Golden Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast

Get ready to elevate your culinary experience with this truly exceptional Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast recipe! This dish transforms a simple turkey breast into a show-stopping centerpiece, perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner, a festive holiday meal, or any special occasion that calls for something extraordinary. Imagine succulent, tender turkey, expertly seasoned with a vibrant balsamic garlic herb rub, then embraced by a crispy, smoky bacon weave. This exquisite combination promises an unforgettable burst of flavor and a remarkably moist result that will impress every guest at your table.

Originally shared during Thanksgiving Week back in 2014, this recipe has consistently stood as one of the most beloved and frequently visited pages on our blog year after year, particularly during the holiday season. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its unparalleled taste and surprisingly simple preparation. This isn’t just another turkey recipe; it’s a culinary revelation that consistently delivers on its promise of flavor and texture.

The beauty of this dish lies in its perfect balance: the turkey remains incredibly tender and juicy, while the bacon achieves an irresistible crispness, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes in every bite. The savory depth of the bacon, combined with the aromatic balsamic garlic herb rub, infuses the entire breast with a phenomenally flavorful profile that is salty, garlicky, and deeply herbaceous. It’s an experience for the senses that will leave your family and friends raving.

Beyond its impressive flavor and elegant presentation, one of the greatest advantages of this bacon wrapped turkey breast is its straightforward preparation. Requiring only about 10 minutes of active prep time, followed by a manageable hour of roasting in the oven, it’s a convenient main course that doesn’t demand hours of culinary effort. This efficiency means you’ll have ample time to focus on preparing delightful side dishes, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable cooking experience, whether it’s for a busy weeknight or a grand holiday feast.

Imagine pairing this magnificent turkey with an array of complementary sides, like decadent Sweet Potato Skins with Sage Pesto and Bacon (because who can resist more bacon?), a hearty Mushroom Brussels Sprout Casserole, or creamy Crock Pot Creamed Corn. This main dish allows you to create a truly memorable meal with minimal fuss, making it a perfect choice for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast

Crafting this incredible Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast begins with selecting the right ingredients. Here, we delve into each component, explaining its role in the recipe and offering helpful substitution options to ensure your dish is nothing short of perfection. For precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card at the very bottom of this post.

• Balsamic Vinegar: This adds a delightful tangy sweetness and helps to tenderize the turkey while creating a beautiful crust. Choose a good quality balsamic for the best flavor.
• Olive Oil: Essential for a rich, flavorful rub, olive oil helps to carry the herb flavors and ensures the turkey stays moist during roasting. Extra virgin olive oil will lend a more robust flavor.
• Fresh Rosemary: Its pungent, piney aroma pairs wonderfully with both turkey and bacon. Using fresh herbs makes a significant difference in the final taste compared to dried.
• Fresh Thyme: Earthy and slightly minty, fresh thyme complements rosemary beautifully and adds depth to the herb rub. Again, fresh is key for optimal aroma and flavor.
• Steak Seasoning: This secret weapon provides a robust and savory flavor base. Our homemade steak seasoning (linked for your convenience) includes a balanced blend of kosher salt, coarse ground pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and other spices, delivering that classic Montreal steak flavor. If making your own isn’t an option, a store-bought Montreal steak seasoning from your grocery store’s spice aisle will work perfectly.
• Garlic Cloves: Freshly crushed garlic is non-negotiable for that irresistible pungent and aromatic kick. It’s a fundamental flavor in our herb rub.
• Boneless Turkey Breast: For this recipe, you’ll need what’s commonly labeled as a “turkey breast roast,” ideally weighing between 3-4 pounds. It’s crucial that it’s boneless and skinless for optimal results. Unfortunately, this recipe is not suitable for a bone-in turkey breast or a larger roast, as the increased cooking time required for bone-in or larger cuts would cause the bacon to burn before the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature and becomes fully cooked. Always ensure your turkey breast is completely thawed before beginning preparation.
• Bacon: The star of the show! It’s vital to use regular sliced bacon, not thick-cut bacon, for this recipe. Regular slices are more pliable and easier to weave, ensuring even coverage and crisping without burning prematurely. Thick-cut bacon takes longer to cook and crisp, which could lead to overcooked turkey or undercooked bacon.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Culinary Masterpiece

Creating this magnificent Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast is a straightforward process, designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. Follow these detailed steps to achieve a perfectly juicy turkey with crispy bacon every time.

Begin by preheating your oven to a precise 400°F (200°C). This ensures the oven is at the optimal temperature for even cooking and crisping the bacon from the moment the turkey enters.

In a small mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together the balsamic vinegar and olive oil until well combined. This forms the liquid base for your aromatic rub. Next, finely chop 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary and 4 sprigs of fresh thyme. Add these chopped herbs to the bowl, along with the steak seasoning and the crushed garlic. Stir everything thoroughly until you have a fragrant, well-blended herb rub.

Generously brush this aromatic mixture all over the boneless turkey breast. Ensure every surface is coated, as this rub will impart incredible flavor and help to create a beautifully savory crust during roasting.

Now, take the two remaining sprigs of fresh rosemary and thyme and strategically place them on top of the herb-rubbed turkey breast. These will infuse additional aromatic notes during cooking and can be easily removed later.

Next comes the fun part: weaving the bacon. Carefully arrange the bacon strips over the turkey breast, creating an attractive and effective weave pattern. This technique ensures even bacon coverage and a stunning presentation.

Once the bacon weave is complete, gently wrap the remaining bacon around the sides and tuck the ends neatly underneath the turkey breast. Ensure the tips of the rosemary and thyme sprigs are slightly visible and accessible at the ends, making them easy to locate and remove after the turkey has finished roasting. This step helps secure the bacon and prevents it from unraveling during cooking.

