It can be challenging to cook a turkey breast from start to finish. Overcooking leads to dry and tough meat, while undercooking can lead to concerns about food safety. The key to success is knowing your turkey breast temperatures. Whether you’re roasting, smoking, or using sous vide, understanding the correct internal temperature of the turkey breast is crucial.
This article reviews the turkey breast done temperature, the recommended temperatures by cooking method, and how to determine if your turkey breast is cooked. When you know the temperature to cook turkey breast, you can enjoy a juicy, flavorful meal every time.
Table of contents
What Temperature is Turkey Breast Done?
One of the most common questions when preparing turkey breast is, “What temperature is turkey breast done?” While this varies with preparation and personal preference, the general rule is:
- The safe internal temperature for turkey breast is 165°F (74°C). Per USDA guidelines, this ensures the meat is fully cooked and safe to eat.
However, what temperature turkey breast is done also depends on how juicy or well-done you like it. Here’s a quick rundown of turkey breast temperature done:
- For a juicy and tender turkey breast (usually preferred): 165°F (74°C).
- For a little firmer texture (more well done): Pull it out at 170°F (77°C).
Note: The turkey breast temperature will rise a few degrees as it rests, so it is okay to remove the turkey a few degrees prior.
Turkey Breast Cooking Temperatures by Method
Each cooking method has a desired turkey breast temperature. Whether roasting, smoking, or pressure cooking, the temperature at which you cook your turkey will directly affect its flavor and texture.
Oven Roasting
While roasting, the oven temperature for turkey breast should be set to 350°F (175°C). The cooking times depend on the weight of the turkey breast:
- Bone-in turkey breast: 20 minutes per pound
- Boneless turkey breast: 18 minutes per pound
Check with a thermometer at the thickest part of the meat to ensure it reaches the internal turkey breast temperature. Then roast until the internal turkey breast temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Smoking
In smoking, a lower temperature should be used for a prolonged duration. Set the smoker at 225°F (107°C) and allow the turkey to smoke for approximately 30-40 minutes per pound. The goal is to achieve the smoked turkey breast temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Sous Vide
Sous vide cooking gives you precise control over the sous vide turkey breast temperature. The recommended temperature to cook turkey breast is 145°F (63°C) under the sous vide. The cooking duration is 2–4 hours to achieve such a tender texture without worrying about it overcooking.
Slow Cooker
Using a slow cooker, the boneless turkey breast temperature should hit 165°F (74°C) in around 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high. It is an easy and hands-off method to get yourself a juicy turkey breast.
Pressure Cooker
If you use a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot, the turkey breast temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). The turkey breast weighing 4-6 lb will be cooked for 30-40 minutes under high pressure, and then it should go for a natural release that takes around 10-15 minutes.
Internal Temperature Guide by Type of Turkey Breast
Different types of turkey breast have a slight setting change in time and temperature during cooking.
Bone-In Turkey Breast
Bone-in turkey breast generally cooks more slowly, but the bone helps keep the meat juicy and flavorful. For best results, roast at 350°F (175°C) until the internal turkey breast temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Boneless Turkey Breast
A boneless turkey breast cooks much faster than a bone-in. Usually, at 350°F (175°C), a boneless turkey breast will reach the ideal turkey breast temperature of 165°F (74°C) in 18 minutes per pound. For a little extra juiciness, take it off at 160°F (71°C) and let it rest until it reaches 165°F.
Stuffed Turkey Breast
When cooking a stuffed turkey breast, always check the stuffing temperature, which also has to reach 165°F (74°C), so make sure your thermometer probes the meat versus stuffing.
Smoked Turkey Breast
The smoked turkey breast temperature of 165°F (74°C) should be attained before pulling the bird off the smoker, but smoking could add a few more minutes depending on the size of the bird.
Best Meat Thermometers for Turkey Breast
When it comes to cooking turkey breast so that it comes out really well, a reliable wireless meat thermometer is your absolute must-have. Whether you have a bone-in turkey breast, a boneless turkey breast, or even try a smoked turkey breast, the meat thermometers help ensure the target turkey breast temperature every time.
One of the best choices for accuracy and precision is the Typhur Sync Gold Dual Meat Thermometer, built to make cooking your turkey breast easier and more accurate than ever.
Long Range Wireless Meat Thermometer
Why choose the Typhur Sync Gold Dual?
- Dual Probe for Absolute Control: The Typhur Sync Gold Dual has two probes to track internal temperatures of your turkey breast as well as the oven or smoker’s temperature.
- Updates in Real-Time: It has advanced wireless technologies that connect to your phone or smart device via the app.
- Long-range monitoring: Track your turkey from up to 3,000 feet away with the app or Smart Base. You’ll never need to hover over the oven again.
- Accuracy & Precision: At ±0.5°F, it ensures that your turkey breast reaches the perfect temperature at all times.
- Great for Any Cooking Method: Whether cooking turkey breast in the oven, smoking turkey breast, or cooking sous vide, the Typhur Sync Gold Dual will do it all.
- NIST Standard Accuracy: Each Typhur Sync Gold Dual Meat Thermometer is accompanied by a calibration certificate that is NIST certified, thus certifying that each reading is accurate.
How to Check Turkey Breast Temperature Correctly
Knowing how to check turkey breast temperature correctly is key to ensuring it’s cooked safely and to your desired doneness. The best way to know your turkey breasts are done is by using a good meat thermometer; thus, the Typhur wireless meat thermometer is the best instrument with which you can do this.
Follow the steps below for an accurate turkey breast temperature check:
- Insert the Probe: While using a meat thermometer for turkey breast, insert the probe at the correct spot. For bone-in turkey breasts, avoid the bone as it will give off inaccurate readings. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast.
- Set the Desired Temperature: Setting your thermometer amazingly depends on how you want your turkey breast done. Juicy and tender turkey breast should be set at 165°F for medium. Or you can allow it to be set at 170°F for slightly more done. The thermometer will alert you when your turkey has hit the perfect turkey breast done temperature.
- Resting After Cooking: The resting process should take up to a minimum of 15-20 minutes, once the turkey has been removed from the oven. During this time, the temperature will rise slightly, while the moisture will stay in the meat as the juices are redistributed.
FAQ
How long does turkey breast take to cook?
Depending on the weight and method, the turkey breast cooking time changes. Generally speaking, turkey breast can be cooked at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes per pound if bone-in and for 18 minutes per pound for boneless.
Is turkey still pink at 165°F?
Yes, the turkey can appear even just slightly pink when at 165°F (74°C). The condition for safety is the temperature and not the color. At that temperature, the turkey should be safe to eat.
Should turkey breast be cooked covered or uncovered?
The best thing is to cook the turkey breast loosely covered with foil. Uncover the last 15–20 minutes to brown and crisp the skin.
Summary
The secret to a perfectly cooked turkey breast is understanding turkey breast temperature and how to use a thermometer accordingly. If your technique involves roasting, smoking, or sous vide, one thing is sure: the internal temperature of turkey breast has to be brought to 165°F (74°C) for safety and flavor.
With a good thermometer such as the Typhur Sync Gold Dual, cooking the perfect turkey breast will become a piece of cake. You should be able to confidently cook a bone-in turkey breast, a boneless turkey breast, or even a smoked turkey breast without stress. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll have a juicy, flavorful turkey breast ready to impress every time.
