Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast

Here is my go-to stuffed turkey breast recipe that’s perfect for Christmas dinner, with a moist, herb-seasoned filling and tender meat that stays juicy thanks to a simple butter rub under the skin.

This stuffed turkey breast has become our family’s Christmas tradition, especially when we’re hosting a smaller gathering. I often make an extra one since everyone loves taking home leftovers – and let’s be honest, turkey sandwiches the next day are almost better than the main event!

SAVE NOW

What Type of Turkey Breast Works Best?

For this stuffed recipe, you can use either a whole turkey breast (with the bone removed) or turkey tenderloins – both options will give you great results.

If you’re using a whole turkey breast, ask your butcher to butterfly it for you, or you can do it yourself at home by carefully cutting horizontally through the middle, opening it up like a book.

Turkey tenderloins are a good choice if you’re newer to cooking turkey since they’re already the right size and thickness for stuffing.

Just make sure your turkey is completely thawed if you’re starting with frozen, and pat it dry with paper towels before seasoning to help get a nice golden crust when cooking.

SAVE NOW

Options for Substitutions

This stuffed turkey recipe can be adapted with several easy swaps if you need them:

• Turkey breast: If turkey breast isn’t available, chicken breast works great too – just adjust cooking time down by about 15-20 minutes since chicken cooks faster.
• Cream cheese: You can swap cream cheese with mascarpone or ricotta cheese. If using ricotta, drain it well first and add 1 tablespoon of butter to match the richness.
• Fresh spinach: Out of fresh spinach? Use frozen spinach that’s been thawed and well-drained, or try other greens like chopped kale or Swiss chard.
• Bacon pieces: Substitute bacon with prosciutto, pancetta, or even sun-dried tomatoes for a different but equally tasty filling.
• Fresh herbs: If you can’t find fresh herbs, use dried ones instead – just remember to use 1/3 of the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated (1 teaspoon fresh = 1/3 teaspoon dried).
• Smoked paprika: Regular paprika works fine here, or try chipotle powder for a different smoky kick – just use half the amount as it’s spicier.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when cooking stuffed turkey breast is maintaining the right temperature – using a meat thermometer is crucial, as the internal temperature should reach 165°F to ensure both the meat and filling are safely cooked.

A common mistake is not butterflying the turkey breast evenly, which can lead to uneven cooking and difficulty in rolling – take your time to create a uniform thickness of about 1/2 inch throughout.

To prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking, avoid overstuffing the breast and make sure to secure it tightly with kitchen twine at 1-inch intervals.

For the juiciest results, let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking before slicing, and if you notice the top browning too quickly during cooking, simply cover it loosely with foil to prevent burning while the inside continues to cook.

What to Serve With Stuffed Turkey Breast?

This herb-filled stuffed turkey breast calls for some classic holiday-style sides that’ll make your meal feel complete! Creamy mashed potatoes are a natural choice – they’re perfect for soaking up any delicious drippings from the turkey.

I love to round out the plate with some roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, or green beans, which can cook in the oven alongside the turkey.

For an extra touch of comfort, add some homemade gravy and cranberry sauce to bring all those wonderful flavors together.

If you’re serving this for a smaller holiday gathering, don’t forget the dinner rolls for soaking up every last bit of sauce!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Your stuffed turkey breast will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. Make sure it’s completely cooled before storing to keep all those tasty herbs and filling nice and fresh. It’s perfect for planning holiday meals or enjoying leftovers throughout the week!

Freeze: This dish freezes really well for up to 3 months. Wrap the cooled turkey breast tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer bag. Just remember to squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It’s super handy for busy weeknights or when you want to prep holiday meals ahead.

Reheat: To warm up your turkey breast, cover it with foil and heat in a 325°F oven for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. You can also slice it before reheating for quicker warming. Add a splash of chicken broth or butter to keep it moist. For frozen turkey, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

 

How to Know When the Stuffed Turkey Breast is Done

The most reliable way to check if your stuffed turkey breast is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer – insert it into the thickest part of the meat (not the stuffing) and look for a reading of 165°F (74°C).

The meat should be white throughout with no pink areas, and the juices should run clear when you pierce it. If you notice the top browning too quickly while cooking, you can loosely cover it with foil to prevent burning while the inside finishes cooking.

After removing it from the oven, let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to keep all those tasty juices inside.

SAVE NOW

Stuffed Turkey Breast FAQ

How do I prevent the filling from leaking out while cooking?

The key is to roll the turkey breast tightly and secure it well with kitchen twine. I tie the roll at 1-inch intervals, making sure to start and end as close to the edges as possible. Also, don’t overfill the turkey breast – leave about a 1/2 inch border when spreading the filling to give yourself room to roll it up properly.

Why do we need both fresh and dried herbs in this recipe?

Fresh herbs go inside the filling where they can infuse their flavors directly into the cream cheese mixture, while the dried herbs work better for the outer seasoning. I’ve found that fresh herbs in the filling provide a bright, fresh taste, while the dried herbs on the outside can withstand the high cooking temperature better without burning.

Do I need to pound the turkey breast before stuffing?

Yes, pounding the turkey breast to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch is important. This step helps the turkey cook evenly and makes it much easier to roll. I place the turkey between two pieces of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound it to an even thickness.

Preparation Time	20-30 minutes
Cooking Time	20-35 minutes
Total Time	40-65 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Ingredients

• 2.75-3 pounds turkey breast or tenderloins
• 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
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 tablespoon fresh herbs, chopped (additional parsley, rosemary, and thyme used)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Step 1: 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.

This will help it cook evenly and make it easier to roll.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, spinach, garlic, bacon, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and parsley.

Mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

Spread this mixture over the flattened turkey breast, leaving about 1/2 inch around the edge uncovered to prevent the filling from spilling out when you roll it.

Step 3: Roll and Secure the Turkey

Gently but firmly roll the turkey breast from one long side to the other, forming a tight roll.

Secure the roll with toothpicks to keep it in place, or use baker’s twine to tie it securely.

Place the rolled turkey into the prepared baking dish.

Step 4: Season and Bake the Turkey

Stir together your desired spices, then rub the mixture all over the rolled turkey bundles.

Place the turkey in the oven and bake for 15-25 minutes.

Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the turkey breast.

The internal temperature should read about 160°F when a meat thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the turkey.

Step 5: Broil for Browning

Switch your oven to the broil setting and cook the turkey for another 5 minutes or so until it is browned on the outside.

Ensure the internal temperature still reads around 160°F, as it will continue to rise slightly to reach the safe temperature of 165°F while resting.

Step 6: Rest, Slice, and Serve

Transfer the cooked turkey breast to a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

This helps retain the juices and flavors.

Stir together melted butter and fresh herbs, then brush this mixture over the top of the turkey roll.

Slice, serve immediately, and enjoy!