There’s something truly comforting about a turkey breast that comes out tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor — and that’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Juicy Garlic Herb Roast Turkey Breast Recipe with you. It’s a delightful roast that fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas and gives you that perfect holiday centerpiece without the fuss.

A golden brown roasted turkey sits in the center of a large white rectangular dish, showing a crispy, textured skin with some dark seasoning spots. Around the turkey, there are bright orange and yellow chrysanthemum flowers, red and yellow flowers, and fresh green leafy herbs, all inviting and vibrant. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface, with a soft-focus white background. The warm colors of the flowers contrast beautifully with the rich, roasted turkey tones, making the whole presentation look fresh and festive. 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 Garlic Herb Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Juicy Garlic Herb Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Juicy Garlic Herb Roast Turkey Breast Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This roast turkey breast isn’t just any roast—it's packed with fresh garlic, herbs, and the kind of buttery goodness that makes every bite a cozy celebration. I can confidently say it has become my go-to recipe when I want a reliable, show-stopping dish that doesn’t take days to prepare.

Perfectly Juicy Every Time: The brined turkey breast and herb butter combo seals in moisture, so you won’t get any of that dry, tough turkey we all dread.
Easy Yet Impressive: Requires minimal hands-on time and no flipping, so even busy home cooks can nail it without stress.
Deep, Layered Flavors: Fresh garlic, poultry herbs, and slow roasting create a rich, comforting flavor profile that feels festive but approachable.
Delicious Pan Gravy: The drippings transform into a luscious gravy that elevates every bite, making sure nothing goes to waste.

The image shows a white plate with two rows of sliced cooked chicken arranged side by side, each slice showing a browned, slightly crispy outer layer and tender white inside. The chicken slices are covered with a smooth, light brown gravy that drips slightly down the sides. Fresh green herbs are sprinkled over the chicken and placed around the edges of the plate, adding texture and color contrast. On the right side of the plate near the edge, there is a bright orange flower. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a red and white striped cloth partially visible in the bottom left corner. A gold fork rests near the top right edge of the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Juicy Garlic Herb Roast Turkey Breast Recipe comes down to fresh, simple ingredients that complement each other perfectly. Each one is chosen to boost moisture, flavor, and aroma while letting the turkey’s natural taste shine.

Flat lay of a whole bone-in, skin-on turkey breast with golden skin, a cluster of whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, two medium onions thinly sliced into rings, several bright orange slices, a small bunch of fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage sprigs tied loosely together, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale golden olive oil, another small white bowl holding soft unsalted butter chunks, a simple white bowl containing smooth Dijon mustard, a delicate arrangement of ground spices including paprika, dried rosemary, dried parsley, dried thyme, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and pepper carefully placed on a clean white surface, a small white bowl with pale chicken broth, and a small mound of all-purpose flour on a white ceramic plate, all 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

Bone-in, skin-on brined turkey breast: Brining ensures it stays moist and flavorful while the bone helps distribute heat evenly.
Garlic cloves: Smashing the garlic releases its intense aroma and mellowed sweetness during roasting.
Medium onions: Adding sweetness and complexity to the roasting pan, enhancing the drippings for the gravy.
Orange slices: They add a subtle citrus brightness that cuts through the richness.
Fresh poultry blend herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage): Classic herbs that perfectly complement turkey without overpowering it.
Chicken broth (low sodium): Keeps everything juicy in the roasting pan and forms the base of the delicious gravy.
Unsalted butter: The secret to that rich, golden-brown finish and flavorful crust under the skin.
Olive oil: Helps the herb butter spread easily and adds a touch of earthiness.
Dijon mustard: Gives a subtle tang that balances the buttery richness beautifully.
Garlic powder, paprika, dried rosemary, dried parsley, salt: These dried spices add concentrated flavor and color for depth and savory notes.
Dried thyme, oregano, onion powder, ground cumin, pepper: An aromatic blend that rounds out seasoning for a well-balanced taste.
Flour: Perfect for thickening the pan gravy to a silky, perfect consistency.
Chicken bouillon (optional): Useful to boost flavor if your gravy needs a little extra punch.

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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

This is one recipe where I encourage you to make it your own. I’ve tried swapping out herbs based on the season, and even playing with the seasoning amounts depending on mood. It’s forgiving and flavorful, so there’s room to tweak to your taste.

Variation: One time, I added a splash of white wine to the roasting pan along with the chicken broth to add brightness to the gravy. It turned out beautifully and gave the sauce a lovely tangy complexity.
Herb Mix Swap: Feel free to experiment with other herbs like marjoram or tarragon for a fresh twist or sub fresh basil for a summer spin.
Spice Level: If you like a little kick, a pinch of cayenne pepper mixed in with the dried spices wakes things up nicely without overpowering.
Butter Substitute: For a dairy-free version, try using a high-quality olive oil herb spread—results will be slightly different but still delicious.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Turkey and Herb Butter

First things first, preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). While it’s coming up to temperature, I mix the softened butter with olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, paprika, dried herbs, salt, pepper, and a pinch of cumin. This herb butter mixture is the star—it’ll coat the turkey under the skin and on top, keeping it juicy and infusing it with flavor. Don’t be shy—get your hands a little greasy and rubbed deep under the skin for maximum deliciousness.

