Simple Guide: How to Cook Cracker Barrel Turkey Breast

Ever wished you could enjoy that wonderfully tender, flavorful turkey breast from Cracker Barrel right in your own kitchen? Good news! You absolutely can. Recreating this beloved comfort food at home is not only satisfying but also a fantastic way to bring a taste of homestyle goodness to your family table. Forget the fuss; with a few simple steps, you can master how to cook Cracker Barrel turkey breast that rivals the original.

Cracker Barrel’s turkey breast is famous for being incredibly moist and seasoned just right, often served with a generous pour of gravy. While they slow-roast theirs to perfection, we can achieve a very similar, delicious result using your home oven. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal, a holiday gathering, or anytime you’re craving classic comfort food without leaving the house.

What You’ll Need: Gather Your Ingredients

To whip up this copycat Cracker Barrel turkey breast, you won’t need anything too fancy. Here’s a simple list to get started:

• Turkey Breast: A boneless, skinless turkey breast (about 2-3 pounds is ideal).
• Chicken or Turkey Broth: About 2 cups, for moisture and flavor.
• Butter: 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons), melted.
• Seasonings:
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• Optional (for extra flavor): Fresh herbs (like parsley or sage sprigs), a chopped onion, or celery.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Perfect Turkey Breast

Ready to get cooking? Follow these easy steps to achieve a juicy, tender turkey breast every time:

Step 1: Prep Your Turkey

First, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). While it heats up, pat your turkey breast dry with paper towels. This helps the seasonings stick better and encourages a nice crust. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sage, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this delicious seasoning mix all over the turkey breast, ensuring it’s evenly coated.

Step 2: Get Ready to Roast

Place the seasoned turkey breast in a roasting pan or a large oven-safe dish. Pour the chicken or turkey broth around the base of the turkey, filling the bottom of the pan. If you’re using optional fresh herbs, onion, or celery, add them to the broth for an extra layer of flavor.

Step 3: Cover and Cook

Cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil. This step is crucial for trapping moisture and ensuring your turkey breast stays incredibly juicy. Place it in your preheated oven and let it cook for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size of your turkey breast. The goal here is gentle, slow cooking to maximize tenderness.

Step 4: Uncover and Brown

After the initial covered cooking time, carefully remove the foil. This is when we’ll encourage that beautiful golden-brown exterior. Increase the oven temperature slightly to 350°F (175°C) and continue cooking for another 30-45 minutes. During this time, you might want to baste the turkey every 15 minutes with the pan juices to keep it moist and help with browning.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

The most important step for perfectly cooked turkey is checking its internal temperature. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast, making sure it doesn’t touch any bone. Your turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If it hasn’t reached this temperature, continue cooking and check every 10-15 minutes.

Step 6: Rest Your Turkey

Once cooked, remove the turkey breast from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Cover it loosely with foil and let it rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every slice is as moist and flavorful as possible.

Don’t Forget the Gravy!

Those savory pan drippings left in your roasting pan are pure gold! Here’s how to turn them into a delicious gravy:

1. Carefully pour the pan drippings into a saucepan. You can skim off some excess fat if you like.
2. For every cup of drippings, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (or flour) with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry.
3. Bring the drippings to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the slurry gradually, stirring constantly until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Add a splash more broth if it’s too thick.

Pro Tips for Turkey Breast Perfection

• Use a Meat Thermometer: This is your best friend for preventing dry turkey. Always aim for 165°F (74°C).
• Don’t Overcook: As soon as it hits 165°F, it’s done. Every minute past that risks drying it out.
• The Power of Resting: Seriously, don’t skip the rest! It makes all the difference in moisture and tenderness.
• Consider Brining (Optional): For an extra juicy and flavorful turkey, consider brining it for a few hours (or overnight) before cooking. A simple brine of water, salt, sugar, and your favorite aromatics works wonders.
• Basting is Key: While covered, the turkey self-bastes. Once uncovered, regular basting helps build flavor and keeps the surface moist.
• Pan Size Matters: Use a roasting pan that fits your turkey breast snugly but allows for some air circulation.

Serving Suggestions: What Goes with Turkey Breast?

Just like Cracker Barrel, your homemade turkey breast pairs beautifully with classic side dishes:

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes (perfect for soaking up that gravy!)
• Green Bean Casserole or simple steamed green beans
• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Homemade Stuffing or Dressing
• Cranberry Sauce
• Dinner Rolls

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Leftovers

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Here’s how to store and reheat your turkey breast:

• Refrigeration: Store cooked turkey breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, slice the turkey and freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Reheating:
  • Oven: Place slices in an oven-safe dish with a splash of broth to prevent drying. Cover with foil and reheat at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through.
  • Microwave: For small portions, microwave with a tablespoon of broth or water until hot.
  • Stovetop: Gently warm slices in a skillet with a little broth or gravy over low heat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Turkey Breast

Q: Can I use a bone-in turkey breast?
A: Yes, you can! Bone-in turkey breast may take a bit longer to cook, but the bone can also add extra flavor and help keep the meat moist. Just ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Q: What if I don’t have fresh herbs?
A: Dried herbs work perfectly fine! The recipe already calls for dried sage, thyme, and rosemary. If you only have fresh, use about three times the amount of dried herbs (e.g., 3 teaspoons fresh sage for 1 teaspoon dried).

Q: My turkey breast skin isn’t browning well. What can I do?
A: Make sure to pat the turkey very dry before seasoning. Increasing the oven temperature slightly towards the end of cooking and basting with the pan juices can help. For a crispier skin, you could also brush a little butter on it after removing the foil.

Q: Can I prepare this ahead of time?
A: You can season the turkey breast up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to really meld. You can also make the gravy ahead and reheat it.

Enjoy Your Homemade Cracker Barrel-Style Turkey Breast!

See? Cooking a delicious, moist Cracker Barrel-style turkey breast at home is totally achievable. With these tips and a little patience, you’ll be serving up a meal that tastes like it came straight from your favorite country store. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and get ready to impress your taste buds!