Overview
Cooking a boneless, skinless turkey breast with broth is a great way to prepare a moist and flavorful turkey breast for meals like Thanksgiving or any time you want turkey. The broth keeps the turkey breast from drying out while cooking. JENNIE-O is a popular brand of turkey products. Follow these simple steps for cooking a JENNIE-O boneless skinless turkey breast in broth.
Ingredients
- 1 JENNIE-O boneless, skinless turkey breast (2-3 lbs)
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage (optional)
Steps
1. Prepare the turkey breast
Remove the turkey breast from the packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Trim off any excess fat or skin. Rinse the turkey breast and pat dry again. Brush all over with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. You can also rub on fresh herbs for extra flavor.
2. Preheat oven and heat broth
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small saucepan, heat the chicken or turkey broth over medium heat until warm, but not boiling. You can use low-sodium canned or boxed broth.
3. Sear the turkey breast
In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, sear the turkey breast for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. This helps develop flavor.
4. Transfer to oven and add broth
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Carefully pour the warmed broth into the bottom of the skillet. The broth should come about 1/4 to 1/2 inch up the side of the turkey breast.
5. Roast and baste
Roast for 45-60 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, basting every 15 minutes with the pan juices. Basting helps keep the turkey breast moist.
6. Rest, slice and serve
Remove turkey breast from oven, tent with foil and let rest 15 minutes. The temperature will rise about 10°F as it rests. Slice into 1/2 inch slices. Serve warm with the pan juices spooned over the top if desired. Enjoy!
Tips
- For best results, allow the turkey breast to soak in the broth in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or overnight before cooking. This helps infuse it with moisture and flavor.
- Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness.
- You can use chicken, turkey, or vegetable broth.
- For deeper flavor, add aromatics to the broth like onion, celery, carrots, garlic, peppercorns, or bay leaf.
- Brush with a flavored butter instead of olive oil for more flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Letting the turkey rest after cooking allows the juices to redistribute through the meat.
- Cover loosely with foil while resting to prevent cooling too quickly.
- Slice against the grain of the meat for tender slices.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Common Questions
How long does it take to cook a 2 lb turkey breast?
A 2 pound boneless, skinless turkey breast will take about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes to cook at 350°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Larger breasts over 3 pounds may need up to 1 1/2 hours.
Can you cook a turkey breast from frozen?
Yes, you can cook a frozen turkey breast without thawing first. Add 1-2 hours to the cooking time. Make sure the breast is completely thawed before checking temperature, as frozen areas can misread. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.
What is the best way to thaw a turkey breast?
For best results and food safety, thaw turkey breast in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking. A 2-3 pound breast may need 48 hours to thaw. You can quick thaw in cold water in 30-45 minutes, changing water every 15-20 minutes. Cook immediately after quick thawing.
What temp should I cook a turkey breast to?
Cook turkey breast to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured in the thickest part. This ensures it reaches a safe temperature to destroy any potential bacteria.
Can I stuff a boneless turkey breast?
You can add stuffing to a boneless turkey breast by carefully slicing a pocket to stuff seasoned bread cubes, vegetables, or other aromatics. Pound the breast to a flat even thickness before stuffing. Secure the opening with toothpicks. Cook as directed allowing extra time if stuffed.
What do you stuff in a turkey breast?
Some tasty stuffing options for turkey breast include:
- Bread stuffing – Breakfast bread cubes, sausage, celery, onions, herbs
- Cornbread stuffing – Cornbread crumbs, sausage, pecans, cranberries
- Apple stuffing – Sourdough bread, apples, walnuts, onion, celery
- Wild rice stuffing – Cooked wild rice, mushrooms, carrots, leeks
What spices go well with turkey breast?
Season turkey breast with these tasty spice blends and herbs:
- Poultry seasoning – Sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram
- Italian seasoning – Oregano, basil, garlic, parsley
- Herbes de Provence – Thyme, rosemary, oregano, lavender
- Fresh herbs – Rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley
- Smoked paprika
- Ground ginger
- Ground mustard
- Chili powder
- Cumin
Nutrition
Boneless, skinless turkey breast is a lean, protein-rich choice with less fat than turkey with skin. A 3 ounce serving provides:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Protein | 28g |
| Fat | 1g |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Sodium | 65mg |
Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein, B vitamins like niacin, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.
Recipe Variations
There are many tasty ways to vary this basic turkey breast recipe:
- Citrus Brown Sugar Turkey Breast – Brine turkey breast overnight in a brown sugar and citrus juice solution. Roast with orange slices.
- Herb Roasted Turkey Breast – Coat turkey breast in a mix of fresh herb pesto before roasting.
- Apple Cider Turkey Breast – Use apple cider instead of broth. Roast with apple slices.
- Southwestern Turkey Breast – Season with chili powder, cumin, garlic, cayenne. Add diced chiles to the broth.
- Barbecue Turkey Breast – Brush turkey with your favorite barbecue sauce the last 15 minutes of roasting.
Let your imagination run wild! Turkey breast pairs well with many flavors.
How to Use Leftover Turkey Breast
Leftover cooked turkey breast is versatile for all kinds of easy meals:
- Turkey sandwiches – Layer turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado on bread or a bagel
- Turkey salad – Chop turkey, mix with mayo, mustard, celery, relish, serve over greens
- Quesadillas – Shred turkey, add to tortillas with shredded cheese
- Enchiladas – Fill tortillas with shredded turkey and enchilada sauce
- Tacos – Top soft tortillas with chopped turkey, lettuce, tomato, avocado
- Soup – Dice and add to vegetable, pasta, or rice soup
- Casseroles – Turkey divan, turkey tetrazzini, cheesy turkey rice
- Breakfast – Add chopped turkey to scrambled eggs, omelets, hash, or grits
Get creative with leftovers! Turkey breast reheats beautifully in the oven, microwave, or skillet.
Conclusion
Cooking a JENNIE-O boneless skinless turkey breast in broth is an easy and delicious way to prepare moist, flavorful turkey for any occasion. Allow it to soak in broth ahead of time for maximum juiciness. Cook to 165°F internal temperature for food safety. Slice and serve warm, saving leftovers for easy meals all week long. With endless ways to season and use in recipes, turkey breast is a versatile and healthy ingredient to always have on hand.