Juicy Stuffed Turkey Breast with Cranberry Stuffing & Homemade Gravy: The Perfect Small Thanksgiving Dinner

For many, Thanksgiving dinner evokes images of a grand feast, complete with a massive roasted turkey taking center stage. But what if you’re celebrating with a smaller party – perhaps just two, or a cozy group of four? Roasting an entire turkey often results in far too much food, leading to an overwhelming amount of leftovers or, worse, wasted efforts. This is where our recipe for a succulent, juicy roasted Stuffed Turkey Breast comes in. Paired with a rich, homemade turkey pan gravy and a vibrant cranberry stuffing, it offers all the traditional flavors and festive spirit of a classic Thanksgiving meal, perfectly scaled for an intimate gathering. It’s not just for Thanksgiving; this elegant dish is also ideal for special Sunday suppers, bringing a touch of gourmet comfort to your table without the fuss of a whole bird.

When planning your Thanksgiving dinner for two, do you lean towards cherished family traditions or are you eager to explore new culinary horizons? For many, holiday meals are a sacred ritual, featuring the same beloved recipes year after year. Here, we are staunch traditionalists, especially when it comes to Thanksgiving. Our holiday menu is almost a guaranteed repeat: creamy garlic mashed potatoes for two, a rich homemade gravy (even without meat drippings, if necessary), a comforting green bean casserole without mushroom soup, Mom’s classic stuffing, and Dad’s perfect small pumpkin pie.

The one element that occasionally varies in our household is the main course. With just four of us, and differing dietary preferences – one who isn’t a fan of turkey and another who eats very little meat – we often opt for two deliciously stuffed Cornish hens. While Cornish hens are a fantastic option, we understand that for many, Thanksgiving simply isn’t complete without the quintessential turkey dinner, complete with savory stuffing. Turkey is, after all, synonymous with this joyous autumn celebration.

The universal challenge for smaller groups, however, is the sheer size of most turkeys. Finding a truly “small” turkey for Thanksgiving can feel like an impossible quest. The smallest options often start at 10 pounds, which is still far too much for two or even four people, leading to unnecessary waste. This dilemma leaves many wondering: how can you possibly enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving turkey experience without roasting a colossal bird?

Our solution is elegantly simple and incredibly satisfying: prepare a tender, juicy Stuffed Turkey Breast. This method allows you to enjoy all the classic flavors without the commitment of an entire bird. We fill our turkey breasts with a delectable cranberry stuffing, then smother them with a homemade turkey gravy made from the pan drippings. It’s a complete, traditional turkey dinner, perfectly portioned and packed with flavor.

What makes our Stuffed Turkey Breast recipe particularly appealing is its straightforward approach. Unlike many recipes that require you to meticulously pound and roll the turkey breast, often leading to uneven cooking or difficulty keeping the stuffing intact, our method simplifies the entire process. You simply cut a deep pocket into the side of each turkey breast and generously fill it with your chosen stuffing – in this case, our delightful cranberry concoction. This technique is similar to how we prepare our stuffed chicken breast with rice, ensuring a perfectly cooked, flavorful center without any unnecessary fuss.

The inherent thickness of bone-in turkey breasts is a distinct advantage here, providing ample space for stuffing without compromising the integrity of the meat. Furthermore, we emphasize keeping the skin on for a crucial reason: crispy, golden-brown turkey skin is, for many, the absolute best part of any roasted bird. It adds an irresistible texture and depth of flavor that a skinless breast simply cannot achieve, making your small Thanksgiving dinner truly special.

Key Ingredients for the Best Stuffed Turkey Breast

Crafting this exquisite stuffed turkey breast requires a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect juicy texture and rich, aromatic flavor profile:

• Stuffing: The heart of this dish! While we highly recommend our linked Cranberry Stuffing recipe for its perfect balance of sweet and savory notes, feel free to use your own cherished family stuffing recipe. Just ensure it’s prepared and ready to be used as a delicious filling.
• Unsalted Butter: This is essential for creating a luscious, golden-brown crust and infusing the turkey with moisture and flavor. Using unsalted butter gives you precise control over the overall sodium content of your dish.
• Fresh Garlic: A foundational aromatic, minced garlic is incorporated into the butter rub, contributing a pungent and warming depth of flavor that complements the turkey beautifully.
• Fresh Herbs: Elevate the turkey’s natural taste with a medley of fresh herbs. Thyme, rosemary, and sage are classic choices for poultry, either used individually or in a harmonious combination, bringing a fragrant, earthy essence to every bite.
• Kosher Salt: Proper seasoning is paramount to ensure that both the turkey meat and the buttery herb rub are vibrant and never bland. If you opt for salted butter, remember to adjust the amount of added salt accordingly to prevent over-seasoning.
• Bone-in, Skin-on Turkey Breasts: This specific cut is crucial for achieving that coveted crispy skin. While it requires a bit of preparation to debone yourself (instructions provided further down), the effort is well worth it for the superior flavor and texture it provides. The bone also helps to insulate the meat, promoting more even cooking and moisture retention.

