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Sous Vide Turkey Breast

My Sous Vide Turkey Breast is cooked low and slow, and flavored with a spice blend of poultry seasoning, Cajun seasoning, and other spices. This simple method of cooking results in deliciously juicy and flavorful turkey breast every time.

Table set with two servings of turkey breast, mashed potato and green beans set on white plates with a gravy jug set alongside


 

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Turkey breast is a really lean meat, and has a reputation for being dry and tasteless. Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to my sous vide turkey breast recipe. The slow, gentle cook ensures juicy, succulent, tender slices of turkey breast every time.

Also the blend of spices used to coat the turkey, and the quick brown under the broiler once its cooked, transform the flavor.

My sous vide turkey breast is a real treat and is making this the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table. However, it’s not just for the holidays, but for enjoying any weekend with my family.

Once you’ve mastered the art of sous vide, you will be using this technique time and again. This method of cooking works well with a whole host of other ingredients, from meat and poultry, to fish, vegetables and even eggs. So why not get creative and give it a try?

Be sure to try my sous vide pork chops or sous vide filet mignon.

Why sous vide turkey breast?

Sous vide is a healthy cooking method and requires less oil and fat that more traditional cooking methods, like roasting.

The slow cooking process ensures the meat is cooked through, whilst retaining all the flavor within the bag the turkey breast is cooking in, nothing escapes. This method results in moist, juicy, flavorful turkey every time.

Ingredients

Sous vide turkey breast ingredients

Here is what you will need for this recipe.  

  • Boneless turkey breast
  • Mayonnaise
  • Poultry seasoning
  • Cajun seasoning
  • Kosher salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper

How to make my Sous Vide Turkey Breast 

Sous vide water bath with immersion circulator attached

Clip the immersion circulator to the side of the large pot or basin.

Add water and fill it until the minimum water level of the immersion circulator is reached and there is enough water to cover the food you will cook.

Turn on the immersion circulator by setting the temperature to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (60C). Set the time for 3 hours.

Whole turkey breast coated in spice blend set into a white bowl

In a small bowl, add mayonnaise, poultry seasoning, cajun seasoning, Kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Spread this mayonnaise mixture over the turkey breast on all sides. 

Add the turkey breasts into a plastic sous vide bag or a plastic sealable bag.

Remove the air from the bag and seal it. 

Water bath containing bag with whole turkey breast and immersion circulator attached

Once the temperature in the water bath has been reached, add the sealed turkey breast and allow it to cook for 3 hours.

Sheet pan with whole turkey breast just taken from sous vide

Remove the turkey breast from the water and bag and pat it dry.

Sheet pan with whole roasted turkey breast

To Brown the skin – Preheat the oven to broil. Place the turkey breast on a lined baking sheet and place it in the oven.

Allow the turkey breast to broil for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway so that it browns on all sides.

Expert Tips

These tips will help you make the best turkey breast you’ve ever tasted. 

  • Take the turkey breast out of the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking and allow it to come to room temperature. This results in a more even cook as the meat is not too cold.
  • The turkey breast can remain in the sous vide bath at the temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 hours. With this method you can’t overcook the turkey.
  • Always brown the turkey breast before serving as it will really intensify the flavor.
  • Once the turkey breast has been browned under the broiler, rest it for 10 minutes, before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to be absorbed back into the turkey.
Sheet pan with roasted and sliced turkey breast

Variations 

This blend of spices and seasonings I use to coat the turkey breast add lots of extra flavor. Here are some suggestions if you want to mix things up.

  • I have used a boneless turkey breast but this method works with bone-in turkey breast too.
  • Play with the flavors of the spice blend, for example use Italian seasoning along with the poultry seasoning.
  • Add some fresh herbs like thyme, sage, or rosemary.
  • Crush some fresh garlic cloves.
  • Add some fresh lemon or orange zest.
White plate with slices of turkey breast, mashed potato and green beans

How to serve my sous vide turkey breast  

Turkey is a very versatile meat and works with many different sides. I always like to serve potato, one or two veggie sides and some Homemade Gravy.

When it comes to great tasting sides you can’t beat my Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Scalloped Potatoes with Blue Cheese or my Garlic Mashed Potatoes. For a great alternative to regular potatoes try my Mashed Sweet Potatoes or my Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes.

For vegetable sides I like to add some green peas, or some simple steamed broccoli. Try my Fried Cabbage, Instant Pot Buttered Cabbage, Southern Green Beans, Smothered Green Beans, Carrot Soufflé or Marinated Air Fryer Vegetables.

How to store cooked turkey breast

To meal prep: The turkey breast requires to cook gently for 3 hours in the water bath. However, you can then leave it sitting for a further 3-5 hours. This is a great recipe to prepare earlier in the day, leave the turkey sitting in the water bath, then pop it under the broiler to brown when you are ready to serve.

To refrigerate: Keep any leftover turkey breast in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Leftovers make a great addition to salads, soups, pasta dishes and sandwiches the next day.

To freeze: Once cooked and cooled, place the turkey into an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator when you are ready to enjoy.

Table set with two servings of turkey breast, mashed potato and green beans set on white plates with a gravy jug set alongside

FAQs:

How long does it take to cook a turkey breast in a sous vide?

Cooking times will depend on the size of the turkey breast. I cook a 3 pound, boneless turkey breast for 3 hours.

What temperature do you sous vide turkey breast?

I cook turkey breast in the sous vide at 145F degrees to ensure it is cooked to well done.

Can you sous vide a whole turkey?

I don’t recommend cooking a whole turkey sous vide. It is difficult to get the temperature right when cooking the whole bird as the temperatures required to cook the white breast meat and dark leg meat are different.

Do I need to brine the turkey before cooking it sous vide?

No, I’ve never brined my turkey, as it’s cooked in a delicious blend of spices that pack lots of flavor into the finished turkey breast.

If you have tried this Sous Vide Turkey Breast recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

White plate with slices of turkey breast, mashed potato and green beans and a gravy jug, napkin and cutlery set alongside
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4.67 from 3 votes

Sous Vide Turkey Breast

Sous vide turkey breast cooked low and slow and flavored with a spice blend of poultry seasoning, Cajun seasoning and other spices. The result is perfect moist and tender turkey every time.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword how to sous vide turkey breast, sous vide turkey breast
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 254kcal
Author Tanya

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Clip the immersion circulator to the side of the large pot or basin. Add water and fill it until the minimum water level of the immersion circulator is reached and there is enough water to cover the food you will cook. Turn on the immersion circulator by setting the temperature to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (60C). Set the time for 3 hours.
  • In a small bowl, add mayonnaise, poultry seasoning, cajun seasoning, Kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Spread this mayonnaise mixture over the turkey breast on all sides.
  • Add the turkey breasts into a plastic sous vide bag or a plastic sealable bag. Remove the air from the bag and seal it.
  • Once the temperature in the water bath has been reached, add the sealed turkey breast and allow it to cook for 3 hours. * see notes below
  • Remove turkey breast from the water and bag and pat it dry.

To brown the skin:

  • Preheat the oven to broil. Place the turkey breast on a lined baking sheet and place it in the oven. Allow the turkey breast to broil for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway.

Suggested Tools

1 sous vide water bath a large pot or basin will work here too

Notes

  • The turkey breast can remain in the sous vide bath at the temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 232mg | Potassium: 385mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 121IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg
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4.67 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)
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