This Cajun Turkey Breast is so moist and perfectly seasoned with Cajun spices, it's a delicious choice for those smaller families - or if you prefer just cooking a breast anyway you could always make a few for a larger family.
People start wondering how they're going to prepare their Thanksgiving turkey recipe well in advance. For us, sometimes we fry a whole turkey. Sometimes we stuff and bake it and sometimes we just make the breast.
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe so yummy
- Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
- Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Necessary gear: Equipment
- More thanksgiving recipes I think you'll love
- How to store leftovers
- Mel's kitchen notes
- Frequently asked questions: FAQs
- Cajun Turkey Breast
- 💬 Comments
What makes this recipe so yummy
- Cooking a juicy turkey breast makes things so much cleaner and easier. You don't have to worry about who's going to 'carve the turkey' and hack it to death.
- If your family is anything like mine, most prefer the breast meat. That's not to say they don't like the dark meat, but it's just easier to eat. I love keeping the leftover turkey dark meat to make other dishes after though, so it's win-win.
- Injecting your 3 lb turkey breast is a great way to ensure juicy perfection.
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Plain Turkey Breast
- Cajun Seasoning
- Cajun Injection Marinade
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Step 1: Prepare your injection marinade in a small bowl and fill a meat injection syringe.
- Step 2: Inject the turkey breast from all kinds of different angles.
- Step 3: Allow to sit at room temperature in a roasting pan for an hour. Reinject as the marinade seeps out.
- Step 4: Preheat the oven and sprinkle the turkey breast with Cajun seasoning.
- Step 5: Bake in the oven for 90 minutes, until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 160°F.
- Step 6: Remove and cover with foil. Allow to sit for 1 hour covered before slicing.
Hint: If you are able to, the longer you marinate the turkey, the better. You could even inject overnight and keep in the refrigerator. Just remember to pull it out 1 hour before you want to start cooking so that it's not cold going into the oven.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Black Pepper - add a little more of this when adding your Cajun seasoning mix.
- Brown Sugar - sprinkle some brown sugar to add a touch of sweetness.
- Cayenne Pepper - If you like more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
The Corn Casserole shown above is my Slow Cooker Jiffy Corn Casserole.
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Necessary gear: Equipment
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I feel using a meat thermometer is a very important tool when cooking turkey. Whether it's a whole bird or just the breast like in this recipe. I love the kind that you can insert into the meat and leave it in there while it cooks, so you can watch the temperature. Like this one.
Although not absolutely necessary - I find injecting my turkey helps add moisture and flavor throughout the entire bird. You'll need a tool like this one for an easy way to inject the marinade.
I also have images/information about these tools in the recipe card below.
More thanksgiving recipes I think you'll love
- Cajun Injection Marinade
- Fried Apples
- Baked Oyster Dressing
- Mac and Cheese
- Cajun Green Beans
- Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole
- Crispy Instant Pot Potatoes
- Popeyes Mashed Potatoes
- Cranberry Apple Rice Pilaf
- Cranberry Apple Salad
- Tri Tip Roast Slow Cooker Recipe
- Dried Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Cajun Cornbread Dressing
- Leftover Turkey Roll Ups
- Texas Roadhouse Sauteed Mushrooms Recipe
- Smoked Turkey Injection Recipe
- Smoked Turkey Rub Recipe
- Amish Turkey Stuffing Recipe
- Southern Giblet Gravy Recipe
If you're looking for a dessert for after your Thanksgiving dinner, you should check out this list of Best Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Desserts.
Try this Southern Coca-Cola Ham Recipe too, it's great for the holidays.
How to store leftovers
Once cooled completely store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can freeze turkey breast after you cook it, just wrap tightly in cling wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Mel's kitchen notes
The most important part about cooking a turkey is allowing to rest after cooking (for about as long as your cooking time was). This will allow all the juices inside to redistribute. Don't worry about your turkey not being hot, most of the time we cover with our homemade gravy anyway, right?
Frequently asked questions: FAQs
I feel the most important thing (other than not cooking too high temperature of course) - is letting it rest, covered, for the same amount of time it took to cook it. If it take 2 hours, let rest for 2 hours. The redistribution of all the moisture inside definitely is a game changer.
Neither is better than the other. Of course, it will affect the time needed to cook it, but as long as you reach 160° and don't cook any further you should end up with a moist and flavorful turkey breast.
I can't really say which is best. Obviously, a turkey gravy will match the meat, but in our family we prefer a brown gravy on our mashed potatoes...so I guess it goes down to preference. I use this pot roast seasoning to make my brown gravy.
Looking how to use up any leftover turkey? You should try this One Pot Turkey Pasta. It's great.
If you’ve tried this Cajun Turkey Breast Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!
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Cajun Turkey Breast
Video
Ingredients
- 3 Pounds Turkey Breast thawed
- 2 teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
- ¾ Cup Cajun Injection Marinade
Instructions
- Place thawed turkey breast into a baking dish.3 Pounds Turkey Breast
- Using an injector syringe, inject Cajun Injection Marinade into the turkey breast on different angles. If you have any left you can pour it over the top.¾ Cup Cajun Injection Marinade
- Allow to sit at room temperature for an hour, marinating. Reinject as it seeps out over the course of the hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Sprinkle the Cajun Seasoning all over the outside of the turkey breast and bake in the oven, uncovered, for about 1-½ hours. Until a meat thermometer reads 160°F. (it will reach the required 165° after you take it out of the oven)2 teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
- Place a foil tent over the top of the turkey breast and allow to sit for 1 hour before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
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