Perfectly Juicy Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast: The Ultimate Easy Holiday & Weeknight Dinner

Prepare to elevate your dinner table with a show-stopping yet incredibly simple dish: the Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast. This recipe transforms a humble boneless turkey breast into an irresistibly tender, succulent, and intensely flavorful entrée that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re planning a grand Thanksgiving feast, a festive Christmas dinner, or simply looking for an impressive weeknight meal, this dish promises to delight. We begin with a tender boneless turkey breast, generously slather it in a fragrant garlic-and-herb butter sauce, then meticulously wrap it with strips of savory bacon. Baked to golden perfection, the result is a juicy, flavorful turkey that’s naturally low carb and keto-friendly, with easy modifications to make it dairy-free or paleo.

Why This Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast Recipe Shines

• The secret to this recipe’s unparalleled juiciness and incredible flavor lies in the luscious garlic-herb butter sauce. Sandwiched directly between the turkey and the bacon, this aromatic blend slowly infuses moisture and savory notes into every fiber of the turkey as it bakes. The butter acts as a protective layer, preventing the turkey from drying out, while the herbs and garlic impart a gourmet taste. For an alternative flavor profile or if you prefer a different preparation method, you can submerge the turkey breast overnight in an easy turkey brine and then simply skip the butter sauce in this recipe.
• One of the many beauties of bacon wrapped turkey breast is its incredible versatility when it comes to side dishes. Its rich and savory profile pairs beautifully with a wide array of culinary accompaniments, making it adaptable to any menu or dietary preference. Imagine it alongside comforting Southern Smothered Potatoes, vibrant Italian Green Beans, a sweet and creamy Sweet Potato Pudding, or a hearty Broccoli Cornbread. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing you to customize your meal to suit any taste or occasion.
• While undeniably elegant and impressive, don’t feel compelled to reserve this magnificent main course exclusively for holiday dinners. This bacon wrapped turkey breast is so straightforward and easy to prepare that it’s perfectly suited for a regular weeknight meal. Its simplicity means you can enjoy a gourmet-quality dish without the fuss and stress typically associated with special-occasion recipes. Make any evening feel a little more special with minimal effort!

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Turkey

Crafting this delicious bacon wrapped turkey breast requires just a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and some tips for selecting and preparing them:

Boneless Turkey Breast – The star of our dish! You can use either fresh or frozen boneless turkey breast for this recipe. If opting for frozen, ensure it is completely thawed before you begin preparation to ensure even cooking. A general guideline is to allow approximately 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. For this recipe, we recommend a 3-pound boneless turkey breast. If your turkey breast is larger than 3 pounds, you will likely need to adjust both the cooking time (increasing it accordingly) and the quantity of bacon used to ensure adequate coverage and doneness. It’s important to note that some turkey breasts come encased in a netting; if yours does, remember to carefully remove this netting before you proceed with the recipe for optimal results.

Bacon – The savory wrapper that adds flavor, fat, and a delightful crispiness to your turkey. Almost any type of bacon will work beautifully here, including turkey bacon for a leaner option. For an extra touch of culinary artistry and a more elegant presentation, consider basket-weaving the bacon strips together around the turkey. This technique not only looks stunning but also helps the bacon cook more evenly and stay in place, creating a uniform, crispy crust. Thick-cut bacon will provide a more substantial, meaty texture, while thinner slices will crisp up faster and render more fat.

Garlic and Fresh Herbs – The aromatic foundation of our butter sauce. You’ll need fresh thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, and minced garlic. Using fresh herbs is highly recommended as they provide a vibrant, intense flavor that dried herbs simply can’t replicate. The combination of these herbs with garlic creates a classic poultry seasoning profile that complements the turkey and bacon perfectly. If fresh herbs are unavailable, you can substitute dried herbs, but use about one-third of the amount specified for fresh, as dried herbs are more concentrated.

Salted Butter – The carrier for our herbs and garlic, and a crucial element for both flavor and moisture. Melted butter ensures easy application, coating the turkey evenly before the bacon is wrapped. If you need to make this recipe dairy-free, simply use a high-quality dairy-free butter substitute. For a paleo version, ghee is an excellent choice, offering a rich, buttery flavor without the dairy solids.

