Description
Spicy Cajun-style turkey breast marries zesty Creole seasonings with tender, juicy meat for a bold Southern culinary experience. Succulent flavors and easy preparation make this recipe a quick weeknight dinner champion you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs (1.36 kg) boneless turkey breast
- ½ stick (4 tbsps or 56 g) unsalted butter
- 1.5 tsps Cajun or Creole seasoning
- 2 tsps paprika
- 2 tsps cumin
- 2 tsps garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1 tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheating: Configure the oven to 450°F and generously grease a baking dish to prevent adherence.
- Turkey Preparation: Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels, creating an ideal surface for seasoning absorption.
- Flavor Composition: Blend softened butter with garlic, salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cumin into a harmonious, aromatic mixture.
- Seasoning Application: Gently separate the skin from the meat, strategically distributing half the seasoned butter beneath the skin and massaging the remaining portion across the exterior surface.
- Initial Roasting: Position the seasoned turkey in the prepared dish and roast uncovered at 450°F for 15-20 minutes to develop a crisp, golden exterior.
- Continued Cooking: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F, continuing roasting for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, intermittently basting with pan juices to maintain moisture and intensify flavor profile.
- Temperature Verification: Utilize a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 160°F, ensuring complete culinary safety.
- Resting Phase: Remove from oven, loosely tent with foil, and allow the turkey to rest 5-10 minutes, enabling juice redistribution and reaching the final safe temperature of 165°F.
- Presentation: Adorn with fresh rosemary or thyme, slice elegantly, and serve the perfectly executed Cajun-style turkey breast.
Notes
- Preheat Precisely: High initial temperature of 450°F creates a crispy, golden exterior while sealing in delicious juices.
- Pat Dry Perfectly: Thoroughly removing moisture ensures seasonings stick and promotes even browning of the turkey skin.
- Butter Blend Brilliance: Mixing softened butter with Cajun and aromatic spices creates a flavor-packed seasoning that penetrates deep into the meat.
- Rest and Redistribute: Allowing the turkey to rest after cooking helps redistribute internal juices, guaranteeing a moist and tender final result.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 284
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg