The Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast Recipe Ever Made
Crafting the perfect Christmas stuffed turkey breast requires creativity and a dash of culinary magic.
Juicy meat paired with savory fillings promises a memorable holiday centerpiece.
Festive aromas will dance through your kitchen, beckoning everyone to the table.
Tender layers of flavor combine to create a stunning main course that impresses without complexity.
Seasonal herbs and carefully selected ingredients elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
Each slice promises a delightful blend of traditional and innovative cooking techniques.
You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for your next celebration.
What to Eat With Stuffed Turkey Breast
Stuffed Turkey Breast in Holiday Styles
FAQs
Stuffing a turkey breast is simple. Carefully cut a pocket in the breast, fill with prepared stuffing, and secure with twine or toothpicks. Just be gentle and don’t overfill to prevent spilling.
Absolutely! Replace the original nuts with alternatives like pecans, almonds, or walnuts. Choose nuts that complement the cranberry and herbs for added flavor and texture.
You’ll need a sharp knife for butterflying, a skillet for preparing stuffing, a roasting pan, and optional kitchen twine or toothpicks. Basic kitchen equipment works perfectly for this recipe.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The turkey is done when it reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part. This ensures the meat is safely cooked and remains juicy.
Stuffed Turkey Breast Makes Christmas Dinner Easy and Impressive
Stuffed Christmas Turkey Breast Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
Poultry:Bread Base:Aromatics and Herbs:Seasoning and Liquid Elements:Additional Components:Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast Holiday Roast Steps
Step 1: Craft Flavorful Stuffing
Start by heating a large skillet over medium flame.
Sauté your aromatic ingredients:Cook these ingredients until they become soft and translucent, releasing their delightful fragrance.
Toss in additional flavor-packed ingredients:Gradually pour chicken broth, stirring until the bread soaks up the liquid.
The stuffing should feel moist but not wet.
Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare Turkey Breast
Warm your oven to 375°F.
Carefully butterfly the turkey breast, creating a spacious pocket for the stuffing.
Massage the meat with olive oil and generously season with:Step 3: Fill and Secure Turkey
Gently spoon the prepared stuffing into the turkey breast pocket.
Ensure it’s snug but not overflowing.
Carefully fold the meat back together, using kitchen twine or toothpicks to keep it intact.
Step 4: Roast to Perfection
Place the stuffed turkey breast in a roasting pan.
Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until the internal temperature hits 165°F.
Every 20 minutes, baste the turkey with its own juices to maintain moisture.
If the skin browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
Step 5: Rest and Present
After removing from the oven, let the turkey rest for 10 minutes.
This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice is tender and succulent.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve to your delighted guests.
Easy Holiday Tips for Stuffed Turkey Breast
Best Way to Store Stuffed Turkey Breast
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Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Festive Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast delivers holiday magic on a single plate, blending traditional flavors with elegant presentation. Succulent meat wrapped around savory herbs and aromatic spices promises a memorable meal that will delight holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Protein:
- 1 boneless turkey breast (about 3–4 pounds)
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Stuffing Ingredients:
- 2 cups cubed day-old bread (preferably sourdough or French bread)
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Transform the stuffing base by gently sautéing diced onions, celery, and minced garlic in melted butter until they become translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Incorporate cubed bread, dried cranberries, and chopped nuts into the vegetable mixture, creating a rich and textured foundation for the stuffing.
- Sprinkle fresh parsley, dried sage, salt, and pepper to elevate the flavor profile, ensuring a harmonious blend of herbaceous and savory notes.
- Introduce chicken broth gradually, allowing the bread to absorb the liquid while maintaining a moist but not soggy consistency. Set the stuffing aside to cool and meld flavors.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a culinary canvas for the festive turkey breast.
- Carefully butterfly the turkey breast, creating a generous pocket for the stuffing, ensuring even distribution and maximum flavor infusion.
- Massage the turkey with olive oil, then generously coat with a robust blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and rosemary.
- Delicately spoon the prepared stuffing into the turkey’s pocket, taking care not to overfill, which could compromise the delicate balance of meat and filling.
- Secure the stuffed turkey breast by gently folding it back together, using kitchen twine or toothpicks to maintain its elegant shape.
- Roast the turkey in the preheated oven, allowing it to develop a golden, crispy exterior while maintaining a succulent interior.
- Periodically baste the turkey with its own rich juices, ensuring moisture and preventing the skin from becoming too dark. If necessary, loosely tent with foil.
- Verify doneness by confirming the internal temperature reaches 165°F, signaling a perfectly cooked holiday centerpiece.
- Allow the turkey to rest for 10 minutes, enabling the juices to redistribute and ensuring each slice remains tender and flavorful.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and present a stunning, festive dish that promises to delight holiday guests.
Notes
- Select bone-in turkey breast with skin for maximum moisture and flavor retention during roasting.
- Toast nuts beforehand to enhance their nutty aroma and prevent sogginess in the stuffing.
- Use day-old bread for stuffing to absorb liquids better and create a more cohesive texture.
- Keep stuffing ingredients finely chopped to ensure even distribution and consistent flavor in each bite.
- Avoid overstuffing to prevent uneven cooking and potential food safety risks.
- Check internal temperature with a reliable meat thermometer for precise doneness.
- Allow turkey to rest after cooking to redistribute juices and maintain tenderness.
- Consider gluten-free bread alternatives for those with dietary restrictions.
- Add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to elevate the stuffing’s aromatic profile.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Katherine Pierce
Recipe Curator & Food Educator
Expertise
Education
Boston University Metropolitan College
Certificate Program in the Culinary Arts
Focus: French and international cuisine techniques, Hands-on culinary training with industry professionals, Food industry insights and operations
Katherine grew up believing every dish has a story. She studied the art of food at Boston University and explored the history behind it. She loves pulling easy recipes from every corner of the world and putting them at your fingertips.
When Katherine’s not writing or testing new flavors, she’s teaching cooking classes, baking colorful mooncakes, or dreaming up new ways to mix old favorites with new twists.