Prepare your roasting pan by lining a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup, then place a wire rack on top. Carefully transfer the bacon-wrapped turkey breast onto this wire rack. Roasting on a wire rack allows for better air circulation around the entire turkey, promoting even cooking and ensuring the bacon gets perfectly crispy on all sides.

With any leftover herb rub, brush it lightly over the top of the bacon weave. This adds another layer of flavor and helps create a beautiful golden-brown finish.

Place the baking sheet with the turkey into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the turkey breast reaches a safe 165°F (74°C) when measured with a reliable meat thermometer. It’s always best to rely on temperature for doneness rather than time alone. During the last 20-30 minutes, keep an eye on the bacon; if it starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent burning while the turkey finishes cooking.

Once cooked, carefully remove the turkey from the oven. Before slicing, gently pull out the sprigs of rosemary and thyme from under the bacon. Allow the turkey to rest for at least 10-15 minutes. This resting period is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a more tender and moist slice. After resting, slice the turkey into generous portions and serve immediately.

If you craft this magnificent turkey for your holiday table or any special gathering, we’d love to see your creation! Be sure to share a picture on Instagram and tag us @whitneybond, using the hashtag #WBRecipes. Your culinary triumph could inspire others!

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Garlic Herb Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast

This bacon wrapped turkey breast is covered in a balsamic garlic herb rub then wrapped in a bacon weave for a flavorful, juicy turkey recipe.

Servings:

4
people

Prep Time:

10
mins

Cook Time:

1
hr

Total Time:

1
hr
10
mins

Author:

Whitney Bond

Course:
Main Course

Cuisine:
American

Video

Watch the recipe video here: Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast Video

Ingredients

• 3
  tablespoons
  
  balsamic vinegar
  
• 2
  tablespoons
  
  olive oil
  
• 6
  sprigs
  
  fresh rosemary
  ,
  divided
• 6
  sprigs
  
  fresh thyme
  ,
  divided
• 2
  tablespoons
  
  steak seasoning
  
• 6
  cloves
  
  garlic
  ,
  crushed
• 3-4
  pound
  boneless, skinless turkey breast
• 10
  slices
  
  regular sliced bacon
  

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
3. Chop 4 sprigs of rosemary and 4 sprigs of thyme. Add them to the bowl with the steak seasoning and crushed garlic. Mix well to combine.
4. Brush this herb mixture generously over the entire turkey breast.
5. Place the two remaining sprigs of rosemary and thyme on top of the turkey breast.
6. Weave the bacon slices together directly over the turkey breast to create a uniform layer.
7. Carefully wrap any excess bacon around the sides and tuck the ends neatly underneath the turkey.
8. Ensure the ends of the rosemary and thyme sprigs are slightly visible for easy removal after baking.
9. Place the bacon wrapped turkey on a wire rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet or in a roasting pan with a tray.
10. Brush any remaining herb rub over the top of the bacon weave.
11. Place the turkey in the preheated oven, ideally on a lower-middle rack to prevent the bacon from browning too quickly near the heating element. Bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the turkey breast reaches 165°F (74°C) using an instant-read thermometer.
12. Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven. Carefully remove the sprigs of rosemary and thyme from under the bacon. Let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes for Success

• Monitor Bacon Browning: After about 40 minutes of baking, keep a close eye on the bacon. If it appears to be browning too quickly or risking burning, loosely cover the turkey breast with aluminum foil. This will protect the bacon while allowing the turkey to continue cooking until it reaches the desired internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Only Use Boneless Turkey Breast: It is crucial for this recipe to use a boneless turkey breast, preferably a “turkey breast roast” of 3-4 pounds. A bone-in turkey breast would require a significantly longer cooking time, causing the bacon to burn long before the turkey is fully cooked through. Additionally, larger cuts may not allow the bacon to fully wrap around, leading to uneven cooking.
• Remove Turkey Skin if Present: If your turkey breast comes with the skin attached, we highly recommend using a sharp knife to carefully remove it before preparing this recipe. Since the turkey is wrapped in bacon, the skin will not be exposed to direct heat, preventing it from crisping up. The resulting texture of unexposed turkey skin can be rubbery and unappeating.
• Thaw Turkey Completely: Always ensure the turkey breast is completely thawed before you begin preparing this dish. For best results and food safety, transfer the frozen turkey breast from the freezer to the refrigerator 2-3 days before you plan to cook it. This allows for thorough and safe thawing.
• Steak Seasoning Alternatives: If you don’t have a pre-mixed steak seasoning or access to the ingredients for our homemade version, you can substitute it with a simple blend of 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and 1 tablespoon of coarse ground black pepper. While the flavor profile will be slightly different, it will still provide a delicious seasoning base.
• Dietary Information: This recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free when prepared using the ingredients listed in this post, making it suitable for guests with these dietary needs.
• Leftover Storage: Store any remaining bacon wrapped turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving
4
serving



Calories
762
kcal
(38%)



Carbohydrates
6
g
(2%)



Protein
109
g
(218%)



Fat
33
g
(51%)



Saturated Fat
8
g
(40%)



Polyunsaturated Fat
4
g



Monounsaturated Fat
15
g



Trans Fat
0.1
g



Cholesterol
320
mg
(107%)



Sodium
551
mg
(23%)



Potassium
164
mg
(5%)



Fiber
1
g
(4%)



Sugar
2
g
(2%)



Vitamin A
149
mg
(3%)



Vitamin C
4
mg
(5%)



Calcium
122
mg
(12%)



Iron
7
mg
(39%)

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Tag @WhitneyBond on Instagram and hashtag it #WBRecipes!