Strawberry Basil Roasted Turkey Recipe (2024)

Published November 6, 2019. Last updated September 20, 2020 by Lauren Vavala Harris

Strawberry Basil Roasted Turkey is definitely not the same ole turkey recipe! This fruit and turkey pairing is sweet and savory. It’s perfect for any night of the week or special occasions and holidays.

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I love cooking for Thanksgiving. Even if we plan to go to a relative’s house on the actual holiday, I will still make a full dinner with all the fixings on a different day of the week.

For years, I always made my turkey with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. I still makeRosemary-Thyme Turkey Cutlets regularly for weeknight dinners, but have upped my Thanksgiving turkey game a bit.

One of my favorite food combinations is pairing fruit with meat. Cranberry and turkey are a classic combination, and for good reason, but I wanted to do something a little different.

Strawberry and basil pair so well together and turkey is the perfect savory base.

Why This Recipe Works

• Strawberry and basil taste amazing together. Turkey pairs well with fruits and chutneys so this is the perfect combination of flavors!
• It’s different and unique, but simple to make. Sometimes change is good!
• This turkey recipe can be enjoyed any night of the week. You can also double or triple the recipe if you’re making a much larger turkey for the holidays.

How to Make Strawberry Basil Roasted Turkey

Making the turkey is incredibly easy. I use a 3-pound turkey breast for this recipe. If you’re making a whole turkey I would recommend doubling or tripling the ingredients depending on the size.

Prep!

Rinse your turkey and pat dry with paper towels.

Create!

Evenly sprinkle on the salt and pepper.

Warm the strawberry jam in a small saucepan over medium heat until it thins out. This makes it much easier to spread onto the turkey.

Using a silicone brush, cover the turkey in the warm jam.

Sprinkle on the chopped fresh basil.

Roast according to the package directions or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Present!

You can warm some additional jam to drizzle onto the turkey after it is sliced and/or plated. Garnish with extra fresh basil, if desired.

Tips and Techniques for the Best Strawberry Basil Roasted Turkey

• If you are using a boneless turkey breast, as I have, be sure to leave the netting on until after it is finished roasting. The turkey may fall apart while baking if you remove it ahead of time.
• Warm the strawberry jam to make it much easier to spread evenly onto the turkey.
• Store leftover turkey in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.

FAQ’s

• At what temperature is turkey done cooking? The internal temperature of turkey should reach 165°F in the center when measured with a food thermometer.
• How long should a turkey rest before slicing? You should let your turkey rest about 20 minutes before slicing it to allow the juices to disperse more evenly.
• Can you freeze cooked turkey? Yes, absolutely! Turkey freezes and reheats very well. Be sure to freeze turkey in an air-tight container or in freezer bags without the bones. Use within 3 months for the best results.

More Turkey Recipes to Try

• Healthy Turkey Quinoa Bowls
• Rosemary Apricot Glazed Turkey
• Italian Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

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This recipe was originally published November 17, 2016. It was updated with new images, more thorough instructions, tips, techniques, and FAQ’s in November 2019.