5 lb Turkey Breast Recipe: A Thanksgiving Feast for the Smaller Crowd

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. But if you’re hosting a smaller gathering this year, you might not need a whole turkey. That’s where this 5 lb turkey breast recipe comes in. It’s the perfect solution for a smaller Thanksgiving feast, and it’s just as flavorful and juicy as a whole turkey.

The Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey Breast Recipe for a Smaller Crowd

This recipe is adapted from two popular sources: How Sweet Eats and Dinner at the Zoo, Both recipes are highly rated and have been tested by thousands of home cooks I’ve combined the best of both worlds to create a recipe that is both easy to follow and delicious,

Ingredients:

• 1 (5 lb) bone-in turkey breast
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Fresh herbs, for serving
• Gravy (see below)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet or inside a roasting pan.
2. Let the turkey sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. In a bowl, mixture together the butter, brown sugar, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, and garlic. You want it to be totally combined and like a spreadable paste.
4. Place the turkey breast on the rack. Rub the butter mixture all over the turkey breast, lifting some of the skin (gently!) and getting it underneath if you can.
5. Roast the turkey breast for about 90 minutes, rotating the pan once during cook time. You want the internal temperature to read 165 degrees F. Remove the turkey and let it rest for 30 minutes before slicing. I often use the rest time to make the gravy.

Gravy:

• Drippings from the turkey – anywhere from ¼ cup to ⅔ cup
• 16 ounces chicken or turkey stock
• 3 heaping tablespoons all-purpose flour

1. Pour the drippings from the turkey through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl. I like to strain out any of the larger bits before whisking them into the gravy.
2. Heat the drippings in a saucepan over medium heat. In a shaker cup, shake the stock and flour together for at least 30 seconds to make a slurry, until it is fully combined.
3. Pour the slurry into the drippings in the pan, whisking the entire time. Continue to whisk to avoid any lumps and stir until the gravy has thickened, anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. Make sure you are scraping the bottom of the pan! Stirring is key – I have stood and stirred gravy for 20 to 30 minutes at a time!
4. Taste the gravy and season it with salt and pepper to your liking. Salt and pepper make all the difference here. The drippings and stock add flavor, but the salt is what brings the flavor out.
5. Keep the gravy over low heat, stirring often, for serving.

Tips:

• For a crispy skin, let the turkey breast sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before roasting.
• Baste the turkey breast with the pan drippings every 20 minutes or so for extra flavor.
• Let the turkey breast rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the meat more tender.

Variations:

• If you’re not in the mood for garlic and herbs, try one of these other options to add some flavor to your roasted turkey breast:
  • Mexican: Mix the softened butter with taco seasoning which includes chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and oregano.
  • Cajun: Mix the softened butter with Cajun seasoning.
  • Bacon Wrapped: Wrap 6-8 strips of bacon around the turkey breast until completely covered. This works best if you remove the turkey skin first.
  • Maple: Add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to the butter mixture.

Additional Resources:

• Dinner at the Zoo: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/roasted-turkey-breast/
• How Sweet Eats: https://www.howsweeteats.com/2023/11/easy-roasted-turkey-breast-2/

This 5 lb turkey breast recipe is the perfect solution for a smaller Thanksgiving feast. It’s easy to follow, flavorful, and juicy. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can have a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving meal.