Roasting The Perfect Stuffed Turkey Breast: Timing And Techniques

how long do you roast a stuffed turkey breast

Cooking a stuffed turkey breast is a great option for smaller gatherings and only takes a fraction of the time compared to cooking a whole turkey. The cooking time depends on the weight of the turkey breast and the temperature of the oven. A stuffed turkey breast weighing 5 pounds will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes to cook in an oven heated to 375°F. However, it's important to ensure that the meat is cooked to a safe internal temperature. The thickest parts of the turkey roll and the stuffing should reach around 165°F.

Characteristics Values
Ideal for Smaller gatherings
Oven temperature 325°F-450°F
Roasting time 1 hour and 15 minutes-4 hours
Internal temperature 155°F-170°F
Resting time 10-20 minutes

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How to prepare the turkey breast for stuffing

Preparing a turkey breast for stuffing is a relatively simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare a turkey breast for stuffing:

Choose the Right Turkey Breast

Select a suitable turkey breast for your needs. A bone-in, skin-on turkey breast is a good option, and you can ask your butcher to bone and butterfly it for you or even pound it to the desired thickness. A typical weight range for a whole bone-in turkey breast is between 4 to 6 pounds. If you prefer a boneless breast, aim for one that weighs around 4 pounds.

Brining (Optional)

Brining the turkey breast is optional but recommended, especially if you are using white meat, as it can tend to be dry. Use a basic brine solution and follow the instructions for brining time. This step should be done at least a day in advance to allow enough time for the meat to absorb the brine.

Prepare the Stuffing

The type of stuffing you choose is a matter of personal preference. Traditional bread-based stuffing is a popular choice, but you can also experiment with alternatives like rice or roasted vegetables. If you decide to make a bread stuffing, cut the bread into cubes, and dry them in the oven for a crunchier texture. You can also add herbs, spices, and other ingredients like onions, celery, and apples to enhance the flavour of your stuffing.

Butterfly the Turkey Breast

Place the turkey breast on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to butterfly it. Carefully cut through the meat horizontally, being mindful not to cut all the way through. Open the meat like a book, and if needed, use a meat mallet or rolling pin to flatten it out further. This step ensures that the turkey breast is an even thickness, creating more surface area for the stuffing.

Stuff and Roll the Turkey Breast

Spread your chosen stuffing over the opened turkey breast, leaving a margin of about 1 inch (2.5 cm) around the edges. Start rolling from a short end, tucking in the sides as you go, to form a compact cylinder. If you prefer, you can tie the roll with kitchen string to secure it, but this is not necessary if you have rolled it tightly.

Barding (Optional)

If your turkey breast does not have skin, or if you want to add extra moisture and flavour, you can wrap it in prosciutto, pancetta, bacon, or turkey bacon. This technique, known as "barding," helps keep the meat moist and infuses additional flavours.

Roasting Preparation

Place the stuffed and rolled turkey breast in a roasting pan. If you have not used string to secure the roll, you may want to consider using some kitchen twine to tie the roll at this stage, ensuring it doesn't unravel during roasting. Drizzle the turkey with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.

Roasting

Follow the recommended roasting guidelines for the weight of your turkey breast. As a general rule, roast the turkey breast at 350°F (180°C) for approximately 20 minutes per pound (450g) of meat, plus an additional 20 minutes. However, the best way to determine doneness is by using a meat thermometer. The thickest part of the turkey roll should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (70°C).

Resting and Serving

Once the turkey breast is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 10–15 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and juicy final product. Finally, slice the turkey breast and serve it with your choice of sides and gravy.

