Juicy Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast – Festive, Flavorful & Perfect for a Smaller Holiday Dinner

🎉 Introduction

This Juicy Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast is a holiday masterpiece — tender, succulent turkey rolled around a rich, savory stuffing full of herbs, garlic, cranberries, and buttery breadcrumbs, then roasted to golden perfection.

It delivers all the nostalgic Christmas turkey flavor without roasting a whole bird, making it perfect for smaller gatherings, romantic holiday dinners, or an elegant holiday centerpiece that cooks in a fraction of the time.

Every slice reveals a beautiful spiral of juicy turkey, festive stuffing, and aromatic herbs — stunning to serve, easy to carve, and even easier to enjoy.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Mixing bowls
• Baking dish or roasting pan
• Kitchen twine
• Instant-read thermometer
• Foil

🛒 Ingredients

For the Turkey

• 1 large boneless turkey breast (2–3 lbs)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme

For the Christmas Stuffing

• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ onion, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (fresh or panko)
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ cup chicken or turkey broth
• Salt & pepper to taste

For the Glaze (Optional but Recommended)

• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Butterfly the Turkey Breast

Place turkey breast on a cutting board.
Use a sharp knife to slice horizontally almost all the way through.
Open the turkey like a book.

Cover with plastic wrap and pound gently to an even ½–¾ inch thickness.

Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and thyme.

Step 2: Prepare the Christmas Stuffing

In a pan, melt butter.
Sauté onion and celery 4–5 minutes.
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.

Remove from heat and stir in:

• breadcrumbs
• cranberries
• pecans
• parsley
• sage
• thyme
• broth
• salt & pepper

Stuffing should be moist but not soggy — add broth as needed.

Cool slightly.

Step 3: Stuff & Roll the Turkey

Spread stuffing evenly over the butterflied turkey, leaving a ½-inch border around edges.

Roll tightly from one short end to the other, like a jelly roll.

Tie with kitchen twine in 4–5 places to hold the shape.

Brush with olive oil or glaze mixture.

Step 4: Roast

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Place stuffed turkey breast seam-side down in a baking dish.

Roast 45–60 minutes, brushing with glaze halfway through, until the center reaches:

Internal temperature: 160°F (71°C)
(It will rise to 165°F while resting.)

Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Step 5: Serve

Slice into thick medallions showing off the beautiful spiral stuffing.

Serve with:

• gravy
• cranberry sauce
• mashed potatoes
• roasted veggies

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 20 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: 3–4 days
Freezer: 2 months (whole or sliced)

Reheat gently with a splash of broth to keep it juicy.

🥄 Variations

1. Spinach & Cheese Stuffing
   Add spinach + parmesan or mozzarella.
2. Apple Sage Stuffing
   Add diced apples + sautéed sausage.
3. Cranberry Brie Stuffed Turkey
   Add thin slices of brie to the stuffing.
4. Pesto-Stuffed Turkey
   Spread basil pesto under the stuffing.
5. Mushroom Herb Stuffing
   Add sautéed mushrooms + thyme.
6. Gluten-Free Version
   Use GF breadcrumbs.
7. Low-Carb Version
   Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour.
8. Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast
   Wrap the outside in bacon before roasting.
9. Maple Glazed
   Use pure maple syrup + Dijon mustard glaze.
10. Festive Pistachio Stuffing
    Swap nuts for chopped pistachios.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. How do I keep turkey stuffing from falling out?
   Roll tightly and secure well with twine.
2. Can I prep it ahead?
   Yes — assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
3. Can I freeze it before cooking?
   Yes — wrap tightly and freeze unbaked.
4. Do I need a thermometer?
   Strongly recommended for juiciness.
5. Can I use turkey tenderloins?
   Yes — they cook faster.
6. Why is my turkey dry?
   It was overcooked — remove at 160°F.
7. Can I air fry this?
   Yes — 360°F for 25–35 minutes.
8. Can I add gravy?
   Absolutely — classic turkey gravy pairs perfectly.
9. Can I use chicken breast instead?
   Yes — reduce cook time by 15–20 minutes.
10. What can I serve with it?
    Stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, veggies, or salad.

🏁 Conclusion

This Juicy Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast is a gorgeous, festive, and deeply flavorful holiday main dish that transforms simple ingredients into a stunning centerpiece.

Tender turkey, fragrant herb stuffing, pops of cranberry, and a golden glaze make every bite unforgettable. Perfect for smaller Christmas gatherings, elegant dinners, or anytime you want holiday flavors without roasting a whole turkey.