Expert Chef’s Tips for Success

Follow these expert tips to ensure your bacon wrapped turkey breast turns out perfectly every time:

• This incredible dish is a fantastic alternative or a supplementary option to a whole roasted turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, especially if you’re feeding a large group or simply want to offer variety. A boneless turkey breast cooks faster and is easier to carve, making it a less intimidating centerpiece. If you’re pondering how much turkey you’ll need to satisfy all your guests, consult the handy formula in this post for easy calculation: How Much Turkey Per Person? This ensures everyone gets a generous, delicious slice.
• When wrapping the bacon, you might find that the strips have a mind of their own and don’t want to stay put, especially as you move the turkey. If you encounter difficulty tucking the bacon strips securely under the turkey breast to hold them in place, don’t hesitate to use wooden toothpicks to pin them down! This simple trick keeps everything neat and tidy during baking. Just be sure to remove all toothpicks before slicing and serving. The cooked bacon will hold its shape beautifully once it’s crispy.
• Do not skip the wire rack! It is absolutely paramount for achieving perfectly crispy bacon and evenly cooked turkey. The wire rack elevates the turkey breast above the baking sheet, allowing proper air circulation all around the meat. This crucial elevation enables the excess grease rendered from the bacon to drip off and away from the turkey. Without a rack, the turkey and bacon would simply sit in the rendered fat, resulting in soggy bacon and potentially unevenly cooked turkey. A crispy exterior makes all the difference!
• Rest Your Turkey: Just like any roasted meat, allowing the turkey breast to rest after removing it from the oven is critical. Loosely tent it with foil and let it sit for at least 10-15 minutes before carving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is as moist and flavorful as possible. Cutting it too soon will cause the juices to run out, leading to a drier result.
• Achieve Crispier Bacon: If you desire extra crispy bacon, you have a couple of options. During the last 15-20 minutes of baking, you can increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) or switch to the broiler for a few minutes. Keep a very close eye on it if using the broiler, as bacon can go from perfectly crispy to burnt very quickly. Alternatively, you can baste the bacon with its own rendered fat periodically during baking to encourage browning and crispiness.
• Check Internal Temperature: The most accurate way to ensure your turkey is fully cooked and safe to eat is by using an internal meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast, avoiding any bones or bacon strips. The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about making bacon-wrapped turkey breast:

Q: Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can! To save time, you can mix the garlic-herb butter sauce and apply it to the turkey, then wrap the turkey with bacon. Cover the prepped turkey breast tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This even allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Q: What if I don’t have fresh herbs?

A: While fresh herbs offer the best flavor, you can substitute dried herbs if necessary. As a general rule, use about one-third the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh. For example, if the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of fresh thyme, use about 2 teaspoons of dried thyme.

Q: How do I store leftovers?

A: Store any leftover bacon wrapped turkey breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s excellent sliced cold for sandwiches or reheated gently. To reheat, you can slice the turkey and warm it in a skillet with a splash of broth to maintain moisture, or reheat in the oven at a low temperature (around 275°F/135°C) until warmed through.

Q: Can I use a bone-in turkey breast?

A: This recipe is specifically designed for a boneless turkey breast, which cooks more evenly and quickly. If you use a bone-in breast, you will need to significantly increase the cooking time and monitor the internal temperature carefully, as bones conduct heat differently and can affect overall cooking time. It might also be more challenging to wrap evenly with bacon.

Q: How can I ensure the turkey stays moist?

A: The garlic-herb butter sauce and the bacon wrapper are key to moisture. Additionally, avoid overcooking the turkey by using a meat thermometer and removing it promptly when it reaches 165°F (74°C). Allowing it to rest before carving also helps retain juices.

Other Delicious Turkey Recipes to Make Your Mouth Water

• Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
• Instant Pot Turkey Stock
• Smoked Turkey and White Bean Soup
• Turkey Stuffed Peppers
• How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven
• Garlic and Herb Sous Vide Turkey
• Baked Turkey Wings