Perfectly Roasted: Cooking a 5-lb Roast

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How to make the stuffing

Ingredients

  • Butter
  • Onion
  • Celery
  • Garlic
  • Mild Italian pork sausage (or chicken/turkey sausage)
  • White wine (or orange/apple juice)
  • Fresh rosemary and thyme (or other herbs)
  • Egg
  • Stuffing cubes (or stale/dried bread cubes)
  • Chicken broth (or turkey broth)
  • Parsley
  • Turkey breast
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • Prosciutto, pancetta, or bacon (optional)

Method

  • Make the stuffing by melting butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the onions and celery and cook, stirring frequently, until soft.
  • Add the garlic and sausage. Continue to cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the sausage is cooked and slightly browned.
  • Add the wine, rosemary, and thyme. Cook for a further 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Remove from the heat.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg, stuffing cubes, chicken broth, parsley, salt, pepper, and sausage mixture. Stir until all the bread is moistened.
  • Place the butterflied turkey breast skin-side down on a work surface.
  • Spoon the stuffing over the breast, leaving a 1-inch border.
  • Roll the turkey into a cylinder, starting at the long end.
  • Tie the roll with kitchen string, leaving about 2 inches between each knot, then trim the strings.
  • Place an oven-proof rack over a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil. Put the turkey on the rack, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Roast for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the roll reads 155°F.
  • Remove the turkey from the oven and let rest, loosely covered with foil, for 15 minutes. The temperature will rise to 165°F as it rests.
  • Transfer the roll to a cutting board and slice into 1/2-inch thick slices. Arrange on a platter and serve with gravy.

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How to roll and secure the turkey breast

To roll and secure a turkey breast, you will need a sharp knife and some kitchen twine. Here is a step-by-step guide:

  • Place the butterflied turkey breast skin-side down on a work surface. If you haven't butterflied the turkey breast yet, place it skin-side up on a large cutting board. Starting at the tapered bottom, slowly peel the skin away from the flesh. Set the skin aside for later.
  • Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the turkey breast to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.
  • Spread the filling. Leave a 1-inch border all around the turkey breast.
  • Starting at the long end, roll the turkey into a tight log, making sure to completely enclose the stuffing. Take the reserved piece of skin and fit it over the seam of the turkey log.
  • Use kitchen twine to secure the log. Tie the breast at 1-inch intervals. Tuck in the ends of the turkey and loop a piece of twine around them to keep the stuffing inside.

Your stuffed turkey breast is now ready to be roasted!

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How long to roast the turkey breast for

The cooking time for a stuffed turkey breast will depend on the weight of the meat and the temperature of the oven. A stuffed turkey breast weighing 5 pounds will take 1 hour and 15 minutes to cook in an oven heated to 375°F. A 4-pound turkey breast will take 1 hour and 20 minutes to cook in an oven heated to 400°F.

As a general rule, a stuffed turkey breast will take 30 minutes per pound to cook, plus an additional 20 minutes. For example, a 2-pound turkey breast will take 1 hour to cook. A good way to check if your turkey breast is cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The thickest part of the turkey roll should read around 165°F when fully cooked. The temperature will increase slightly to about 170°F while the meat rests.

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How to serve the turkey breast

Now that your stuffed turkey breast is cooked to perfection, it's time to serve this delicious roast! Here are some tips and suggestions to make your meal memorable:

Rest the Meat:

Let the turkey breast rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes before carving and serving. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute and settle into the meat, ensuring a juicy and tender texture.

Carving and Presentation:

You can carve the turkey breast directly at the table or cut it into slices on a cutting board before bringing it to the table. Presenting the whole roasted turkey breast on a serving platter surrounded by your choice of sides can make for an impressive display.

Sides and Accompaniments:

Complement your stuffed turkey breast with an array of sides and accompaniments to create a well-rounded meal. Here are some suggestions:

  • Mashed potatoes
  • Homemade rolls
  • Stuffing
  • Sweet potato casserole
  • Turkey gravy
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Roasted vegetables or Hasselback potatoes
  • Salads

Leftovers:

If you have any leftovers, there are numerous ways to repurpose them. Create tasty sandwiches, casseroles, or wraps, such as a Turkey Club Wrap or Turkey Cranberry Almond Wrap. You can also add leftover turkey to soups, stews, or salads.

Reheating:

If you're serving the stuffed turkey breast after it has been cooked and rested, reheat slices in a shallow pan on the stovetop with a drizzle of olive oil or broth to keep it moist. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a 300°F oven until warmed through, ensuring it doesn't dry out.

Remember, the key to serving a delicious stuffed turkey breast is to ensure it's well-rested, carve it carefully, and pair it with complementary sides. Enjoy your meal and savour the flavours!

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