Marinated Turkey Breast

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This Marinated Turkey Breast only takes minutes to prepare and transforms plain turkey breast into a delicious, healthy dish that’s packed with flavor!

I am a huge fan of marinating almost any kind of meat. It’s such a great way to add flavor!

Lean meats like chicken or turkey breast are great for healthy meals, but they tend to be less flavorful than cuts of meat with more fat. That’s where a good marinade makes all the difference.

This marinated turkey breast is a perfect example! The easy marinade is what transforms the turkey from slightly boring to absolutely delicious. It takes less than 10 minutes to throw together, and then you can let the turkey marinate for as little as 20 minutes or as long as 48 hours.

The most important ingredient in the marinade is the balsamic vinegar. The acid not only adds a ton of flavor, but it also tenderizes the turkey breast. It’s a win-win ingredient.

Then, just add a few strong herbs and you have a perfect marinade! 

The flavors in the marinade are strong enough that you don’t need to add any sauces or condiments. This is a big plus when you don’t want to add a ton of calories or sodium just to make your dish tasty.

Ready to see how easily this recipe comes together?

How to make marinated turkey breast

It only takes 3 simple steps to put together this delicious, healthy turkey recipe! It’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Step 1: In a bowl or a large Ziploc, mix the basil, thyme, garlic powder, and pepper with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Step 2: Cut the turkey breast into thumb-sized pieces or strips, then place in the marinade for at least 20-30 minutes.

Step 3: Take the turkey out of the marinade and fry in a skillet for 5-8 minutes at medium heat until fully cooked.

That’s it! You can leave the turkey breast in the marinade for up to 2 days in the fridge, so you could marinate enough for several meals.

But if you are in a hurry, just 20-30 minutes in the marinade will infuse the turkey breast with plenty of flavor. I often throw the marinade together when I come home from work or a workout. After I have showered, the turkey breast is ready to cook!

Other options for your marinade

For this recipe, I like to use Mediterranean herbs like basil, thyme, and garlic. I love the way they compliment the balsamic vinegar and olive oil!

However, there are plenty of variations for the marinade. For example, you could just as easily create a spicy marinade with chili powder or paprika.

The possibilities are endless, so feel free to experiment.

What to eat with this dish

Most sides will go very well with marinated turkey breast, but my favorite is quinoa with bell pepper and coconut oil.

If you’ve never tried adding a little bit of coconut oil to your quinoa or rice, I highly recommend it! It makes the grains super moist and flavorful.

Coconut oil is a very healthy fat source, so adding a little to a lean dish like this makes it even healthier.

Simply cook the quinoa, mix it with finely chopped bell peppers, and add a little coconut oil. The flavors combine beautifully with the turkey!

Storage

Leftover turkey can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Uncooked turkey can sit in the marinade for up to 48 hours. For easy meal prep, you could marinade enough turkey for 2 or 3 meals. When you’re ready to eat, simply take out as much turkey as you want for your meal and let the rest keep marinating.

More healthy turkey recipes

If you’re looking for a few more great turkey recipes, here are some of my favorites:

• Healthy Turkey Meatballs
• Turkey Patties with Avocado
• Turkey Chili

For even more healthy, delicious recipe inspiration, check out my roundup of the best healthy diabetic chicken recipes!

When you’ve tried this dish, please don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!