Turkey Roulade is the main star of Thanksgiving dinner on my table. It’s a versatile and elegant alternative to traditional whole turkey dishes. The juicy, savory flavor of the dish never stops amazing me every year.
Contents
Turkey Roulade recipe
Turkey Roulade is a dish made from boneless turkey breast. The dish uses flattened turkey breast and rolls it with a flavorful filling. A roulade is a rolled dish that can be sweet or savory.
For Turkey Roulade, the filling typically includes ingredients like vegetables, herbs, cheese, or sausage. Other options like bread crumbs, pistachios, or dried cranberries contribute texture and sweetness.

The taste of this turkey dish is mild and rich. It is seasoned well and tastes juicy. The roulade showcases crispy skin and a moist interior. All of these factors make the Turkey Roulade a popular choice for festive occasions.
The dish pairs beautifully with many sides like cranberry sauce and turkey gravy. For vegetables, options include candied glazed carrots, green beans with pearl onions, roasted Brussels sprouts, lemon-pepper green beans, and braised celery.
Perfect starchy companions are mashed potatoes, basmati rice, scalloped potatoes, and cheddar corn biscuits. To complete the meal, a panzanella salad or a simple mixed green salad adds a refreshing, crunchy contrast.
You can enjoy this turkey dish with cranberry cocktail or apple cider option, as well as mulled wine. Wines like Sauvignon Blanc or light-bodied reds like Pinot Noir are also great options. Non-alcoholic options include sparkling water with citrus to herbal iced tea and tart cranberry juice.
Here’s how to make the Turkey Roulade:

Turkey Roulade
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1 boneless turkey breast 2–3 lbs
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Butcher’s twine for tying the roulade
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Butterfly the turkey breast by slicing it horizontally without cutting all the way through. Open it like a book and pound it gently to an even thickness.
- In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, mix cooked spinach, cranberries, cheese, and nuts.
- Spread the filling evenly over the turkey breast. Roll it tightly, starting from one end, and secure with butcher’s twine at 1-2 inch intervals.
- Rub the roulade with the remaining olive oil, then sprinkle thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper evenly.
- Place on a roasting rack in a baking dish and roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice into medallions and serve.
Variations
Here are different variations of Turkey Roulades:
- Chestnut and Sausage Stuffing is filled with chestnuts and sausage. It is then roasted until golden brown. Serve it with pan-dripping gravy for a delicious Thanksgiving centerpiece.
- Sous Vide Turkey Roulade uses sous vide cooking to ensure a tender and juicy turkey. This method allows for precise temperature control.
- Slow Roasted Sage and Rosemary Version is seasoned with a herb paste of sage and rosemary. It captures traditional holiday tastes with a moist texture.
- Version with 5-Minute Stuffing uses turkey cutlets filled with a quick stuffing mix. It’s an easy-to-make option that still delivers on presentation and taste.
- Cajun-Spiced Turkey Roulade incorporates Cajun spices into the filling. It pairs well with traditional sides like cornbread or collard greens.
- Mediterranean Style features ground turkey mixed with feta cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. It offers a fresh take on the traditional roulade.