Cooking a turkey upside down sounds like something from the flipped world in Stranger Things, but it’s actually a popular method for Thanksgiving dinner. The idea is that by roasting your bird breast side down, it’s further away from the heat source and the juices from the dark meat can trickle down to the white meat, resulting in juicier white meat that won’t dry out. Then you flip the turkey right side up so the skin on the breast can crisp up in the oven.
So should you cook a turkey upside down? While this hack seems like a miracle cure for a dry bird, our Test Kitchen experts say its, in fact, too good to be true. It can be unsafe, ruin the look of your bird and is not the best way to roast a turkey. With everything you have to juggle on T-Day — from the classic side dishes to the Thanksgiving desserts to the Thanksgiving table setting, the last thing you want to worry about is botching the main event: your Thanksgiving turkey.
Read on to find out why cooking a turkey upside down is problematic, and to learn our tried-and-true tip for preparing the perfect turkey that’s the best of both worlds: crisp, golden skin and supremely juicy meat. With our experts to guide you through this holiday feast, you can say “bye-bye” to Turkey Day stress!
Cooking a juicy, flavorful turkey breast for your holiday meal can seem like a daunting task. One of the most common questions home cooks have is whether to roast the turkey breast up or down in the pan. Both methods have their pros and cons in terms of ensuring even cooking, crispy skin, and keeping the meat moist. Follow this guide to learn how to cook a turkey breast up or down and achieve the best results.
An Overview of Cooking Turkey Breast Up vs. Down
Roasting a turkey breast with the skin side facing up or down impacts factors like carryover cooking, moisture retention, skin texture, and more Here’s a quick rundown of how the turkey cooks differently for each method
Cooking Turkey Breast Up
- Allows fat and juices to baste the breast meat
- Promotes even browning and crisping of the skin
- Exposes breast to direct heat, which can lead to drying out
- Requires less time due to increased exposure to heat
Cooking Turkey Breast Down
- Keeps breast moist by sealing in juices
- Insulates breast and prevents overcooking
- Yields soft, moist skin rather than crispy
- Requires more time due to less direct heat exposure
Neither method is inherently “right” or “wrong.” Keep reading for tips on executing both techniques.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Roasting Turkey Breast Up
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked turkey breast with crisp golden brown skin
Ingredients:
- 1 whole bone-in turkey breast (4-7 lbs)
- Olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, etc.)
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F.
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Rinse the turkey breast and pat it completely dry with paper towels.
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Rub the skin all over with olive oil or butter and generously season with salt and pepper. You can also rub fresh herbs like chopped rosemary or thyme under the skin for extra flavor.
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Place the breast skin side up on a roasting rack in a pan. Tuck the wings under to hold them in place.
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Roast for 15-20 minutes per pound, until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F.
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Let rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for Crispy Skin
For ultra crispy skin, rub the skin with baking powder before roasting. This helps dehydrate the skin so it gets extra crispy in the oven. Avoid tenting the turkey with foil, as this will make the skin soggy.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Roasting Turkey Breast Down
Roasting the turkey breast upside down is a great way to keep the meat exceptionally moist and juicy.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole bone-in turkey breast (4-7 lbs)
- Olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, etc.)
- Chicken or turkey stock
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 325°F.
-
Rinse the turkey breast and pat it completely dry.
-
Rub the skin all over with oil or butter and season generously with salt and pepper.
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Place the breast skin side DOWN in a roasting pan. Pour 1 cup chicken or turkey stock in the bottom of the pan.
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Roast for 18-22 minutes per pound until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Carefully flip the breast skin side up during the last 15-30 minutes to crisp the skin.
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Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for Super Juicy Meat
Cooking the breast upside down allows all the juices to baste the meat as it cooks. Tenting foil over the roasting pan will further seal in moisture. The turkey may cook slightly slower than when roasted breast side up.
Perfectly Cook a Turkey Breast in the Oven Every Time
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When cooking a turkey breast up, remember to prop up the wings to prevent overcooking. Plan for 15-20 minutes per pound at 350°F.
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Roasting the breast down will keep it incredibly moist and tender. Allow 18-22 minutes per pound at a lower 325°F oven temp.
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Regardless of which direction you cook it, always let the turkey rest before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness; turkey is safely cooked at 165°F.
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For a touch of richness and flavor, try rubbing the skin with a compound butter made with fresh herbs before roasting.
With these easy tips and techniques, you’ll be able to serve your family perfectly cooked, juicy turkey breast with crisp skin this holiday season. Experiment with roasting up or down to find your favorite method.
Frequency of Entities:
turkey breast: 23
skin: 10
cook: 8
roast: 7
juicy: 5
down: 5
up: 5
flavor: 4
oven: 4
meat: 4
moist: 3
crispy: 3
salt: 3
pepper: 3
cooking: 3
breast: 3
Flipping your turkey can take away from your unveiling.
When cooking turkey upside down, we found that the roasting rack can leave unsightly marks and indents on the turkeys breast, which is the display side of the bird. Or worse, you could tear the skin during the flipping process.
For the most beautiful bird, stick to roasting right-side up. And if youre looking for some inspo, check out our ultimate Thanksgiving turkey recipes, for everything from a fried bird to a spice-roasted breast.
Why you should not cook your turkey upside down
When roasting a turkey, the oven is likely between 375℉ and 400℉. This means theres a hot roasting rack sitting inside a hot roasting pan holding a hot upside-down turkey, which is 12 to 14 lbs.
When youre ready to flip the bird, do you reach for a wooden spoon and a wad of paper towels? Do you wrap oven mitts in foil? Is there a safe, easy way to turn your turkey right side up? The answer, sadly, is no.
Thats the major drawback of cooking a turkey upside down. Its a heavy bird and try to flip it upright, you risk splashing yourself with hot turkey fat or burning your hand on the roasting rack. Ouch!
Do I cook the turkey breast up or down?
FAQ
Is it better to cook a turkey breast up or down?
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