Keto Turkey Breast Recipes: A Comprehensive Guide

Thanksgiving and holiday dinners often revolve around a centerpiece turkey. But what if you're following a ketogenic or low-carb diet? Fear not! You can still enjoy a delicious and satisfying turkey breast while staying within your macros. This article explores various keto turkey breast recipes, offering options for different preferences and cooking methods.

Why Turkey Breast is Keto-Friendly

Turkey is naturally gluten-free and low-carb, making it an excellent choice for ketogenic diets. The focus on the breast, which is leaner than other parts of the bird, further reduces fat content while providing a good source of protein. This allows you to indulge in the holiday spirit without derailing your dietary goals.

Keto Cranberry Turkey Breast

This recipe combines tart cranberries with savory turkey breast for a festive and flavorful Thanksgiving entree. The secret to keeping the turkey moist is smothering the breasts in a low-carb cranberry sauce.

Ingredients

• Turkey breast
• Cranberries
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Water (as needed)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Simmer the cranberries until they are bursting, adding water as needed to prevent sticking.
3. Spread the cranberry mixture over the turkey breast.
4. Bake until the turkey is cooked through.

Keto Turkey Recipe with Creamy Cheese Sauce

This recipe elevates turkey breast with a rich and decadent creamy cheese sauce, perfect for a special occasion or a comforting weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• Turkey breast
• Salt
• Pepper
• Butter
• Cream cheese
• Heavy whipping cream
• Soy sauce
• Capers (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Season the turkey with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. In a large oven-proof pan, heat 1/3 of the butter over medium heat. Fry the turkey for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
4. Remove the pan from heat and place it in the middle rack of the oven. Roast for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Transfer to a serving platter and cover with a tent of foil. (NOTE: If the turkey is not done at 30 minutes or the internal temperature is not achieved, roast for another 15 minutes.)
6. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat along with the turkey drippings. Add the cream cheese and 3 cups of heavy whipping cream. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and let it simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Add the soy sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
7. In a small pan, heat the remaining butter over medium-high heat. Stir fry the capers until crispy.
8. Slice the turkey into 1/2 inch slices. Pour the creamy cheese sauce over it and top with the crispy capers.

Tips and Variations

• Add mushrooms to the sauce for extra flavor.
• Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts or mashed cauliflower for a complete keto meal.

Easy Keto Roasted Turkey with Herb Butter

This recipe focuses on simplicity and flavor, using herb butter to create a juicy and aromatic turkey breast.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Ingredients

• Turkey breast
• Butter (softened)
• Garlic
• Fresh sage
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Zest
• Spices
• Chicken broth

Instructions

1. Combine the softened butter with the garlic, fresh, finely chopped herbs, zest, and spices. Set aside.
2. Pat the turkey breast dry with a paper towel. Carefully separate the skin from the turkey and rub part of the herb butter under the skin. Rub the remaining mixture over the top of the turkey breast.
3. Place in a 6-8 quart slow cooker. Add 3/4 cup chicken broth to the slow cooker. Do not pour directly on the turkey or you will rinse off the butter mixture.
4. Cook the turkey breast on low 6 hours for a 4-5 pound turkey breast. Cook for 8 hours for a 6-8 pound turkey breast.

Roasted Turkey Breast

This recipe provides a basic framework for roasting a turkey breast, allowing for customization with your favorite herbs and spices.

Ingredients

• Turkey breast (bone-in, skin-on recommended)
• Duck fat, ghee, or grass-fed butter
• Sea salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Optional: garlic, herbs, or paprika

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place turkey breast on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan, skin side up, and rub all over with duck fat.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Place in oven and reduce heat to 375 degrees.
5. Roast until the internal temperature reaches the desired level.

Tips and Considerations

• Using a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast helps keep the meat moist.
• Duck fat adds flavor and crispness to the skin.
• Be sure to take the turkey out of the oven as soon as the meat reaches the correct temperature as overcooking it will dry out the meat.

Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

This recipe elevates a basic roast turkey breast with a fragrant herb mixture.

Ingredients

• Turkey breast
• Oil or ghee
• Assorted herbs
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°.
2. Cut 5-6 lengths of kitchen twine, about 8-10" long.
3. In a small bowl, mix the 3 tablespoons oil or ghee, herbs, garlic, salt and pepper.
4. On a cutting board, pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
5. Rub the herb mixture all over the turkey.
6. One at a time, slide a piece of twine under the turkey to the middle of the breast, then pull the ends up on each side and tie securely in a double knot. It doesn't have to squeeze the turkey tightly but it shouldn't be loose. Repeat with the remaining twine, spacing them out every 1-2" or so from the center of the breast toward the ends. Trim any long ends of twine but leave the knots undisturbed.
7. This will help make sure the turkey cooks evenly.
8. In an oven-safe skillet just large enough to fit the breast (a 10" cast iron skillet usually works well; keep in mind the breast will shrink as it cooked), heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil or ghee over medium-high heat until shimmering.
9. Add the turkey skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving it, until the skin looks crisp and brown.
10. Flip the turkey over so it's skin-side up in the skillet, then transfer the skillet to the oven (with an oven probe thermometer, if using). Let it roast for approx. 15 minutes per pound (about 30-40 minutes), or until the thermometer reaches 160°. Halfway through the cooking time, add the 2 tablespoons ghee to the skillet, let it melt and occasionally baste the turkey with the ghee and drippings in the pan.
11. Once the turkey is done, remove the skillet from the oven. If the skin isn't quite as crisp as you'd like, you can also broil the breast skin-side up for 1-3 minutes. Be sure to check frequently to make sure it doesn't burn.
12. Remove the turkey to a cutting board (preferably the kind with a moat to catch the juices) and cover loosely with foil for 15-20 minutes. Reserve the skillet.
13. Snip and remove the twine. Slice the turkey into approx. 1/4-1/2"slices. Arrange on a platter.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