Finding Bone-In, Skin-On Turkey Breast: A Guide

My initial journey into making stuffed turkey breast began with an unexpected quest: finding the perfect cut of meat. Before this recipe, I had never specifically sought out bone-in, skin-on turkey breast. While I’d purchased turkey tenderloins, legs, Cornish hens, and various chicken cuts, this particular item proved to be a unique challenge.

I share this experience because it highlights a few important nuances for aspiring home cooks. Firstly, it’s crucial to understand that “boneless skin-on turkey breast” is generally not a common cut you’ll find readily available. Turkey breasts are typically sold either bone-in with the skin intact, or completely boneless and skinless. Since our recipe absolutely hinges on achieving that irresistibly crispy, golden turkey skin, the bone-in, skin-on variety is essential, meaning you will need to debone the breast yourself to prepare it for stuffing.

Secondly, a significant revelation was the scarcity of truly small turkey breasts. It seems the market largely caters to larger demands. My search led me through three different stores before I finally located suitable breasts. One butcher explained that most turkey breasts typically exceed 3 pounds due to high consumer demand, especially around holidays. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have eventually stumbled upon two breasts weighing approximately 2.5 and 2.97 pounds at a different supermarket.

Given these purchasing factors, it’s important to note that your experience with this recipe might vary. The size of the turkey breasts you find will directly influence several aspects: you might end up with extra stuffing, or you might use every last bit. Similarly, larger breasts will naturally require a longer cooking time to reach the desired internal temperature. Don’t be discouraged if you struggle to find the exact size; adjust accordingly!

Should the search for bone-in turkey breast become too frustrating, an excellent and equally delicious alternative is to prepare my turkey tenderloin recipe. Turkey tenderloin is far easier to source and still provides a wonderful, lean turkey option for a smaller meal.

Determining Stuffed Turkey Breast Serving Sizes

When considering portions, it’s helpful to visualize the size of a turkey breast half. Typically, one half of a turkey breast is considerably larger than a standard chicken breast, often by as much as three times the size. This generous portion means you have flexibility in how you serve it, depending on your appetite and the array of side dishes accompanying your meal.

For a hearty plate, especially if it’s the star of your meal with fewer sides, you can comfortably serve one entire stuffed turkey breast per person. However, if you’re offering a more extensive selection of Thanksgiving sides or catering to lighter eaters, you can easily cut each prepared turkey breast in half, effectively stretching one breast into two servings, thereby providing enough for four people in total. This versatility makes it ideal for managing portions for smaller gatherings without compromising on the festive feel.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Deboning a Turkey Breast

The idea of deboning a turkey breast might sound intimidating, but it’s surprisingly straightforward. The design of a turkey breast makes it simpler than other cuts, as the main bone structure is primarily concentrated along one side. With a little care and the right tools, you’ll master it in no time.

You’ll need a sharp boning knife, which is ideal for working around bones, or a well-honed chef’s knife that is sufficiently long to make clean cuts. Begin by placing the turkey breast skin-side down on a stable cutting surface. Carefully make a long cut down the center of the breast, following the line of the breastbone, until your knife reaches the bone. From there, angle your knife and work along the bone, detaching the meat as cleanly as possible. Repeat on the other side of the breastbone until the bone is completely free.

For a visual guide, we recommend watching this helpful video on how to debone a turkey breast. Seeing the technique in action can make the process even clearer.

Alternatively, if you prefer to save time or feel less confident in your butchery skills, don’t hesitate to ask your local butcher. Most butchers are happy to debone the turkey breast for you when you purchase it, ensuring you get exactly what you need without the extra effort.

Once your turkey breast is perfectly deboned, it’s ready for the next exciting step: creating that generous pocket and filling it with our savory cranberry stuffing!

