Roast Turkey Breast With Fig-Olive Tapenade

Updated May 3, 2024

Roast Turkey Breast With Fig-Olive Tapenade
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
1 hour 45 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes to 1 hour
Rating
5(169)
Comments
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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings
  • ½cup dried figs, trimmed
  • ½cup pitted kalamata olives
  • 1teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2small garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
  • 2anchovy fillets
  • ¼cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1boneless, skinless turkey breast, 2 to 2½ pounds
  • ½teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • ½teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Mayonnaise, for serving, optional
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

375 calories; 22 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 12 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 9 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 35 grams protein; 385 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the figs in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit for 5 minutes, then drain and coarsely chop. In a food processor, combine the figs, olives, lemon juice, garlic and anchovies. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the oil, and process until the mixture becomes a paste.

  2. Step 2

    If the breast is tied up, untie it and pat dry; season with salt and pepper. If your turkey breast has not already been pounded, pound it until ¾-inch-thick to increase the surface area. Coat it with half the paste (reserve the remaining paste for serving). Roll up the turkey and secure it with kitchen twine. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 24 hours, covered, in the refrigerator.

  3. Step 3

    When you are ready to cook, heat the oven to 375 degrees. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Roast, turning once halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the turkey reads 160 degrees, 45 minutes to 1 hour (it will continue to cook as it cools). Let stand 10 minutes before untying and slicing. Serve with remaining tapenade and mayonnaise on the side.

Ratings

5 out of 5
169 user ratings
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Comments

For those (like myself) who don’t go by cups but like to measure, 1/2 cup dried figs = c. 100 grams and 1/2 cup olives (before pitting) = 100 grams

My attempt at making roulade failed miserably so I gave it up entirely for this Thanksgiving. However, I made the tapenade several times and each time it got rave reviews. People couldn’t get enough of that stuff. I increased the figs a bit and still delicious. Best with toasted bread and goat cheese.

Anchovies in oil will keep in the refrigerator until the cows come home. Not really any reason to freeze. John

Made exactly as recipe, except did not have figs, used fig spread from trader Joes… this turkey is moist, full of amazing flavour. Presentation is beautiful. I browned both prepared turkey rolls in cast iron pan added small potatoes around the meat, baked for the hour. 🛶

Could this be made in advance and frozen?

This was a last minute addition the the Christmas menu when I found out that I had several vegetarians in the group. I cooked it as instructed but for subbing dried apricots for the figs (as I had those on hand) but the result was still fantastic. I was worried it would be too salty with all those olives but no, it was very tasty. Next time I might ask the butcher to pound for me as I'd like it thinner but I just got lazy and didn't pound as thin as I should have. A keeper.

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