Step 2: Arrange Aromatics and Add Turkey

Place the sliced onions and orange slices in the bottom of your roasting pan along with the fresh herb sprigs. These will release their wonderful aroma as the turkey roasts and keep the turkey elevated slightly, promoting even cooking. Nestle your turkey breast on top of this bed. It’s like a cozy herbal pillow!

Step 3: Butter Up and Roast

Slather half of your herb butter under the turkey skin and the other half on top, making sure it’s coated nicely. Don’t forget to tuck the wings and legs if they’re attached, so they roast evenly without burning. Pour one cup of chicken broth into the pan—it’ll keep the bottom nice and moist and create those flavorful drippings for your gravy. Then, pop it into the oven and let it slowly roast for about 2 ½ to 3 hours. I like to check around the 2-hour mark to baste it once with the pan juices—this step locks in moisture and builds that golden skin we all love.

Step 4: Make the Pan Gravy While Turkey Rests

When your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), remove it from the oven and let it rest loosely covered with foil for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, skim off any excess fat from the pan drippings, then whisk in flour and a couple of tablespoons of reserved herb butter right in the roasting pan on the stovetop. Slowly add chicken broth while whisking until silky and smooth. If you want an extra flavor boost, pop in a pinch of chicken bouillon. The gravy comes together in minutes and pairs perfectly with every slice.

Top Tip

From my experience making this recipe several times, these tips have made all the difference in getting perfectly juicy, flavorful turkey every time.

Get Under the Skin: Patience is key—carefully loosening the skin without tearing it and spreading the herb butter beneath seals in moisture and maximizes flavor.
Don’t Skip Resting: Rest your turkey after roasting to allow the juices to redistribute evenly; cutting right away means losing all that goodness on the carving board.
Use a Meat Thermometer: It’s the only way to ensure perfectly cooked breast without dried-out edges—aim for 165°F internal temp.
Save Those Drippings: They’re your gravy gold. Reserve every bit of that pan goodness for a sauce that ties the whole meal together.

How to Serve Juicy Garlic Herb Roast Turkey Breast Recipe

Garlic Herb Roast Turkey - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this turkey roasted with a light sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and a few sprigs of thyme—adds a pop of green that looks inviting and adds fresh herbal notes. Sometimes, I’ll add a thin twist of orange peel for a nice visual and a gentle citrus hint that complements the savory flavors.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this juicy roast are creamy garlic mashed potatoes, a classic green bean casserole, and a sweet cornbread stuffing. The richness of the turkey pairs beautifully with these comfort dishes and creates a well-rounded, satisfying meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive twist, I’ve served this turkey breast on a large wooden platter surrounded by roasted seasonal veggies like carrots, Brussels sprouts, and fingerling potatoes. It looks rustic and inviting, ideal for a holiday gathering. Another time, I rolled out the herb butter thickly on individual slices and added a drizzle of pan gravy tableside—always a crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I wrap the leftover turkey breast tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. Slicing the turkey before storing helps it reheat evenly and makes it easier to use in sandwiches or salads during the week.

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen sliced leftover turkey breast by placing parchment paper between slices in a freezer-safe container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, and thawing overnight in the fridge gives you ready-to-use portions for quick meals later on.

Reheating

To reheat without drying out your turkey, I suggest covering the slices with foil and warming them gently in a low oven (about 300°F) for 20–25 minutes. Adding a splash of chicken broth or gravy helps keep the meat moist and tender.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a boneless turkey breast for this recipe?

Using a boneless turkey breast is possible but I find bone-in gives better flavor and cooks more evenly, so I recommend sticking with bone-in for this Juicy Garlic Herb Roast Turkey Breast Recipe.

How long does the turkey take to roast?

Plan for about 2 ½ to 3 hours at 325°F for a 6-8 pound turkey breast. Always use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F internal temperature for best results.

Can I prepare the herb butter ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can mix the herb butter a day ahead, store it tightly wrapped in the fridge, and allow it to come to room temperature before spreading on the turkey. It’s a great time saver.

What’s the best way to keep the turkey moist while roasting?

Rubbing herb butter beneath and over the skin plus adding chicken broth in the roasting pan creates steam and basting liquid that helps keep the turkey moist and juicy throughout roasting.

Final Thoughts

This Juicy Garlic Herb Roast Turkey Breast Recipe has become a centerpiece I reach for whenever I want flavor without fuss and guaranteed deliciousness. The mix of butter, fresh herbs, and garlic creates such a cozy vibe — it’s like a warm hug in dinner form. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll keep coming back to this recipe to impress family and friends alike. Give it a go—it’s easier than you think and totally worth every bite.