Mastering the Art of Roasting Stuffed Turkey Breast

Roasting a perfectly golden and juicy stuffed turkey breast for your Thanksgiving celebration is a rewarding experience. Before you begin, gather your essential equipment: a sturdy roasting pan fitted with a rack. Line the roasting pan with aluminum foil for easier cleanup, then lightly grease both the rack and the foil with cooking spray. This preparation ensures nothing sticks and helps with heat distribution.

The use of a roasting rack is not just for convenience; it’s crucial for the optimal cooking of the turkey breast. The rack elevates the meat, allowing hot air to circulate evenly around all sides, promoting consistent cooking and an exquisitely crispy skin. More importantly, it allows the savory turkey juices to drip down into the foil-lined pan below. These precious drippings are the foundation for a truly exceptional, homemade turkey gravy – a non-negotiable component of any festive turkey meal!

If you don’t own a designated roasting pan with a rack, don’t worry! You can easily create an effective alternative by placing a standard wire baking rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet. This improvisation works just as well to achieve the desired elevation and juice collection.

With your equipment ready, it’s time to embark on cooking your delightful “small Thanksgiving turkey”:

1. Prepare the Herb Butter Rub: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, fresh chopped herbs (thyme, rosemary, and/or sage), and kosher salt. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth, well-combined, and easily spreadable. This aromatic rub will be the key to a flavorful, golden crust. Evenly apply this fragrant butter mixture over both turkey breasts, ensuring to lift the skin slightly to spread some underneath as well.
2. Stuff and Secure the Breasts: With a sharp knife, carefully cut a generous pocket into the thickest side of each turkey breast. Ensure the pocket is deep and wide enough to hold a substantial amount of stuffing without cutting all the way through to the other side. Gently spoon your prepared cranberry stuffing into these pockets, filling them generously but not over-packing them, which could lead to uneven cooking. To secure the stuffing and prevent it from escaping during roasting, use a few sturdy toothpicks to close the pocket opening. Once stuffed and secured, transfer the breasts to your prepared roasting rack.
3. Roast to Perfection: Place the roasting pan in your preheated oven at 325°F (160°C). Bake for approximately 60 to 90 minutes. The exact cooking time will vary based on the size and thickness of your turkey breasts. The most reliable way to determine doneness is by using a meat thermometer: the internal temperature, measured in the thickest part of the breast (avoiding the stuffing), should reach 160°F (71°C). The juices should run clear. Once this temperature is achieved, carefully tent the turkey breasts with foil and allow them to rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. This resting period is crucial; it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a supremely moist and tender result. During resting, the internal temperature will typically rise to the food-safe 165°F (74°C).
4. Craft the Gravy: While your beautifully roasted turkey rests, seize the opportunity to create a phenomenal homemade gravy. Carefully pour the rich pan drippings from the roasting pan into a saucepan. Follow our dedicated turkey gravy recipe to transform these flavorful drippings into a smooth, savory gravy that will perfectly complement your stuffed turkey breast.

Any leftover stuffed turkey breast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, perfect for delicious next-day sandwiches or quick meals.

How to Make Stuffed Turkey Breast Ahead of Time: Smart Prep for Stress-Free Holidays

While the process of stuffing a turkey breast isn’t overly complicated, holiday preparations can often feel rushed. Happily, many elements of this dish can be prepared in advance, allowing you to enjoy a more relaxed cooking experience on the big day. Here are some effective strategies for making your stuffed turkey breast ahead of time:

• Prepare the Stuffing the Day Before: Our cranberry stuffing can be fully mixed and moistened a day in advance. Simply cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, and you’ll save valuable time on cooking day.
• Make the Herb Butter in Advance: The aromatic herb butter rub can also be prepared a day or two ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. On the day of cooking, simply take it out and let it soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes until it’s perfectly spreadable.
• Debone Your Turkey Breast: If you’re tackling the deboning yourself, this step can be done up to two days before you plan to cook. Once deboned, pat the turkey breast dry, cover it loosely, and store it in the coldest part of your refrigerator. This helps streamline the assembly process on cooking day.

By taking these simple make-ahead steps, you can significantly reduce your Thanksgiving day workload, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable culinary celebration.

