This Cajun Turkey Breast is incredibly moist, succulent, juicy, and easy to make. You only need a handful of ingredients, and it's packed with flavor.
Whether you're hosting this holiday season or bringing a main dish to a gathering, this Cajun turkey breast is a fantastic option—especially for serving a smaller crowd.
The best part? It doesn't require a wet or dry brine, and there's no need for lengthy marinating to achieve a perfectly juicy result. The key to success is checking the internal temperature, not just the cooking time. An instant-read meat thermometer is the best tool for checking that your turkey breast is cooked to perfection without any risk of dryness.
This simple step takes the guesswork out of the process, letting you relax and focus on other things, like preparing a delicious side dish or simply enjoying your guests.
My Cajun Oven Roasted Turkey Thighs inspired this recipe, and it pairs well with my Herb Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe, Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese, Sauteed Green Beans, and Thanksgiving Cajun Rice Dressing.
Jump to:
Ingredients
Let's dive into the ingredients used to bring this easy Cajun turkey breast recipe to life. You'll need:
- Bone-In turkey breast
- Grape-seed oil (avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil)
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Cajun seasoning
- Onion
- Fresh garlic
Notes
Grape-seed oil: Turkey breast is lean and by adding a fat such as grape-seed oil in this case, also make it moist and flavorful.
How to Make Dutch Oven Cajun Turkey Breast
Cooking a perfectly juicy Cajun turkey breast in a Dutch oven is easier than you might think. Here are step-by-step instructions.
Place sliced onion and fresh garlic in Dutch oven or skillet.
Combine all seasoning and grape-seed oil into a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
Pour Cajun mixture over turkey breast and gently rub over entire breast and underneath the skin. Lift skin by gently place fingers under skin to create space.
Place into oven at 375 degrees F and after 1 hour baste the turkey breast with its pan juices.
Note: Be sure to have an instant-read meat thermometer to prevent overcooking. When your turkey breast reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, it's done. Immediately place on a serving dish and allow it to rest.
By the way, if you’re cooking for a larger crowd this holiday season, my Garlic Butter Herb Roasted Turkey Recipe is a great option to feed everyone.
Equipment
I used a Dutch oven for this recipe. It's oven-safe and the perfect size for allowing the pan juices to stay close to the breast.
On the other hand, you can use a roasting pan or any oven-safe skillet. Just be sure to avoid using one that’s too large or wide, as this can cause the pan juices to spread too thin, potentially affecting the turkey’s moisture.
Storage
Store any leftovers, along with the remaining pan juices, in an airtight container or a large freezer-safe ziploc storage bag. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Top Tips
- To prevent overcooking, use an instant read meat thermometer.
- Cook at a fairly low temperature to also prevent dryness.
- Cook to minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees to prevent dryness.
- For more flavor, purchase turkey breast with skin-on.
- Allow your breast to reach room temperature before cooking.
- Before adding Cajun mixture, thoroughly pat dry your turkey breast with clean paper towels.
FAQ
Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. This will take the guesswork out of wondering if your turkey breast is done. Also, baste with its pan juices and immediately remove it from the oven, and place it on a serving platter or large plate to rest after removing it from the oven.
Turkey breast is best cooked uncovered at a relatively low temperature to ensure moist and tender results.
What to Serve With Dutch Oven Turkey Breast
📖 Recipe
Easy Dutch Oven Cajun Turkey Breast (Bone-In)
Easy Dutch Oven Cajun Turkey Breast (Bone-In)Equipment
- 1 Dutch Oven braiser, skillet, roasting pan, or other oven-safe skillet
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Small bowl
- 1 Whisk
- Measuring spoons for measuring seasoning and cooking oil
Ingredients
- 5-½ lb fresh turkey breast (bone-in, skin-on)
- 3 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 5 garlic cloves
- ½ onion (1 small onion or ½ medium onion)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Slice onion and add it to your Dutch oven in a single layer then add the fresh whole garlic.
- Rinse your turkey breast in cold water and pat dry thoroughly with clean paper towels.
- Combine all seasonings and oil in a small bowl and whisk until combined. Pour Cajun mixture over turkey breast, and gently rub over entire breast and underneath the skin. To rub under skin, use your fingers to gently lift and create space to allow for seasoning.
- Place in preheated oven and after 1 hour use your instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Use this time to gauge how much longer your turkey breast will need to cook to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Before placing your turkey breast back into the oven, baste the entire breast with the pan juices. Then place back into the oven and continue to cook until the breast reaches an internal temperature of 165 F. (NOTE: Pay attention to the internal temperature to prevent it from overcooking and becoming dry).
- When it's done, remove your turkey breast from the oven and baste it again. Then, allow it to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- To prevent overcooking, use an instant read meat thermometer.
- Cook at a fairly low temperature to also prevent dryness.
- Cook to minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees to prevent dryness.
- For more flavor, purchase turkey breast with skin-on.
- Allow your breast to reach room temperature before cooking.
- Before adding Cajun mixture, thoroughly pat dry your turkey breast with clean paper towels.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For the most accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information using the specific ingredients and brands you use.
Thanks for visiting! Please feel free to leave a comment