RecipesThanksgivingthanksgiving-turkey-recipes
We're giving you permission to skip the whole bird.
By
Julie R. ThomsonTaste Senior Editor, HuffPostEverything Thanksgiving: Get all our Thanksgiving recipes, how-to’s and more!
For many people, turkey is a deal breaker come Thanksgiving. But making a whole bird is a big to-do. You have to figure out whether you want tobrine it orstuff it, calculatehow long to cook it, and then try to carve it without destroying the whole thing. It’s work, for sure.
If you don’t feel quite ready to take it on this year, we’re giving you permission to skip it. Not the turkey, just the whole bird. Instead, make turkey breast.
Turkey breast is the perfect solution for smaller gatherings, or it’s great if you just want ease into the holiday season. We’ve got 16 festive recipes for you to choose from, all of them delicious and stress free. (And the best news? They don’t take nearly as long to defrost or roast.)
Some call for the bone in, and others call for boneless. Just be sure you’re buying the right kind when you’re at the store.
1
Damn Delicious
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
2
Oh, Sweet Basil
The Most Amazing Apple Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast
3
Completely Delicious
Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast
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4
Damn Delicious
Sheet Pan Herb Roasted Turkey and Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
5
Inspired Taste
Orange Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
Get the Orange Herb Roasted Turkey Breast recipe from Inspired Taste
6
Feasting At Home
Roasted Turkey Breast with Rosemary and Garlic
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7
Whitney Bond
Cranberry Glazed Turkey Breast
Get the Cranberry Glazed Turkey Breast recipe from Whitney Bond
8
From A Chef's Kitchen
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Turkey Breast With Garlic And Herb Sauce
Get the Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Turkey Breast with Garlic and Herb Sauce recipe from From A Chef's Kitchen
9
Orange-Honey Glazed Roasted Turkey Breasts
Get the Orange-Honey Glazed Roasted Turkey Breasts recipe from A Cozy Apron
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10
Foodie Crush
Roasted Turkey Breast With Lemon And Oregano
Get the Roasted Turkey Breast With Lemon And Oregano recipe from Foodie Crush
11
The Noshery
Spiced Apple Cider Glazed Turkey Breast
Get the Spiced Apple Cider Glazed Turkey Breast recipe from The Noshery
12
A Cozy Apron
Roasted Turkey Breast Roulade
Get the Roasted Turkey Breast Roulade recipe from A Cozy Apron
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13
Whisk It Real Gud
Slow Cooker Cajun Turkey Breast with Maple Glaze
14
The Creative Bite
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast In Cranberry Sauce
Get the Slow Cooker Turkey Breast In Cranberry Sauce recipe from The Creative Bite
15
Feasting at Home
Roasted Turkey Breast With Blueberry Balsamic Glaze
Get the Roasted Turkey Breast with Blueberry Balsamic Glaze recipe from Feasting at Home
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16
In Sock Monkey Slippers
Roasted Turkey Breast With Maple Bourbon Glaze
Get the Roasted Turkey Breast with Maple Bourbon Glaze recipe from In Sock Monkey Slippers
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Before You Go
The Best Roasting Pans To Buy For Your Thanksgiving Turkey And Beyond
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro tri-ply stainless 16-inch roaster(01 of 07)
This roasting pan is winner for both America's Test Kitchen and Wirecutter. ATK noted that it seared meat without buckling or burning and gave veggies an even, golden-brown crust, while its flat bottom aided with deglazing. Wirecutter said it cooked more evenly than others in its price range, noting it could handle a 20-pound turkey. "We can’t find another roasting pan that can sear as well on the stove and roast as evenly in the oven for under $100," its testers reported. (credit: Amazon)
Viking 16-inch culinary roaster with two-piece carving set(02 of 07)
ATK lists Viking's 16-inch tri-ply roaster among its recommendations, noting that although their pan is heavier than some others, it's also "handsome" and "durable." This version at Amazon, which can handle a turkey up to 25 pounds, comes with a matching carving knife and serving fork. (credit: Amazon)
Cooks Standard 16-inch stainless steel roaster(03 of 07)
This pan in the 14-inch size was America's Test Kitchen's "best buy" pick for small roasters with racks, but it no longer available. But this 16-inch size is made of the same materials, only two inches bigger, and may be all smaller households need (and prove to be a more versatile size year-round). Testers noted that although not made with tri-ply, the 14-inch model was thick enough to still retain and control heat well. (credit: Amazon)
All-Clad HA1 hard-anodized nonstick roaster and rack(04 of 07)
Consider this an expert pick by Amazon buyers, because this All-Clad hard-anodized nonstick roaster has an impressive 4.8-star rating from users — and it's on sale right now as an early Black Friday deal. The 16-inch size is perfect for family-sized birds and vegetables, and the sleek, curved roaster has tall straight sides and double-riveted handles to make it both chic and heavy-duty, with all the quality you expect from All-Clad. It's oven-safe to 500 degrees and works with any stovetop, including induction. (credit: Amazon)
Le Creuset stainless steel 14-inch roasting pan(05 of 07)
This was an ATK winning recommendation for small roasting pans, based on the way it turned out "beautiful" browned food. The body is tri-ply, the V-shaped rack is nonstick, and unlike some others, this roaster works on induction cooktops. The smaller size will be versatile year-round. (credit: Amazon)
All-Clad stainless steel flared roasting pan(06 of 07)
The top performer in Wirecutter's tests, both in the oven and on the stovetop, is this premium roaster that's exclusive to Williams Sonoma. Testers praised it for producing the most golden, crispy skin and for the low, flared sides helping to disperse heat evenly. Some cooks prefer the flat rack, too, since it can be a bit more versatile for other cuts of meat. The only catch is that it's more expensive than others, leading Wirecutter to name it their "upgrade" pick. (credit: Williams Sonoma)
A nonstick roasting rack to use with a rimmed baking sheet(07 of 07)
If you don't have the budget or space for a roaster, don't panic: We've even roasted a turkey on rolled-up aluminum foil in a pinch. A better option, as Serious Eats points out, is to buy a rack like this one to use with a rimmed baking sheet you already have in your kitchen. Just be very, very careful when you're moving your bird to and from the oven, especially if you've got hot juices sloshing near the rim of your pan. (credit: Amazon)