Roast Turkey Crown, an excellent recipe for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Juicy, melting in your mouth, and a nice crispy skin, this turkey crown is a great option if you are not cooking for a large number of people, and dont need a whole turkey. Plus, its so easy to make, and ready in about 2 hours.
Its that time of the year when we start putting together the best menus for the most awaiting holidays of the year: Thanksgiving and Christmas. And roast turkey is the centrepiece on both occasions.
If you are hosting a big party, or have a large family, then whole roast turkey is the answer. Otherwise, this crown turkey is the next best thing. Or, some moist turkey drumsticks.
Plus, less leftovers. Not that I mind leftovers, I can think of lots of leftover recipes that are absolutely fabulous, but there is really no point in buying a huge beast for just a few people.
Not to mention that the cooking time probably doubles or triples. So, less hassle, and less money spent too. Or, another option, a whole roast chicken, I have some good tips for it too.
So, how do we cook a turkey crown? Popping it in the oven and hoping for the best wont really work, so Ill tell you a few tricks how to get the best roast every single time.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Cooking a delicious, moist turkey crown is easier than you think! With just a few simple steps, you can have a beautiful golden brown turkey crown ready to serve as the centerpiece of your holiday table. Follow this step-by-step guide for foolproof results.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Turkey crown (bone-in, breast with wings attached)
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh herbs like thyme, sage, and rosemary (optional)
Prep the Turkey Crown
- Take the turkey out of the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking. This helps it cook more evenly.
- Pat the skin dry with paper towels. Make sure the turkey is as dry as possible.
- Loosen the skin from the breast meat gently with your fingers, without totally detaching it.
- Rub olive oil or melted butter under the skin. This helps keep the meat juicy and tender.
- Season generously under and on top of the skin with salt and pepper. Herbs like thyme, sage, and rosemary also pair nicely with turkey.
- Tuck the wings under the crown and tie the legs together with kitchen string. This helps the turkey hold its shape.
Roast the Turkey Crown
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Place the seasoned turkey crown on a rack in a roasting pan, breast side up. The rack elevates the turkey above the pan drippings, keeping the skin from getting soggy.
- Roast for 15 minutes per 1 lb (450g) of turkey. So a 6 lb (2.7 kg) crown would roast for about 90 minutes total.
- After the first 45 minutes, tent the breast loosely with aluminum foil to prevent overcooking. Let the turkey crown continue roasting until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast reads 70°C (160°F).
- Baste the turkey with the pan juices every 30 minutes to keep it nice and moist.
Finish with a Rest
- When the turkey crown reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the oven.
- Let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute through the meat.
- Transfer the turkey crown to a cutting board and snip off the kitchen string. Carefully slice into thick, juicy pieces.
Gravy Time
While the turkey rests, make gravy. Here’s a simple method
- Pour or spoon off most of the drippings from the roasting pan, leaving behind just the browned bits and juices.
- Place the pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a few tablespoons of flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually pour in chicken or turkey stock while whisking. Scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve if desired. Season with salt and pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Your tender, juicy turkey crown makes the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table served with:
- Fluffy mashed potatoes or brown butter sage stuffing
- Roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon
- Cranberry sauce
- Dinner rolls and butter
- Pumpkin or pecan pie for dessert
With these simple tips, you can have a show-stopping turkey crown ready for your next special occasion Let the savory aroma and golden brown skin whet everyone’s appetite as you carry the turkey to the table Then slice into the juicy meat and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
How to cook a turkey crown
Set at a temperature of 190 degrees Celsius (374 Fahrenheit), a turkey crown that has less than 4 kilos (8.8 pounds) is best cooked for 20 minutes per kg plus 70 minutes. If over 4kg, then its 20 minutes per kg plus 90 minutes. Easy, right?
My turkey crown weighted about 2.2 kg, so I cooked it for about 2 hours (20+20+70+10 more minutes, to be on the safe side). I think it would have been fine cooked only for 1 h 50 minutes, but better safe than sorry, right?
Once its seasoned, cover the turkey breast with kitchen foil and roast it for one hour, then remove the foil, baste it well, and return to the oven for 25 minutes. Baste again, then leave to roast for a further 25 minutes – by now the skin is nice and crispy, and the meat is tender.
What is a turkey crown
The first question should probably be what exactly is a turkey crown. Well, its the turkey breast still attached to the bone with the legs and wings removed. The cooked meat is white and succulent, and so delicious.
How to cook a turkey crown
FAQ
How do you cook a turkey crown so it is moist?
Should you cover a turkey crown in foil when cooking?
How long to cook a 6lb turkey crown?
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2kg (4lb 7oz)
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1hr 50mins
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2.5kg (5lb 8oz)
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2hrs
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3kg (6lb 10oz)
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2hrs 10mins
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3.5kg (7lb 11oz)
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2hrs 20mins
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4kg (8lb 13oz)
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2hrs 50mins
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