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Irresistible Turkey Garlic Herbs Oven

Category: Sophisticated Dinners Ready in 45 Minutes or Less

Let the turkey fillet chill in a mix of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, fresh garlic, rosemary, thyme, and olive oil. Give it at least half an hour in the fridge, but overnight is even better. Sear all over in a hot pan, then pop into a 200 degree oven till it stays juicy inside. Slice it up after a short rest and dig in. This tasty meat is all about bold garlic and herby flavors, and it goes really well with some salad or veggies on the side.

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Created By Mia Laurent
Updated on Thu, 12 Jun 2025 01:22:44 GMT
A platter with grilled steak topped with onions and herbs. Pin
A platter with grilled steak topped with onions and herbs. | chefmiarecipes.com

Baked turkey breast in a garlicky herb marinade means every bite is juicy and full of flavor right from the oven to your plate. If you want something hearty yet light with barely any prep, this is your go-to for an easy crowd-pleaser.

I first tried this one night at a family barbecue, and it’s been a Sunday favorite ever since. When guests come over, it’s easy-going to prep and gets tons of compliments every time.

Ingredients

  • Fresh thyme: for some Mediterranean aroma, toss in the whole sprigs
  • Black pepper: best freshly ground, it perks up everything
  • Olive oil (extra virgin): keeps things juicy and makes all the flavors mingle, go for the good stuff if you can
  • Sea salt: a pinch of fine salt makes a big difference for balanced taste
  • Fresh rosemary: gives the dish a woodsy hint
  • Garlic: freshly pressed works best so the flavor really pops
  • Dijon mustard: brings a tangy layer and some bite
  • Apple cider vinegar: gentle acidity makes the meat nice and tender, and brings out the herbs
  • Brown sugar: adds a touch of sweet that balances everything and a bit of caramel taste
  • Turkey breast: go for butcher-fresh so it tastes even juicier

Step-by-step guide

Let it rest and serve:
Once it’s baked, pull the turkey out and cover it for 10 minutes so the juices settle in. Slice it up and bring to the table on a warm platter.
Bake in the oven:
Slide your skillet with the turkey into the hot oven. Let it cook for 30 to 40 minutes, and check that a thermometer in the thickest part says 74°C.
Sear the meat:
In a hot, oven-ready pan on medium-high, add your last bit of olive oil. Put in the turkey, making sure you don’t crowd the pan (work in batches if you need). Sear each side until you have a golden crust, around three to four minutes per side.
Preheat the oven:
Get your oven hot, set to 200°C (top and bottom heat) so it’s ready when the pan goes in.
Marinate the turkey:
Pop the turkey in the bowl, cover it well with marinade. Cover and let it hang out for at least 30 minutes, but overnight in the fridge gives the best flavor soak.
Mix the marinade:
In a big bowl, stir together vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and a couple tablespoons of olive oil until it’s all nice and blended.
A platter with assorted grilled meats including steak, chicken, and ribs. Pin
A platter with assorted grilled meats including steak, chicken, and ribs. | chefmiarecipes.com

Good to know

  • Leans high on protein, low on fat, and packed with nutrients
  • Great for meal prep and freezer-friendly too
  • Tastes good for lunch or served up for a special dinner

I'm all about loads of fresh rosemary in this dish since its bold smell fits right in with that tender turkey. One year, it was my dad’s birthday meal and now everyone asks for it every time.

Storage tips

  • Once it’s cool, slice the turkey and stash in an airtight box in the fridge for one or two days
  • If you want to keep it even longer, freeze it in portions
  • Let it thaw slowly in the fridge so it doesn’t dry out

Ingredient swaps

  • Oregano or marjoram work if you're out of fresh thyme or rosemary
  • No apple cider vinegar? Sub with white wine vinegar or a splash of lemon juice
  • If you don’t have Dijon, grainy mustard will add a rustic kick
A plate with grilled meat sliced into pieces. Pin
A plate with grilled meat sliced into pieces. | chefmiarecipes.com

Serving ideas

  • Serve up with roasted potatoes, some veggies, or a fresh green salad
  • A spoonful of pan juices over the turkey gives it an extra tasty kick
  • Perfect if you're feeding a group or celebrating, since you can prep everything ahead

Cultural background

Baking poultry is a core part of many family get-togethers in Germany. Marinating keeps lean meats like turkey juicy, not just tasty. People all over have picked up this trick from cooks in different regions.

Common Recipe Questions

→ What's the best marinading time for the turkey?

Let it sit at least 30 minutes, but overnight in the fridge will really boost the flavors.

→ Which herbs work best for this one?

Grab some fresh rosemary and thyme—those mix with the garlic and give the turkey a punchy kick.

→ How do you know when the fillet's done?

Stick a meat thermometer in the thickest part—if it hits 74 degrees Celsius, you're all set and it's juicy.

→ Can I swap the meat for something else?

Absolutely, chicken breast works just as well with this marinade and oven method.

→ What's the trick to keeping the turkey juicy after baking?

Let it relax out of the oven for around 10 minutes so the juices spread and stay inside.

Baked Turkey Garlic Herbs

Juicy baked turkey in a herby garlic marinade turns out super fragrant and tender from the oven.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cooking Time
40 minutes
Total Duration
55 minutes
Created By: Mia Laurent

Recipe Category: Weeknight Elegance

Skill Level: Moderately Challenging

Recipe Cuisine: German

Recipe Yield: 4 Number of Servings (2 turkey breast fillets)

Dietary Categories: Low in Carbohydrates, Gluten-Free Option, Dairy-Free Option

Ingredients You’ll Need

→ Poultry

01 Two turkey breast fillets, about 450g each

→ Sauce Mix

02 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
03 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
04 1 teaspoon sea salt
05 0.5 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
06 0.5 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
07 3 garlic cloves, minced
08 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
09 1.5 tablespoons brown sugar
10 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Steps to Make It

Step 01

Take the pan out of the oven with the turkey. Wait 10 minutes so it can rest, then cut it into slices and enjoy.

Step 02

Pop the pan with turkey into the hot oven. Let it cook for 30–40 minutes. The middle should get to 74°C.

Step 03

Heat up the rest of your oil in a pan that can go in the oven. Get it pretty hot (medium-high is good). Sear each piece of turkey for 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and repeat until both sides are nicely golden.

Step 04

Turn on the oven and set it to 200°C with top and bottom heat.

Step 05

Drop the turkey fillets into the bowl with the sauce, coat them really well. Cover and leave in the fridge for at least half an hour. Overnight is even better.

Step 06

In a big bowl, stir together apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil until everything is blended.

Extra Information

  1. Using fresh herbs and giving the turkey plenty of time to soak up the flavors makes it extra tasty.

Essential Tools

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Oven-safe pan (like cast iron)
  • Oven
  • Meat thermometer
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Allergen Details

Review every item for allergen risks. Reach out to a healthcare expert for any concerns.
  • Has mustard

Nutritional Details (Per Serving)

These figures are for general reference and shouldn’t replace expert medical guidance.
  • Caloric Content: 220
  • Fat Content: 6.5 grams
  • Carbohydrate Content: 5 grams
  • Protein Content: 36 grams