While many people only indulge in turkey once a year, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy its flavors and textures more frequently. One way to achieve this is by preparing a sheet pan turkey breast dinner, which offers all the deliciousness of a traditional Thanksgiving meal without the hassle of cooking an entire bird. This simplified approach still allows for a variety of sides and flavors, making it an attractive option for those seeking a quicker and easier solution.
Of course, if you’re particularly fond of dark meat, a more classic turkey dinner might be the way to go. However, for those looking to experience the rich flavors of this dish in a more streamlined format, a sheet pan Thanksgiving dinner with turkey breast is an excellent choice.
If you appreciate the ease and convenience of sheet pan dinners, you may also enjoy our recipes for sheet pan honey garlic pork chops or sheet pan ham. To complete your meal, be sure to include some tasty sides, such as red skin mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a roasted beet salad – or, indeed, a combination of all three!
Why You’ll Love It
Cooking a delicious and traditional Thanksgiving dinner can be as easy as tossing ingredients onto a sheet pan. This versatile meal is a crowd-pleaser because it’s simple to prepare and packed with flavor. Imagine a feast featuring homemade stuffing, savory turkey, green beans, sweet potatoes, and more – all in one convenient dish. The best part? You can customize this recipe to suit your family’s tastes by swapping out ingredients or trying new ones. Maybe you prefer regular potatoes over sweet, or another vegetable instead of green beans. Whatever your preference, this sheet pan Thanksgiving dinner is sure to be a hit.
How to Make Sheet Pan Turkey, Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans
To bring your holiday meal together, start by preparing the bread cubes for the stuffing. If your brioche is fresh, bake it in the oven until it’s dry and crumbly. Alternatively, use stale bread as a time-saving option. Next, focus on the turkey breast. Coat it with a mixture of butter, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper, then cook it in the oven for 45 minutes.While the turkey is cooking, prepare the stuffing by melting butter in a pan and sautéing onions and celery until softened. Add the bread cubes, broth, sage, thyme, and seasonings to the pan, mixing well to combine. Place the prepared stuffing next to the turkey on a baking sheet.For the green beans, toss them with oil and spread them out on the same baking sheet as the turkey and stuffing. Bake for 15 minutes or until tender. Move on to the sweet potatoes by microwaving them until they’re tender, then cutting them in half. Add a touch of luxury by brushing each sweet potato with butter and maple syrup, topping with marshmallows. Place the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet alongside the turkey and stuffing, and bake until the marshmallows are golden brown. Finally, serve your delicious holiday meal.
Substitutions and Variations
Customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences! Want to substitute turkey with chicken? Go ahead! If you’d rather tone down the sweetness of the maple glazed sweet potatoes, simply omit the maple syrup and/or marshmallows. Alternatively, swap out the green beans for Brussels sprouts or another vegetable that suits your palate. The beauty of cooking lies in its versatility – don’t be afraid to experiment and make this dish your own.
How to Serve this Sheet Pan Meal
In the true spirit of convenience, this recipe is designed to be a one-pot wonder. Simply add your preferred condiments and garnishes, such as cranberry sauce for a tangy twist, to elevate the dish. For an added layer of flavor and visual appeal, consider offering a secondary vegetable option like sheet pan roasted carrots – just be sure to have enough sheet pans on hand! Alternatively, gouda cream cheese corn provides a rich and indulgent contrast.
How to Store Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner
When it comes to storing and reheating leftover Thanksgiving meals, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. For short-term storage, leftovers will generally keep for three days when stored in an airtight container within the refrigerator. However, if you’d prefer to extend their shelf life, freezing is also an option that allows for up to 3 months of storage. To make the most of this approach, it’s recommended to freeze leftovers in portion-sized containers, allowing you to easily thaw and reheat only what you need. For reheating, the microwave proves to be a convenient and quick method, enabling you to warm your meal back up with minimal fuss.
Turkey Breast Sheet Pan Dinner FAQs
When it comes to preparing a one-pan Thanksgiving dinner, determining the number of sheet pans required depends on their size. A large pan or two medium-sized ones, with one dedicated to the turkey and the other for accompanying sides, should suffice. Additionally, it’s crucial to use sheet pans with deep rims to prevent juices from spilling over during cooking. This will maintain a tidy oven environment.
For those adhering to low-carb diets, this recipe can be easily modified by omitting the marshmallows and substituting regular maple syrup for sugar-free alternatives. Sweet potatoes could also be replaced with Brussels sprouts or other vegetable options.
To ensure perfectly cooked turkey breast, simply give it 30 minutes of cooking time per pound, followed by a temperature check to confirm it has reached a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sheet Pan Turkey Dinner Recipe
Sheet Pan Turkey Breast Dinner
Indulge in the simplicity of a stress-free Thanksgiving with this delectable sheet pan turkey breast dinner. By skipping the hassle of cooking an entire turkey, you can focus on what really matters – quality time with loved ones. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a total of 1 hour and 50 minutes from start to finish, this recipe is perfect for a crowd of four.
Instructions
With the aroma of roasted turkey and savory sides filling the air, it’s time to bring this delicious feast together. Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 425 degrees F and preparing two large-rimmed baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
First, attend to the turkey. In a small bowl, whisk together softened butter, fragrant sage, pungent garlic, salt, and pepper. Using your fingers, carefully spread this aromatic mixture under the skin of both turkey breasts, taking care not to tear the delicate flesh. Place the turkey onto one of the prepared baking sheets.
Next, turn your attention to the stuffing. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter until it’s just melted. Add diced onions and celery, cooking until they’re tender and fragrant, about 5 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, combine this onion and celery mixture with dried bread crumbs, chicken broth, sage, and thyme leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir until the broth is fully absorbed.
Place the stuffing mixture onto one side of the baking sheet with the turkey breasts, leaving room for the green beans to join in on the fun later.
Now, it’s time to get those green beans involved. Simply place them in a single layer onto the remaining space on the baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
The sweet potatoes are next! Pierce these spuds with a fork and microwave for 10-12 minutes or until they’re tender. Cut each potato lengthwise down the center and prepare them for their starring role. In a small bowl, stir together melted butter and maple syrup, then brush this mixture onto the inside of each potato. Top with marshmallows and place onto the baking sheet in a single layer.
Finally, pop everything into the oven for 15 minutes to allow the turkey to cook and the sides to meld together. When it’s all done, slice that turkey and serve it up with your favorite sides. The aroma of this feast will linger long after the plates are clean!
Notes
Before commencing the cooking process, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and bake the bread cubes for 10-12 minutes, allowing them to dry out efficiently. This step serves as an effective time-saver when preparing this meal. As you cook, consider utilizing one or two sheet pans, with the latter being more practical if you’re working with multiple turkey breasts. Each breast’s size may influence the required cooking time, so keep in mind a general guideline of 30 minutes per pound. To ensure your turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), I recommend employing an instant-read internal thermometer. Additionally, for optimal flavor and texture, opt for high-quality real maple syrup when preparing the sweet potatoes.