Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast Recipe
This Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast recipe features a flavorful blend of cream cheese, spinach, bacon, and fresh herbs rolled inside tender, boneless turkey breast. Seasoned with a smoky paprika rub and finished with herb butter, this elegant yet easy-to-make dish is perfect for festive holiday meals or special family dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey
- 3 lb turkey breast (boneless, skinless)
Filling
- 1/3 cup chopped spinach
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp minced garlic (freshly minced)
- 1 tsp chopped thyme
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 1 tsp chopped rosemary
- 1/3 cup bacon pieces (crispy cooked and chopped)
Seasoning Rub
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Herb Butter
- 2 tbsp melted butter (unsalted, Kerrygold recommended)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, or thyme)
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 cream cheese, chopped spinach, minced garlic, crispy bacon pieces, salt, black pepper, chopped rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Mix thoroughly until well blended. Spread this mixture evenly over the flattened turkey breast, leaving about a 1/2 inch border around the edges to prevent filling leakage during rolling.
- Roll and Secure the Turkey: Carefully but tightly roll the turkey breast from one long side to the other to form a compact roll. Secure the roll firmly with toothpicks or tie it with baker’s twine to maintain shape. Place the prepared turkey roll into the greased baking dish.
- Season and Bake the Turkey: In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt to create a seasoning rub. Generously rub this mixture all over the rolled turkey breast. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-25 minutes, depending on the size of the turkey breast, until the meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 160°F.
- Broil for Browning: Switch your oven setting to broil and cook the turkey roll for an additional 5 minutes or until the exterior is nicely browned. Check to ensure the internal temperature remains around 160°F, as it will rise to 165°F during resting.
- Rest, Slice, and Serve: Remove the turkey from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Meanwhile, combine melted butter with fresh chopped herbs and brush this herb butter over the turkey roll. Slice into rounds, serve immediately, and enjoy your festive stuffed turkey breast!
Notes
- Make sure the turkey is pounded evenly to ensure uniform cooking and easy rolling.
- Letting the turkey rest after baking is crucial to retain juiciness.
- Adjust the seasoning rub quantities if preparing multiple turkey breasts.
- Use a meat thermometer for accurate cooking and food safety.
- Herb butter can be varied with your favorite fresh herbs for personalized flavor.
Keywords: stuffed turkey breast, Christmas turkey recipe, holiday main course, baked stuffed turkey, festive turkey roll