Turkey Breast with Herbs in the Air Fryer
Juicy fresh turkey breast rubbed with thyme, rosemary and garlic – cooked tender and flavourful in the air fryer with a beautiful golden crust.
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Small bowl For the marinade
- 1 Meat thermometer For checking the core temperature
Ingredients
Turkey Breast
- 700 g fresh turkey breast In one piece
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp salt- 1 tsp pepper Freshly ground
Herbs and Seasoning
- 3 clove garlic Crushed
- 2 tsp fresh thyme Finely chopped, or 1 tsp dried
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary Finely chopped, or 0.5 tsp dried
- 1 tsp lemon zest Finely grated, from an organic lemon
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley Chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Take the 700 g fresh turkey breast out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking so it can come to room temperature. This gives a more even and juicy roast.
- Pat the turkey breast dry with kitchen paper. Remove any sinews and membranes.
- Crush 3 clove garlic and finely chop 2 tsp fresh thyme and 1 tsp fresh rosemary. Grate 1 tsp lemon zest from an organic lemon.
- Mix 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, the garlic, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper together in a small bowl to make a marinade.
- Rub the marinade thoroughly into the entire turkey breast, including the underside. Let it sit while the air fryer preheats.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C.
- Place the turkey breast skin-side up (or the nicest side up) in the air fryer basket.
- Cook the turkey breast for 30-35 minutes at 180 °C. Turn it halfway through for an even crust. (Check on it a few times along the way.)
- Check the core temperature with a meat thermometer in the thickest part – it should be 73-75 °C for a juicy, fully cooked result.
- Take the turkey breast out and let it rest on the chopping board, loosely covered with foil, for 5-10 minutes. The resting time is important for juiciness.
Serving
- Cut the turkey breast into thin slices across the grain.
- Sprinkle with 1 tbsp fresh parsley and serve immediately with your favourite sides.
Notes
Tips for the perfect result:
Always use a meat thermometer – turkey breast is lean and quickly turns dry if overcooked. 73-75 °C is the perfect core-temperature window. Brine for extra juiciness:
If you have time, you can place the turkey breast in a brine (3 tbsp salt per litre of cold water) for 2-4 hours before cooking. It makes the meat noticeably more tender and juicy. Variation:
Swap the thyme and rosemary for sage and marjoram for a different aromatic profile. You can also add a touch of paprika or chilli for more colour and heat. Serving:
Goes perfectly with baked potatoes, air-fried vegetables, a fresh salad or a creamy mushroom sauce. Leftovers can be used in sandwiches, wraps or salads the next day. Portion size:
If your air fryer is smaller, choose a turkey breast that fits in the basket, or cut it into two pieces and cook them one after the other.
Always use a meat thermometer – turkey breast is lean and quickly turns dry if overcooked. 73-75 °C is the perfect core-temperature window. Brine for extra juiciness:
If you have time, you can place the turkey breast in a brine (3 tbsp salt per litre of cold water) for 2-4 hours before cooking. It makes the meat noticeably more tender and juicy. Variation:
Swap the thyme and rosemary for sage and marjoram for a different aromatic profile. You can also add a touch of paprika or chilli for more colour and heat. Serving:
Goes perfectly with baked potatoes, air-fried vegetables, a fresh salad or a creamy mushroom sauce. Leftovers can be used in sandwiches, wraps or salads the next day. Portion size:
If your air fryer is smaller, choose a turkey breast that fits in the basket, or cut it into two pieces and cook them one after the other.
Nutrition
Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 45gFat: 11gSaturated fat: 2gPolyunsaturated fat: 2gMonounsaturated fat: 6gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 650mgPotassium: 480mgVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 2mgNet carbohydrates: 2g