Juicy Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast – Festive, Flavorful & Perfect for a Smaller Holiday Dinner

This Juicy Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast is a holiday masterpiece — tender, succulent turkey rolled around a rich, savory stuffing full of herbs, garlic, cranberries, and buttery breadcrumbs, then roasted to golden perfection. It delivers all the nostalgic Christmas turkey flavor without roasting a whole bird, making it perfect for smaller gatherings, romantic holiday dinners, or an elegant holiday centerpiece that cooks in a fraction of the time. Every slice reveals a beautiful spiral of juicy turkey, festive stuffing, and aromatic herbs — stunning to serve, easy to carve, and even easier to enjoy.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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Ingredients

  

For the Turkey

• 1 large boneless turkey breast 2–3 lbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme

For the Christmas Stuffing

• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ onion finely diced
• 2 celery stalks finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 cup breadcrumbs fresh or panko
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ cup chicken or turkey broth
• Salt & pepper to taste
• For the Glaze Optional but Recommended
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Get Our Best App for Daily Great Recipes 🍽️

Discover warm, delicious, home-style meals — fresh recipes added every day inside Jacky’s Kitchen.

Coming Soon

Equipment

• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Mixing bowls
• Baking dish or roasting pan
• Kitchen twine
• Instant-read thermometer
• Foil

Method

 

Step 1: Butterfly the Turkey Breast

1. Place turkey breast on a cutting board.
2. Use a sharp knife to slice horizontally almost all the way through.
3. Open the turkey like a book.
4. Cover with plastic wrap and pound gently to an even ½–¾ inch thickness.
5. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and thyme.

Step 2: Prepare the Christmas Stuffing

1. In a pan, melt butter.
2. Sauté onion and celery 4–5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
4. Remove from heat and stir in:
5. breadcrumbs
6. cranberries
7. pecans
8. parsley
9. sage
10. thyme
11. broth
12. salt & pepper
13. Stuffing should be moist but not soggy — add broth as needed.
14. Cool slightly.

Step 3: Stuff & Roll the Turkey

1. Spread stuffing evenly over the butterflied turkey, leaving a ½-inch border around edges.
2. Roll tightly from one short end to the other, like a jelly roll.
3. Tie with kitchen twine in 4–5 places to hold the shape.
4. Brush with olive oil or glaze mixture.

Step 4: Roast

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place stuffed turkey breast seam-side down in a baking dish.
3. Roast 45–60 minutes, brushing with glaze halfway through, until the center reaches:
4. Internal temperature: 160°F (71°C)
5. (It will rise to 165°F while resting.)
6. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Step 5: Serve

1. Slice into thick medallions showing off the beautiful spiral stuffing.
2. Serve with:
3. gravy
4. cranberry sauce
5. mashed potatoes
6. roasted veggies

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: 3–4 days
Freezer: 2 months (whole or sliced)

Reheat gently with a splash of broth to keep it juicy.

🥄 Variations

Spinach & Cheese Stuffing
Add spinach + parmesan or mozzarella.

Apple Sage Stuffing
Add diced apples + sautéed sausage.

Cranberry Brie Stuffed Turkey
Add thin slices of brie to the stuffing.

Pesto-Stuffed Turkey
Spread basil pesto under the stuffing.

Mushroom Herb Stuffing
Add sautéed mushrooms + thyme.

Gluten-Free Version
Use GF breadcrumbs.

Low-Carb Version
Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour.

Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast
Wrap the outside in bacon before roasting.

Maple Glazed
Use pure maple syrup + Dijon mustard glaze.

Festive Pistachio Stuffing
Swap nuts for chopped pistachios.

❓ 10 FAQs

How do I keep turkey stuffing from falling out?
Roll tightly and secure well with twine.

Can I prep it ahead?
Yes — assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Can I freeze it before cooking?
Yes — wrap tightly and freeze unbaked.

Do I need a thermometer?
Strongly recommended for juiciness.

Can I use turkey tenderloins?
Yes — they cook faster.

Why is my turkey dry?
It was overcooked — remove at 160°F.

Can I air fry this?
Yes — 360°F for 25–35 minutes.

Can I add gravy?
Absolutely — classic turkey gravy pairs perfectly.

Can I use chicken breast instead?
Yes — reduce cook time by 15–20 minutes.

What can I serve with it?
Stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, veggies, or salad.

🏁 Conclusion

This Juicy Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast is a gorgeous, festive, and deeply flavorful holiday main dish that transforms simple ingredients into a stunning centerpiece.

Tender turkey, fragrant herb stuffing, pops of cranberry, and a golden glaze make every bite unforgettable. Perfect for smaller Christmas gatherings, elegant dinners, or anytime you want holiday flavors without roasting a whole turkey.