Air Frying A Big Turkey Breast: What's The Limit?

Air fryers are a great way to cook turkey breasts, especially if you're short on time or oven space. You can cook a turkey breast in an air fryer in under an hour, and it will still be juicy and tender with a golden, crispy skin. The size of the breast and whether it has bones will determine the cooking time. A boneless turkey breast weighing 3 pounds will take around an hour to cook, while a bone-in breast weighing 4 to 6 pounds will take 40 to 50 minutes.

How to brine a turkey breast

Brining a turkey breast is a great way to ensure your meat is moist, tender, and full of flavor. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to brine a turkey breast:

Step 1: Prepare the Brine Solution

In a medium-sized saucepan, add 1/2 cup of salt to 2 cups of water. You can also add 1/2 cup of sugar (brown or white) and stir the mixture over high heat until the salt and sugar dissolve. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add 2 cups of ice to cool the brine to room temperature.

Step 2: Prepare the Aromatics (Optional)

At this stage, you can add aromatics to your brine to infuse additional flavors into the turkey. Suggested aromatics include peppercorns, citrus zest, cloves, bay leaves, rosemary, or sage.

Step 3: Submerge the Turkey Breast

Transfer the brine solution to a large container or a sealable plastic cooking bag. Ensure the container is big enough to completely submerge the turkey breast in the brine. If using a sealable bag, place the bag in a container in case of leaks. Submerge the turkey breast in the brine, ensuring it is fully covered. If the turkey floats, use a small heavy plate to keep it submerged.

Step 4: Brine the Turkey

Cover the container or seal the bag, and place it in the refrigerator. Brine the turkey breast for 12 to 24 hours. Do not exceed 24 hours, as this can make the meat mushy when cooked.

Step 5: Remove from Brine and Pat Dry

After brining, remove the turkey breast from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel. If you have the time, let the turkey breast air dry in the fridge uncovered for another 12 to 24 hours. This step will help the skin dry out and make it crisp up better when cooked.

Tips:

• No need to rinse the turkey after brining. Doing so may risk contamination, and the salt from the brine will have already penetrated the meat.
• If you don't have enough fridge space, you can brine the turkey breast in a cooler filled with ice or ice water, ensuring the temperature doesn't exceed 40°F.
• Brining can slightly reduce cooking time, so check your turkey about 45 minutes before your calculated cooking time.

Now that you know how to brine a turkey breast, you can move on to cooking it in your air fryer!

How to cook a turkey breast in an air fryer

Ingredients

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you'll need a turkey breast weighing somewhere between one and seven pounds. You can use a boneless turkey breast, or a bone-in breast with the ribs removed. You'll also need:

• Olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic
• Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme or sage
• Poultry seasoning

Method

• If your turkey breast is frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge.
• Brine the turkey breast for at least 18 hours. To make a brine, add half a cup of salt to six cups of boiling water. Stir until the salt dissolves, then allow the water to cool to room temperature. Place the turkey breast, cavity side up, in a large stock pot. Pour the brine over the turkey, then cover with cool water. Add your favourite seasonings, cover, and place in the fridge for 18-24 hours.
• Remove the turkey breast from the pot and rinse under cool water. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Combine butter or olive oil with herbs and seasonings, then carefully lift the skin from the breast and spread the mixture underneath. Alternatively, rub the butter or oil all over the turkey breast, then season.
• Preheat your air fryer to at least 350°F (177°C) for five minutes.
• Place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Cook for 17-20 minutes per pound, flipping halfway through. The turkey is done when the skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat (without touching the bone) reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Remove the turkey from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving.

Tips

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey doesn't overcook.
• Fresh turkey breast will taste better than frozen.
• If you brine your turkey, you won't need to add any salt when seasoning.
• If you're using a boneless turkey breast with netting, don't remove the netting before cooking. This will help the breast stay together and cook more evenly.
• If your air fryer is large enough, you can cook a bone-in turkey breast with the ribs still attached. Lay the breast on its side and cook for 25 minutes, then flip over and continue cooking until the breast reaches 155°F (70°C).

How to carve a turkey breast

Allow the cooked turkey breast to rest on a carving board for at least 10-15 minutes under foil loosely tented. This will allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat moist.

Use a large, sharp knife to run alongside the breast bone, using long, even strokes. If you are using a serrated knife, use a sawing motion. Follow the bone all the way down to the bottom of the board.

Bring your knife around to the front and connect where you started carving at the top of the breast bone.

Cut down the ribs, following the bone around and down to the bottom to connect to the bottom of the first breast bone cut.

Pull the meat away from the bone and slice. Repeat the same on the other side.

Tips

• If your turkey breast is frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat.
• For a bone-in turkey breast, cook skin side down for the first half of the cooking time.

How to store and reheat a cooked turkey breast

Storing

Once your turkey breast is cooked, it's important to let it cool down to room temperature, which can take up to two hours. Then, slice the meat into portions that will fit into resealable bags or airtight containers. Try to keep the bones attached to minimise the exposure of the meat to the air. Wrap each piece tightly and place them in the fridge. Cooked turkey stored this way will remain safe to eat for three to four days.

Reheating

There are several ways to reheat a cooked turkey breast, including using an air fryer, an oven, a stovetop, or a microwave.

Air Fryer

Grease the air fryer basket and put the turkey inside until heated to your desired temperature.

Oven

If you're reheating a large amount of turkey, the oven is a good option. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Slice the turkey breast meat thinly and remove the leg meat from the bone. Place the meat in a roasting tin or gratin dish and pour in enough turkey or chicken stock to create a layer of about 5mm at the bottom of the dish. Add small pieces of butter (around 25g in total) and cover the dish tightly with foil. Roast for 30 minutes, or until the meat reaches a temperature of 75°C.

Stovetop

For those who prefer to use the stovetop, add 1/4 inch of broth to a large skillet and arrange the turkey in a single layer. Cover the skillet and bring the broth to a simmer, cooking gently until the meat is heated through.

Microwave

If you're only reheating one or two portions, the microwave is a convenient option. Slice the breast meat thinly and remove the leg meat from the bone, placing it in a microwave-safe dish and drizzling with stock or gravy. Cook for 2 minutes on a medium-high setting, then check the temperature. If it's not hot enough, cook in 30-second bursts until piping hot.

What to serve with air fryer turkey breast

When it comes to serving air fryer turkey breast, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Vegetables

Vegetables are a perfect side dish for this juicy and tender protein. Some tasty options include roasted acorn squash, creamed corn, roasted Brussels sprouts, or mashed sweet potatoes. You can also try roasted asparagus, sautéed broccoli, or a stunning creamy spinach recipe.

Salads

For a lighter option, slice the turkey breast and serve it over a bed of greens such as a kale or spinach salad. You can also try a roasted butternut squash salad, a Thanksgiving salad, or a shaved Brussels sprouts salad as a side.

Casseroles

If you're serving this turkey for a holiday meal, a sweet potato or green bean casserole would be a great choice. You could also try a cheesy zucchini casserole.

Classic Sides

Of course, you can't go wrong with the classics. Mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and Brussels sprouts are all traditional sides that would pair well with air fryer turkey breast.

Starches and Grains

Some other options include rice salads, pasta, steamed rice, or even air fryer French fries.

Hearty Salads

Use the turkey as the main protein source and pair it with a hearty salad like a rice salad or green goddess salad.

Holiday Desserts

Finish your meal with a sweet treat like a crustless pumpkin pie!

Frequently asked questions