Description
A flavorful Honey Baked Turkey recipe featuring a tender roasted boneless turkey breast seasoned with a blend of spices and glazed with a sweet honey glaze infused with butter, white wine, and Dijon mustard. Perfectly roasted to juicy perfection, this dish is ideal for festive occasions or a special family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Seasoning
- 3 pounds boneless turkey breast
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
Honey Glaze
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
- 2 tablespoons white wine
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- The Day Before – Prep the Turkey: Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the seasoning stick better. In a small dish, combine kosher salt, poultry seasoning, ground paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. Rub this seasoning mixture thoroughly all over the turkey breast. Wrap the seasoned turkey tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to marinate overnight, or for at least 8 hours, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat Oven: On the day of cooking, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to ensure even roasting of the turkey breast.
- Prepare Turkey for Roasting: Place the seasoned turkey breast in a baking dish. Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and rub it evenly over the surface of the turkey to promote browning and add richness during roasting.
- Initial Roasting: Place the turkey breast in the preheated oven and roast it for 30 minutes to start the cooking process and develop a nice crust.
- Make the Honey Glaze: While the turkey is roasting, prepare the glaze by combining honey, 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, white wine, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and ground black pepper in a saucepan. Put the saucepan on medium-high heat until the mixture starts to bubble. Then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened and well combined.
- Apply First Glaze: After the initial 30 minutes of roasting, remove the turkey from the oven and spread one-third of the prepared honey glaze evenly over the surface. If the turkey skin starts to brown too rapidly, loosely cover the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Continue Roasting and Glazing: Return the turkey to the oven and roast for an additional 30 minutes. Remove it again and brush another one-third of the glaze over the turkey. Then continue roasting for the final 15 minutes.
- Check Doneness and Final Glaze: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the turkey; it should read 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is safe and fully cooked. Spread the remaining honey glaze over the turkey for a glossy, flavorful finish.
- Rest the Turkey: Loosely cover the turkey breast with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a moist and tender turkey.
- Serve: After resting, carve the turkey breast and serve warm with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavor and juiciness of the turkey.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking and ensure food safety.
- If you don’t have white wine, you can substitute with chicken broth or apple cider vinegar for the glaze.
- For a crisper skin, you may broil the turkey for a few minutes at the end of cooking, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Leftover turkey can be used in sandwiches, salads, or soups.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus overnight marinating)
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Honey baked turkey, roasted turkey breast, honey glaze turkey, holiday turkey recipe, easy turkey breast
