Julia Koch
Looking for a Christmas main course that steals the spotlight without needing an entire bird? This Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast is a show-stopping alternative. Juicy, golden roasted turkey breast gets an elegant lift from a savory filling of wilted spinach, crisp pancetta, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbed cheese—a centerpiece worthy of your holiday table.
Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or complementing your Christmas roast spread, this rolled and stuffed turkey breast delivers visual appeal and big festive flavor. It’s surprisingly simple to prepare and slices beautifully for a dramatic presentation. Serve it with roasted root vegetables or a creamy potato side, and you’re golden.
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
To make this stuffed turkey breast easy and stress-free, you’ll want to line up your tools ahead of time:
- Sharp Chef’s Knife & Boning Knife: Essential for butterflying the turkey breast cleanly. A sharp blade gives you control and keeps the meat intact.
- Plastic Wrap & Meat Mallet: After butterflying, use plastic wrap to cover the meat and a mallet to pound it evenly. This ensures uniform thickness for easy rolling and even cooking.
- Skillet: You’ll need this to sauté the stuffing ingredients, especially the pancetta and spinach, before rolling.
- Kitchen Twine: Crucial for tying the rolled turkey breast securely so it maintains shape while roasting.
- Roasting Pan or Cast Iron Skillet: Use a sturdy oven-safe pan for roasting the turkey breast evenly.
- Meat Thermometer: To avoid guessing, use a thermometer to pull the turkey at exactly 165°F internal temp for perfect juiciness.
Gathering these tools in advance will help you stay focused and festive while prepping. Trust the process—you’ll be carving into something special by dinner.
Ingredients for the Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a flavorful role in balancing richness with brightness. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Boneless Skinless Turkey Breast: The star of the show. It gets butterflied and rolled, locking in flavor and moisture.
- Pancetta (or Bacon): Adds smoky-salty depth to the stuffing. It crisps up beautifully and infuses the filling with savoriness.
- Baby Spinach: Lightly wilted, this adds a fresh, earthy note and vibrant color contrast.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Their tangy-sweet intensity cuts through the richness and adds holiday-red flecks to the spiral.
- Garlic: A must for depth and aroma. Minced and sautéed for mellow richness.
- Cream Cheese (or Boursin Herb Cheese): Creamy and tangy, it binds the stuffing together with a luscious texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Offers nutty, salty complexity that complements the turkey perfectly.
- Fresh Thyme & Parsley: These herbs brighten the filling and reinforce holiday aromatics.
- Olive Oil: Used to sear and roast the rolled turkey for a golden, flavorful crust.
- Salt & Pepper: Simple seasoning that enhances every component.
How To Make the Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast
Step 1: Butterfly and Flatten the Turkey
Place the turkey breast on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to butterfly it, slicing horizontally without cutting all the way through. Open it like a book. Cover with plastic wrap and gently pound until even.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the pancetta until crisp. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant. Toss in spinach and cook until wilted. Transfer mixture to a bowl and mix with cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, thyme, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Fill and Roll
Spread the filling evenly over the turkey breast, leaving a small border. Carefully roll it up tightly, jelly-roll style, and secure with kitchen twine.
Step 4: Sear and Roast
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the rolled turkey on all sides until golden. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 40–50 minutes or until internal temperature hits 165°F.
Step 5: Rest and Slice
Let the turkey rest for 10 minutes before slicing into beautiful spirals. Garnish with extra herbs for a festive touch.
How to Serve and Store This Holiday Showstopper
Serve this Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast sliced into generous medallions to showcase the vibrant stuffing swirl. It’s wonderful arranged on a platter with roasted rosemary potatoes or maple-glazed carrots. A drizzle of turkey pan juices or light gravy adds an extra layer of richness. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for a festive touch.
Leftovers keep beautifully. Store any extra slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a covered dish at 300°F to keep the turkey moist. You can also freeze portions for up to 2 months—wrap them tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep the turkey breast from drying out?
Pounding the turkey to an even thickness and not overcooking are key. Use a meat thermometer and pull it at 165°F. Resting the turkey after roasting also helps retain juices.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the rolled and stuffed turkey breast up to 1 day in advance. Wrap it tightly and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before searing and roasting.
Can I use a different cheese?
Absolutely. While cream cheese and Boursin are great for binding, goat cheese or ricotta also work for a tangier or lighter version.
What can I use instead of pancetta?
Bacon is a fine substitute. For a pork-free version, try finely chopped mushrooms sautéed with smoked paprika.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your cheese and pancetta brands to be sure.
What sides pair well with this dish?
Classic holiday sides like garlic mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, or cranberry-orange relish all complement the flavors beautifully.
Want More Holiday Main Course Ideas?
If you love this Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast, you’ll definitely want to explore these festive main dish favorites too. For hearty comfort with a kick, check out the Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Recipe that’s both spicy and crowd-pleasing. Or keep it traditional with the Delicious Beef Bowtie Pasta, perfect for a cozy winter dinner.
For something equally satisfying but more casual, try the Creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese. It’s a side or a main depending on your mood. You could also go bold with the Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni, a creamy, flavor-packed pasta ideal for cold nights.
Need a hearty soup to start off your holiday feast? The Hearty Tuscan Bean Soup brings warmth and depth with every spoonful—perfect as a prelude to your turkey centerpiece.
Pin and Tell Me How Yours Turned Out
You can save this to your holiday boards for next time. Just tap the Pin button.
If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you stick with pancetta or try the mushroom twist? Did you go Boursin or full-on goat cheese? Drop a comment below. I’m always curious how festive tables come together.
For more cozy Christmas recipes and new spins on classics, follow me on Pinterest @LadyPlate where I post daily holiday-worthy dishes.
Best Christmas Stuffed Turkey Breast
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
Description
A festive and elegant main dish, this stuffed turkey breast is rolled with pancetta, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbed cheese. Perfect for Christmas dinner, it slices beautifully and tastes as good as it looks. Juicy, savory, and full of color—this roast makes an unforgettable holiday centerpiece.
Ingredients
1 boneless skinless turkey breast
4 oz pancetta or bacon
3 cups baby spinach
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
5 oz cream cheese or Boursin herb cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Butterfly the turkey breast by slicing it horizontally, without cutting all the way through. Open it like a book.
2. Cover the turkey with plastic wrap and gently pound it to an even thickness using a meat mallet.
3. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the pancetta until crisp.
4. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat.
6. In a bowl, mix the spinach mixture with cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, thyme, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Spread the filling over the turkey breast, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
8. Roll the turkey up tightly, jelly-roll style. Tie with kitchen twine to secure.
9. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
10. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the rolled turkey on all sides until golden.
11. Transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast for 40–50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
12. Let the turkey rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
13. Slice into medallions and serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs.
Notes
For best slicing, let the turkey rest fully before cutting into medallions.
Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking—165°F is your magic number.
If using goat cheese, expect a tangier flavor profile. Boursin is milder and more herbal.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Christmas turkey, stuffed turkey breast, holiday dinner
