommended to cook it for 14-15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Preheat your oven to 325°F to 400°F, depending on the recipe.
To ensure your split turkey breast is juicy, create an herb butter mixture with butter, olive oil, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Spread this mixture generously over the turkey breast before cooking. Also, be sure to let the meat rest for at least 15 minutes after cooking.
Some recommended side dishes include mashed potatoes, garlic green beans, roasted potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles.