• The turkey can be coated in the herb mixture, tied up with twine, and wrapped tightly with plastic wrap up to 24 hours in advance. Bring to room temperature before cooking.
• Any cooked, unsliced turkey can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Easy Keto Roasted Turkey

This recipe uses a unique upside-down roasting method to ensure a moist and flavorful turkey.

Instructions

1. Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey and rinse the bird inside and out.
2. Push the flavored butter under the skin, covering all of the meat. Do the same with the tops of the drumsticks, being careful not to pierce the skin.
3. Stuff the quartered lemons and apples into the cavity of the bird.
4. Roast the turkey upside down for an hour, then flip it and roast upright until done.
5. Test with a meat thermometer for 165 degrees at the thickest part of the thigh.
6. While the turkey is resting, pour the pan juices into a measuring cup.

Crockpot Turkey Breast

This recipe offers a convenient and foolproof method for cooking turkey breast in a slow cooker.

Ingredients

• Turkey breast (bone-in or boneless)
• Softened butter
• Garlic
• Fresh sage
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Chicken broth

Instructions

1. Combine the softened butter with the garlic, fresh, finely chopped herbs, zest and spices. Set aside.
2. Pat the turkey breast dry with a paper towel. Carefully separate the skin from the turkey and rub part of the herb butter under the skin. Rub the remaining mixture over the top of the turkey breast.
3. Place in a 6-8 quart slow cooker. Add 3/4 cup chicken broth to the slow cooker. Do not pour directly on the turkey or you will rinse off the butter mixture.
4. Cook the turkey breast on low 6 hours for a 4-5 pound turkey breast. Cook for 8 hours for a 6-8 pound turkey breast.

Tips and Considerations

• Skin on turkey breast is recommended because it encases the butter and it cooks right into the meat.
• Be sure to use a slow cooker that is right for your turkey breast. You want to make sure there is a little room on each side of the breast and that the lid doesn’t directly touch the turkey.
• If you want to crisp the skin just slide it under a broiler in the oven before serving.

Roasted Turkey Breast for Smaller Gatherings

This recipe is tailored for smaller families or those who don't want to deal with a whole turkey.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Ingredients

• Turkey Breast - We’re using a bone-in turkey breast that’s around 4-6 pounds. These are easiest to find around Thanksgiving and can usually be found frozen.
• Butter - We’re using salted butter as the base of our seasoning.
• Seasonings - We’ll season the turkey with a mix of spices, including garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, rosemary, oregano, sage, and salt and pepper.
• Veggies - We like to toss a handful of roughly chopped veggies in the bottom of the roasting pan. We use shallots, carrots, and garlic, but feel free to throw in whatever you have that might add flavor to the gravy.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place a rack in a roasting pan or grease a 9x13 baking dish.
3. Stir together the butter and seasoning until well combined.
4. Arrange the turkey breast side up and pat dry with paper towels.
5. Loosen the skin with your fingers and spread about half of the butter mixture under the skin. Smooth it out to cover as much of the turkey as possible.
6. Spread the remaining butter mixture over the outside of the turkey skin to coat.
7. Spread a handful roughly chopped shallots, carrots, and garlic in the bottom of a roasting pan and top with a roasting rack.
8. Pour just enough broth in the bottom of the pan to cover the bottom without touching the rack.
9. Place turkey breast on the rack.
10. Roast in the oven for about 15-20 minutes per pound, until the turkey reaches 160 degrees.

General Tips for Keto Turkey Breast Recipes

• Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to ensure your turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature (165°F) without overcooking it is to use a meat thermometer.
• Rest the Turkey: Allow the turkey to rest for at least 15-20 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird. Cover loosely with foil while resting.
• Don't Be Afraid of Fat: Fat is your friend on a keto diet. Don't be afraid to use butter, duck fat, or ghee to add flavor and moisture to your turkey breast.
• Season Generously: Turkey breast can be bland on its own, so be sure to season it generously with salt, pepper, herbs, and spices.

Serving Suggestions

• Keto Gravy: Use the pan drippings to make a keto-friendly gravy thickened with tapioca flour or xanthan gum.
• Low-Carb Sides: Pair your keto turkey breast with low-carb side dishes like mashed cauliflower, roasted Brussels sprouts, green bean casserole (made with keto-friendly ingredients), or a salad with a vinaigrette dressing.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

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