What To Serve With Stuffed Turkey Breast: Perfect Side Dishes for Small Gatherings

With your succulent stuffed turkey breast as the star of the show, the next question is naturally about the supporting cast: the side dishes! Many traditional Thanksgiving side dish recipes are designed to feed a large crowd, making them impractical and wasteful for intimate dinners. Fortunately, this blog specializes in recipes perfectly scaled for two, ensuring you can create a complete and delicious meal without an abundance of leftovers. Explore these small-batch side dishes that pair beautifully with our turkey breast:

• Stovetop Scalloped Potatoes: These creamy, cheesy potatoes cook quickly on the stovetop, freeing up precious oven space and allowing you to prepare them while your turkey finishes roasting.
• Au Gratin Potatoes For Two: If oven-baked potatoes are a must, these individual au gratin portions can be cooked simultaneously with the turkey, making efficient use of your oven.
• Sweet Potato Casserole For Two: A beloved classic featuring velvety mashed sweet potatoes topped with toasted marshmallows, scaled down for a perfect two-person treat.
• Green Beans with Almonds: A healthy, vibrant, and timeless side dish that adds a delightful crunch and fresh flavor to your plate.
• Small Batch Cranberry Sauce: This recipe yields just one small jar, providing 2-4 servings of bright, tangy homemade cranberry sauce. Any delightful leftovers are fantastic spread on cranberry baked Brie!

Stuffed Turkey Breast

Yield:
2-4 servings

Prep Time:
1 hour

Cook Time:
1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time:
2 hours 30 minutes

Enjoy a traditional turkey dinner for two with this juicy roasted Stuffed Turkey Breast, complete with homemade pan gravy and flavorful cranberry stuffing – perfect for Thanksgiving or any special Sunday supper.

Ingredients

• 1 recipe Cranberry Stuffing, made but not baked yet
• 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature*
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herb such as thyme, rosemary, and/or sage
• 1 teaspoon salt, preferably kosher*
• 2 (3-pound) bone-in skin-on turkey breasts, deboned with skin left on
• 1 recipe Turkey Gravy

Instructions

1. If you haven’t already, prepare our Cranberry Stuffing following the recipe instructions (click here to get ingredients and directions). Do not bake the stuffing yet.
2. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a robust roasting pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, then place a roasting rack inside. Lightly grease both the rack and the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, minced garlic, fresh chopped herbs, and kosher salt. Beat or mix these ingredients together until you achieve a smooth, uniform, and easily spreadable rub.
4. Evenly apply the prepared herb butter rub over both turkey breasts. Ensure you lift the skin gently to spread some of the butter underneath the skin as well, for maximum flavor and moisture. If your butter is too firm to spread, microwave it briefly (5-8 seconds) to soften, but avoid fully melting it.
5. With a sharp knife, carefully cut a deep pocket into the thickest side of each turkey breast. The pocket should be large and deep enough to hold a good amount of stuffing without cutting all the way through the breast. Generously fill these pockets with your prepared cranberry stuffing. To keep the stuffing securely inside during roasting, use a few sturdy toothpicks to close the pocket opening.

   If you have any leftover stuffing, do not place it directly in the bottom of the roasting pan as it will absorb the drippings needed for gravy. Instead, transfer it to a separate heatproof pan and bake it alongside the turkey.

6. Carefully place both seasoned and stuffed turkey breasts onto the prepared roasting rack in the pan. Bake for 60-90 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast (avoiding the stuffing) reads 160°F (71°C) and the juices run clear. Once cooked, gently tent the turkey breasts with aluminum foil to keep them warm and allow them to rest for 10-15 minutes. This crucial resting period ensures the juices redistribute, resulting in a perfectly moist and tender turkey. During this time, the internal temperature will typically rise to the food-safe 165°F (74°C).
7. While the turkey breasts are resting, gather the flavorful drippings left behind in the roasting pan. Use these precious drippings to make our delicious homemade turkey gravy, following our specific recipe instructions (click here to get ingredients and directions).

Notes

• *If you opt to use salted butter, you will need to reduce the amount of added salt. Since salt content varies significantly between brands, it’s difficult to provide an exact measurement, which is why we generally recommend unsalted butter for better control over seasoning.
• Struggling to find bone-in turkey breast? Don’t despair! Our Turkey Tenderloin recipe offers a delicious and much easier-to-find alternative for a small turkey meal.
• Planning your full holiday menu? Be sure to explore our curated collections for Thanksgiving Dinner For Two and Christmas Dinner For Two for more complementary recipe pairings and inspiration.

Recommended Products

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• Roasting Pan
• Digital Thermometer

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First published November 10, 2014