Maple Roast Turkey Breast
By America's Test KitchenPublished on October 11, 2011
Time
2¼ hours, plus 20 minutes resting
Yield
Serves 8
Ingredients
Before You Begin
If using a frozen turkey breast, thaw it in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Mix butter, salt, and pepper in small bowl. Combine maple syrup and mustard in another small bowl.
- Carefully separate turkey skin from meat. Rub butter mixture under skin. Arrange turkey breast-side up on greased V-rack set inside large roasting pan. Pour 2 cups water into bottom of pan and roast until turkey is golden, about 30 minutes.
- Decrease oven temperature to 325 degrees. Roast until turkey is deep golden brown, about 1 hour. Begin basting turkey with maple mixture every 15 minutes until skin is glossy and meat registers 160 degrees, 15 to 30 minutes. Transfer turkey to cutting board and let rest 20 minutes. Carve and serve.
- Make Ahead: After the turkey is rubbed with seasoned butter in step 2, it can be covered and refrigerated for 24 hours.
Time
2¼ hours, plus 20 minutes restingYield
Serves 8Ingredients
Ingredients
Ingredients
Why This Recipe Works
Outside of Thanksgiving, roasting an entire turkey often seems like overkill. Our Maple Roast Turkey Breast recipe is a better option for smaller gatherings. Turkey breasts are usually sold in a few varieties—natural (untreated), self-basted (injected with a brine solution), and kosher (salted and rinsed during the koshering process). We found that any of these work in this roast turkey breast recipe. If using a natural breast, we recommend brining the bird in a saltwater solution to season the meat and keep it moist. Brushing the glaze onto the bird at the end of the roasting time kept it from burning. Before roasting, we rubbed butter under the skin to add moisture and flavor to the delicate white meat. After the turkey has been rubbed with butter, it can be covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours prior to roasting.
Before You Begin
If using a frozen turkey breast, thaw it in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Mix butter, salt, and pepper in small bowl. Combine maple syrup and mustard in another small bowl.
- Carefully separate turkey skin from meat. Rub butter mixture under skin. Arrange turkey breast-side up on greased V-rack set inside large roasting pan. Pour 2 cups water into bottom of pan and roast until turkey is golden, about 30 minutes.
- Decrease oven temperature to 325 degrees. Roast until turkey is deep golden brown, about 1 hour. Begin basting turkey with maple mixture every 15 minutes until skin is glossy and meat registers 160 degrees, 15 to 30 minutes. Transfer turkey to cutting board and let rest 20 minutes. Carve and serve.
- Make Ahead: After the turkey is rubbed with seasoned butter in step 2, it can be covered and refrigerated for 24 hours.
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