Dutch oven turkey: This is the easiest, quickest way of roasting a whole turkey. Incredibly moist and flavorful meat, crispy skin, everything you could wish for in a turkey.
Cooking turkey in a Dutch oven is truly the quickest, most delicious way I found when it comes to cooking a whole turkey. Roasting it in the oven is fine; if you brine and butter the bird well, it will be a delight.
But the Dutch oven makes it even better. And most of all, quicker! It takes 1 ½ hours to cook a 4 kg/ 9 lbs turkey, and that is really not much compared to the time it would need in the oven and without the brining. The shorter cooking time is determined not only by the Dutch oven but by the brine as well.
And the best thing about this Dutch oven turkey? There is not one dry piece of meat on it. Everything is moist and full of flavor. For smaller gatherings, you could also try the Dutch Oven Turkey Breast, the Slow Cooker Turkey Legs (with Gravy), or the Slow Cooker Turkey.[feast_advanced_jump_to]
Cooking a whole turkey is often seen as the centerpiece of a traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. However, not everyone has an oven big enough to accommodate a large bird. Is it possible to cook a turkey on a stovetop? The short answer is yes, with a few modifications and chef tips to ensure moist, flavorful meat.
Why Cook a Turkey on the Stove?
There are several reasons you may want to cook your holiday turkey on the stovetop rather than in the oven
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Small oven Many recreational vehicles campers boats, and tiny homes have a small oven without the capacity to fit a 10+ pound turkey.
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No oven: Some homes lack a functioning oven altogether. Others may have an oven that broke right before the holiday.
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Change of pace: Stovetop turkey can provide a fun change of pace from the usual roasted bird.
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Moist meat Braising poaching or pressure cooking often yields more moist turkey meat than roasting.
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More options: The stovetop allows you to braise, poach, sauté, steam, or pressure cook the turkey.
Tips for Preparing Stovetop Turkey
Cooking turkey on the stove requires a few modifications from the conventional roasting method. Here are some tips:
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Cut up the turkey: Leave the bird whole for oven roasting. For the stove, cut turkey into parts. This allows for more even cooking.
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Pat dry: Pat turkey parts dry before searing to help browning.
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Sear the skin: Browning the skin adds flavor. Sauté turkey pieces skin-side down first.
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Use a thermometer: Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Add liquid: Poaching, braising, and steaming all require ample cooking liquid.
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Simmer gently: Keep stovetop turkey at a gentle bubble for tenderest meat.
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Let rest: Allow turkey to rest at least 10 minutes before carving.
7 Stovetop Turkey Cooking Methods
From poaching to pressure cooking, here are 7 different ways to cook turkey without an oven:
1. Sautéed Turkey
- Best for small turkey cutlets or boneless breasts
- Cook in olive oil or butter over medium heat
- Browning adds flavor
- Cook to 165°F internal temperature
2. Braised Turkey
- Brown turkey pieces first for flavor
- Cook slowly immersed in small amount of liquid
- Moist heat yields tender, succulent meat
- Make gravy from braising liquid
3. Poached Turkey
- Simmer turkey breast in seasoned liquid like broth or wine
- Very gentle cooking method
- Delicate texture but can lack flavor
- Poaching liquid can be reduced for sauce
4. Steamed Turkey
- Place turkey breast in steamer basket over simmering water
- Turkey steams gently until cooked through
- Flavor with herbs and aromatics in cooking liquid
- Healthy cooking method
5. Pressure Cooked Turkey
- Entire turkey breast can be cooked in a pressure cooker
- Very fast cooking time – about 1/3 of traditional roasting
- Must follow manufacturer’s instructions
- Moist, tender meat
6. Deep Fried Turkey
- Submerge turkey in 350°F hot oil
- Requires special equipment and safety precautions
- Cooks very quickly with crispy skin
- Oil provides unique flavor
7. Smoked Turkey
- Cook slowly over indirect heat from charcoal and wood
- Imparts delicious smoky flavor to meat
- Can be done on a grill with some modifications
- Takes 4+ hours for full turkey
Yes, you can cook a moist, delicious turkey on the stovetop! While roasted turkey may still reign at many holiday dinners, cooking turkey parts using braising, poaching, searing, or pressure cooking can be an excellent alternative for RVs, boats, tiny homes, or any small kitchen. With proper preparation and technique, stove-cooked turkey can turn out just as tasty as the oven-roasted bird. Just allow ample time and keep an eye on the temperature with a meat thermometer. Get creative with your stovetop turkey this holiday season!
How to dry brine it?
- Mix all the ingredients for the dry brine. (1)
- Pat dry with kitchen paper and remove the neck and gizzards.
- Dont wash it! It is unnecessary and unrecommended by the FDA: “Do not rinse raw meat and poultry before cooking. Washing these foods makes it more likely for bacteria to spread to areas around the sink and countertops.”
- Rub it with the dry brine all over. Use your hands and massage them well, dont forget to go under the wings as well. (2)
- Cut three large pieces of cling film/plastic foil and place them on the working surface. Place the turkey on top and wrap it really well with it. You might need an extra piece of cling film to make sure that everything is covered. (3)
- Place in a suitable dish and refrigerate for 24 hours and up to 48.
How to cook a turkey in the Dutch oven?
- In the refrigerator, it will take between 2 and 3 days for a turkey of this size. I always dry brine it when it is partially thawed, after about 1 ½ days in the fridge.
Stove top Turkey Recipe using Saladmaster
FAQ
Can you cook a turkey without an oven?
How long does turkey take to cook on the stove?
Can you cook a turkey on top of a wood stove?
Can you cook a whole Turkey on the stove?
Yes, you can cook a whole turkey on the stove, but it requires a large pot or Dutch oven that can accommodate the turkey. Do I need to defrost the turkey before cooking it on the stove? It is recommended to defrost the turkey completely before cooking it on the stove. This ensures that it cooks evenly and reduces the risk of bacterial growth.
How long does it take to cook a Turkey on the stove?
The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the turkey and the heat setting on your stove. As a general guideline, it typically takes around 20-25 minutes per pound of turkey on medium heat. Can I baste the turkey while cooking it on the stove?
Can you cook a turkey breast on the stove?
Cooking on the stove requires the skillet to be covered after searing the turkey breast. This helps the juices from the stock absorb into the turkey breast resulting in moist, succulent and tender turkey breast. How do I get my turkey to brown? Today’s recipe has guaranteed browning and crispy skin on our turkey.
How do I choose the right Turkey for stovetop cooking?
Before you start cooking, make sure to choose the right turkey for stove-top cooking. A smaller turkey, around 10-12 pounds, is ideal for stovetop cooking as it will cook more evenly and thoroughly. Make sure the turkey is fully thawed before beginning the cooking process.