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Baked Turkey Breast with Apple Quinoa Stuffing

This Baked Turkey Breast with Apple Quinoa Stuffing is a wholesome and flavourful meal perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners. Packed with lean protein, fibre-rich quinoa, and naturally sweet butternut squash, it’s a gluten-free and dairy-free dish that aligns with both heart-healthy and Mediterranean diets, delivering both nutrition and taste in every bite.
Servings: 4
Calories: 377.1kcal
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Turkey Breast:

  • 1.5 lbs turkey breast boneless, skinless (or 2.5lbs bone-in turkey breast)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp thyme dried
  • ½ tsp paprika smoked
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper

For the Apple Quinoa Stuffing

  • ¼ cup quinoa rinsed
  • ½ cups chicken broth low-sodium or vegetable broth
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 shallot small, finely diced
  • 1 ½ cup butternut squash diced small
  • 1 cup apple diced, (Granny Smith or HoneyCrisp)
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ tsp thyme dried
  • ½ tsp sage dried or 1 tsp fresh sage, finely chopped
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon ground
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • ¼ cup walnut chopped
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Large skillet
  • Baking sheet

Instructions

  • Combine quinoa and broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
    ¼ cup quinoa, ½ cups chicken broth

Prepare the Stuffing:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
    1 tbsp olive oil, 1 shallot
  • Add the diced butternut squash and sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to soften.
    1 ½ cup butternut squash
  • Stir in the apple, garlic, dried thyme, dried sage, and cinnamon, and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
    1 cup apple, 1 clove garlic, ½ tsp thyme, ½ tsp sage, ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • Add the cooked quinoa, apple cider vinegar, lemon zest, and walnuts. Mix well and cook for 1–2 minutes to combine flavours.
    1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp lemon zest, ¼ cup walnut
  • Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
    ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper

Prepare the Turkey Breast:

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small dish, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, thyme, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Use a basting brush to rub the spice mixture evenly on both sides of the turkey breasts.
    1.5 lbs turkey breast, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp thyme, ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
  • Place the turkey breasts on a baking sheet. If desired, bake the stuffing in a greased dish alongside the turkey. Roast the turkey for 25–30 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If you are baking the stuffing as well, cover with foil for the first 10-15 minutes and then remove.
  • Let the turkey rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with 2/3 cup of the apple quinoa stuffing on the side and serve with your choice of veggies.

Cooking Tips

  • Quinoa Prep: Rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove any bitterness from the natural saponins on its surface.
  • Flavour Boost: Toast the walnuts before mixing them into the stuffing for a deeper nutty flavour.
  • Stuffing Texture: Dice the butternut squash and apples uniformly for even cooking and a balanced texture.
  • Nut-Free Option: Omit the walnuts or replace them with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or toasted pine nuts for a similar crunch.
  • Turkey Replacement: For a vegetarian option, replace turkey with roasted portobello mushrooms or stuffed bell peppers. Both provide fibre and are low in carbs.
  • Quinoa Alternatives: Stick to other whole grains with a low glycemic index, such as wild rice, bulgur, or barley.
  • Meal Prep: Prepare the quinoa stuffing a day in advance to save time and let the flavours meld.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Baked Turkey Breast with Apple Quinoa Stuffing
Serving Size
 
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
377.1
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
15.6
g
24
%
Saturated Fat
 
2.1
g
13
%
Trans Fat
 
0.02
g
Cholesterol
 
91.9
mg
31
%
Sodium
 
800.4
mg
35
%
Potassium
 
799
mg
23
%
Carbohydrates
 
21.2
g
7
%
Fiber
 
3.7
g
15
%
Sugar
 
5.3
g
6
%
Protein
 
40.9
g
82
%
Vitamin C
 
15.2
mg
18
%
Vitamin D
 
0.2
µg
1
%
Calcium
 
77.4
mg
8
%
Iron
 
2.5
mg
14
%
Magnesium
 
99.6
mg
25
%
Zinc
 
3
mg
20
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.