11 Easy Turkey Breast Recipes for Thanksgiving and Beyond

A whole turkey isn’t always the answer- especially when you’re cooking for a smaller Thanksgiving table or just want turkey for dinner without dealing with a 15-pound bird.

three turkey breast recipes on a white table cloth


 

These turkey breast recipes include everything from classic roasted turkey and stuffed turkey breast to grilled, herbed and flavor-packed options, so you can choose the method that works best for your meal.

Not sure which one to make? Start with the quick guide below based on cooking method, flavor and crowd size.

Turkey Breast RecipeCooking MethodFlavor When to Make It
Orange Sage Turkey BreastOvenCitrus & sageElegant holiday dinner
Stuffed Turkey BreastOvenSavory, herbsClassic Thanksgiving
Herb Mayo Turkey BreastOvenSavory, herbsClassic Thanksgiving
Spicy Honey Turkey BreastGrillSweet, spicyNontraditional
turkey breast covered in orange sherry sauce

Orange Sage Turkey Breast with Creamy Sherry Sauce

Orange Sage Turkey Breast with Creamy Sherry Sauce is a flavorful and easy meal made with sherry cooking wine, fresh oranges and a sweet cream sauce.
See The Recipe!
turkey breast sliced on a cutting board

Turkey Breast with Stuffing

Oven roasted turkey breast doesn't get any better than this Stuffed Turkey Breast! Perfect for any weeknight, not just Thanksgiving!Oven roasted turkey breast doesn't get any better than this Stuffed Turkey Breast! Perfect for any weeknight, not just Thanksgiving!
See The Recipe!
angled shot of platter of roast turkey breast with oranges and cranberries

Herb Mayonnaise Roast Turkey Breast Recipe

Herb Mayonnaise Turkey Breast is a delicious roast turkey breast perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Easy to make in a fraction of the time of a whole turkey.
See The Recipe!
overhead shot of sliced slow cooker turkey breast on a platter

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe

This EASY Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is perfect during the holiday season for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Christmas, or holiday parties!
See The Recipe!
Spicy Honey Grilled Turkey is perfect for throwing on the grill for a quick and easy meal time solution!

Spicy Honey Grilled Turkey

Spicy Honey Grilled Turkey is perfect for throwing on the grill for a quick and easy meal time solution!
See The Recipe!
gravy pouring over sliced turkey breast

Apple Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast

There is not a more juicy and flavorful turkey than The Most Amazing Apple Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast!
See The Recipe!
sliced turkey breast on a cutting board

Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

Feeling a little nervous about cooking a whole turkey for Thanksgiving? Don’t! We love doing an herb roasted turkey breast and forgetting the stress!
See The Recipe!
bone-in turkey breast in the instant pot

Instant Pot Turkey Breast

Pressure cooker turkey breast that’s tender inside and crispy on the outside! Learn how to cook a bone in turkey breast in your Crock Pot Express, Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot!
See The Recipe!
overhead turkey breast on a plate

Caramelized Onion and Cranberry Stuffed Turkey

When cooking Thanksgiving for two and roasting a whole turkey is too much food, make Thanksgiving Stuffed Turkey Breast For Two with caramelized onion cranberry stuffing and turkey pan gravy!
See The Recipe!
angle slice turkey

Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

Whether you’re cooking for a small group for Thanksgiving or just craving turkey for dinner, this Oven Roasted Turkey Breast is the best!
See The Recipe!
sliced turkey breast with gravy

Smoked Turkey Breast

Smoked Turkey Breast is a delicious turkey recipe that’s perfect for the holidays, yet small enough for dinner or a small cook out. Tender, juicy turkey that has a delicious rub on it!
See The Recipe!

Chef Tips for Juicy Turkey

No one likes a dry turkey breast. Here are my best tips to make sure yours stays juicy:

  • Don’t overcook
  • Use a thermometer
  • Brine when appropriate
  • Add fat such as butter or mayo under/on the skin
  • Let it rest before carving
  • Slice against the grain
  • Don’t carve immediately

Perfect Thanksgiving Sides

The turkey is covered, now you need the sides to go with it. From traditional to unique, these sides are the best.

Turkey For a Smaller Group

Thanksgiving is going to look different this year for a lot of people. With social distancing in place, that might mean smaller gatherings than usual.

And while turkey is the star of almost all Thanksgiving dinners, a whole turkey is a LOT of meat. Especially for a small group of people. And unless you want leftover turkey for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the foreseeable future, we need another solution!

That’s where these turkey breast recipes come in! The average turkey breast serves about 4 people, which makes it the perfect for small gatherings.

Bone-In Turkey Breast

Most recipes for a boneless turkey breast can easily be swapped for a bone-in and that means you have the opportunity to make stock.

Don’t throw away the carcass! This is a great time to make homemade turkey stock which can be used in any recipe calling for vegetable or chicken stock and freezes well.

juicy turkey breast recipes
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

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