This Grilled Turkey Breast turns out unbelievably juicy with crispy, smoky skin and rich flavor in every bite. It’s an easy way to serve something impressive and a little unexpected for holidays, cookouts, or family dinners.
Table of Contents
Turkey Breast on the Grill Recipe Tips
Grilling turkey breast is easier than a whole turkey for a smaller group for Thanksgiving, but a few simple tricks can make the difference between dry and juicy turkey. Here are my top tips for getting the best results every time.
- Be sure to use a fully thawed turkey breast. It will cook unevenly if it is partially or fully frozen, and can leave the center undercooked while the outside dries out.
- Pat the turkey completely dry before adding the butter rub. The butter and herbs stick better, giving the skin a better texture when the turkey breast is completely dry.
- Soften the butter; do not melt it. Softened butter will spread evenly over the turkey, helping to create a flavorful, juicy meat while keeping the herbs in place.
- Cook to temperature, not just time. Every grill cooks differently, so use the recommended cooking time as a guide, use a meat thermometer, and remove the turkey when the thickest part reaches 160°F.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost
Recipe Cost: $21.77
Per Serving: $2.72
Here are the simple ingredients you need to make this recipe, along with a few substitution recommendations.
- Turkey breast, bone-in (5-6 pounds – $16.50) – Boneless can be used; however, it may cook faster and be less juicy.
- Onion (1 medium – $0.75) – Yellow or white will work.
- Celery (3-4 stalks – $0.50) – Carrots, potatoes, or parsnips can also be added.
- Turkey or chicken broth (1 cup – $0.50) – Water with a bouillon cube works as a substitute.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup – $1.25) – Salted butter can be used instead, but you will need to reduce the added salt in the recipe.
- Fresh rosemary (2 teaspoons – $0.75) – Substitute with 1 teaspoon dried rosemary.
- Fresh sage (2 teaspoons – $0.75) – Substitute with 1 teaspoon dried sage.
- Fresh thyme (2 teaspoons – $0.75) – Substitute with 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
- Salt (1 teaspoon, $0.01) – Kosher salt is my preference for this recipe.
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon – $0.01) – White pepper can be used as an alternative.
Additional Recipe Variations
- Citrus turkey breast: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and 1 teaspoon of lime zest to the butter rub.
- Honey garlic turkey breast: Add 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the butter rub.
- Maple barbecue turkey breast: Add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and 1 teaspoon of barbecue powder to the butter rub.
The recipe cost is calculated based on the required amounts and may vary due to fluctuating grocery prices.
How To Grill A Turkey Breast
Make the rub, spread it on the turkey, add everything to the roasting pan, and grill. Let me show you how.
- Clean and wash the turkey breast, and then pat it dry with paper towels.
- Mix the ingredients for the rub.
- Rub the turkey with the butter rub and set it in the roasting pan.
- Add the onions and celery.
- Add the broth to the pan and preheat the gas grill to 375-425 degrees F.
- Place the roasting pan on the grill grates and cook for 60 to 90 minutes.
- Remove the turkey from the grill and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipe FAQs
How long does it take to grill turkey breat?
Grill the turkey breast for 60–90 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
How should I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Leftovers are perfect for this Leftover Turkey Sandwich.
Can grilled turkey breast be frozen?
Place cooked and cooled turkey in freezer-safe bags or containers. Squeeze out any air before sealing. Frozen turkey will keep for up to 3 months.
What should I serve with this turkey?
My favorites include:
● Mashed Potatoes
● Ambroisa Salad
● Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
● Stuffing
● Green Beans
TIPS:
- When reheating turkey, be sure to heat it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- You can reheat turkey in the oven, microwave, or stovetop.
- If reheating in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the turkey for 15-30 minutes or until it is heated through.
- If reheating in the microwave, microwave the turkey on high for 1-3 minutes or until heated.
- If reheating on the stovetop, place the turkey in a skillet over medium heat and cook until heated.
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Grilled Turkey Breast
Recipe Cost 21.77 Serving Cost 2.72Light, juicy, and tender are three words to describe this incredible Grilled Turkey Breast. Impress your guests and make something a little different this holiday season.
Servings: 8 people
Equipment
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl and spoon
- Aluminum roasting pans
Ingredients
TURKEY:
- 5-6 pound turkey breast bone-in, completely thawed
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3-4 stalks celery chopped
- 1 cup turkey or chicken broth
BUTTER RUB:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary chopped finely or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons fresh sage chopped finely or 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme chopped finely or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
PREP TURKEY:
- Clean and wash turkey breast, and pat dry.
MAKE BUTTER RUB:
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the rub.
RUB TURKEY:
- Coat turkey breast with the butter rub.
- Place turkey breast into doubled up disposable aluminum roasting pan and add chopped onions and celery into the pan.
- Add turkey or chicken broth to the pan.
PREP GRILL:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, 375-425°F.
GRILL TURKEY BREAST:
- Place the pan with the turkey breast on the grill grates and cook for 1- 1 ½ hours or until internal temperature reaches 160° F. Allow 12-15 minutes of cooking time per pound of turkey breast.
REST AND FINISH TURKEY:
- Remove turkey from the grill and rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
- Carve and serve.
Notes
- Use an aluminum baking pan for the turkey breast on the grill. The aluminum tray will also catch all the drippings from the turkey, which you can use as gravy when serving with mashed potatoes or stuffing.
- Check your turkey breast’s internal temperature before removing it from the grill. It should reach a minimum of 160 degrees F if it’s fully cooked and ready to serve.
- When reheating turkey, be sure to heat it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- If reheating in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the turkey for 15-30 minutes or until it is heated through.
- If reheating in the microwave, microwave the turkey on high for 1-3 minutes or until heated.
- If reheating on the stovetop, place the turkey in a skillet over medium heat and cook until heated.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5pound | Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 62g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 184mg | Sodium: 987mg | Potassium: 726mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 444IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg
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Amanda says
This Grilled Turkey Breast recipe has earned a permanent spot in my cookbook.