Walnut and Sage Pesto Turkey Breast

This Thanksgiving, roast two or more turkey breast halves. They're readily available, easy to prepare, and perfect for a small gathering.


Walnut and Sage Pesto Turkey Breast


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Prep Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 2 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 10 to 12 servings
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Ingredients
 
savings in
 
  • 2  3- to 3-1/2-lb.  fresh or frozen bone-in turkey breast halvesOn Sale
  •     Nonstick cooking sprayOn Sale
  • 2  7-oz. container  refrigerated basil pesto or 10-oz. jar purchased pestoOn Sale
  • 1/3  cup  finely chopped fresh sageOn Sale
  • 1/4  cup  finely chopped walnutsOn Sale
  • 1/2  tsp.  saltOn Sale
  • 1/2  tsp.  freshly ground black pepperOn Sale
  • 1  recipe  Onion-Thyme Gravy (optional)On Sale

Directions
1.
Thaw turkey, if frozen. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large shallow roasting pan and rack with cooking spray. Place turkey breast halves, bone side down, on rack in prepared pan. Set aside.
2.
In a medium bowl combine pesto, sage, walnuts, salt, and pepper; mix well. Reserve half the pesto mixture to pass with turkey. Cover; chill until serving time.
3.
Starting at the breast bone, slip your fingers between skin and meat to loosen skin, leaving skin attached at top. Rub about two-thirds of the remaining pesto mixture under the skin over the breast meat. Rub remaining pesto mixture over the skin of each breast halve. Insert an oven-going meat thermometer into thickest part of turkey breast, without touching bone. Roast, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Roast 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours longer or until thermometer registers 170 degrees F., juices run clear, and turkey is no longer pink. Cover with foil the last 30 to 45 minutes, if necessary to prevent overbrowning. Let stand, covered with foil, for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with remaining pesto mixture and the Onion-Thyme Gravy. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
4.
Onion-Thyme Gravy: In a medium saucepan melt 2 Tbsp. butter over medium-high heat. Add 1-cup chopped onion, 3 shallots (about 2/3 cup), and 1 tsp. snipped fresh thyme (or 1/4 tsp. dried thyme crushed); cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender and browned.
5.
Stir in 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add 1 14-oz. can reduced-sodium chicken broth, 1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce, and 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce. Cook and stir until mixture comes to boiling; reduce heat to medium. Simmer, uncovered, for 8 to 9 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in 1/8 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Makes 2-1/4 cups or nine 1/4 cup servings.

Nutrition information
Calories 519, Total Fat 27 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat 2 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 171 mg, Sodium 419 mg, Carbohydrate 6 g, Total Sugar 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Protein 61 g. Daily Values: Vitamin C 0%, Calcium 4%, Iron 16%. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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