Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast Recipe
This Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast recipe offers a flavorful and festive main course perfect for holiday celebrations. The tender turkey breast is pounded thin, filled with a delicious mixture of cream cheese, spinach, garlic, bacon, and fresh herbs, then rolled and baked to juicy perfection. A final broil ensures a golden, crispy exterior. Brushed with a buttery herb glaze, this elegant dish serves 4 and makes for an impressive yet easy holiday centerpiece.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey
- 2.75–3 pounds turkey breast or tenderloins
Filling
- 4 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/3 cup bacon pieces, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme, finely chopped
Seasoning and Glaze
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, and thyme), chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Turkey: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a small sheet pan or roasting dish. Place the turkey breast in a Ziploc bag or between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound it to about 1/4-inch thickness to ensure even cooking and easier rolling.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, chopped spinach, minced garlic, chopped bacon pieces, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Mix until fully incorporated. Spread this mixture evenly over the flattened turkey breast, leaving about 1/2 inch uncovered on the edges to prevent filling from spilling out when rolling.
- Roll and Secure the Turkey: Carefully roll the turkey breast from one long side to the other, forming a tight roll. Secure the roll with toothpicks or kitchen twine to keep it intact. Place the rolled turkey breast seam side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Season and Bake the Turkey: Mix together the garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Rub this spice mixture all over the rolled turkey. Bake in the oven at 400°F for 15-25 minutes, depending on the size of the turkey, until an internal thermometer reads about 160°F.
- Broil for Browning: Switch the oven to broil mode and cook the turkey for an additional 5 minutes or until the outside is nicely browned and crisp. Verify the internal temperature remains around 160°F as it will continue to rise while resting.
- Rest, Slice, and Serve: Remove the turkey roll from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes to retain juices. Meanwhile, stir melted butter with fresh chopped herbs and brush this glaze over the turkey. Slice and serve promptly to enjoy the flavorful, moist stuffed turkey breast.
Notes
- Adjust cooking time if your turkey breast is larger or smaller to ensure proper doneness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- For extra crispiness, broil carefully and watch closely to avoid burning.
- You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- Letting the turkey rest is critical to keep it juicy when sliced.
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