Let’s talk turkey! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we’re already thinking about what to do for dinner. I know first-hand that roasting an entire turkey can seem intimidating though. What size turkey do you need? Fresh or frozen? If you buy frozen, how much time will it take to thaw? How long do you need to roast it? How do you carve the turkey?
Luckily, Canadian Turkey has all the info you need, helpful resources, and how-to videos gathered in one place with their Whole Bird How-Tos. Easily figure out what size you need, thawing time, and cooking time with the simple to use Whole Bird Turkey Calculator.
Many families do the big traditional get together and roasted turkey dinner with all the fixings, but of course this isn’t always the case. What do you do when you’re celebrating the holiday with just one or two friends or family members? A whole turkey makes sense for a large family dinner, but when you’re planning a smaller celebration, even the biggest turkey fan can have a hard time polishing off an entire bird with leftovers on their own. For smaller families, roasting a half turkey is just as delicious and festive as serving a whole bird.
The simplest way to do this is to buy one whole fresh or frozen turkey and ask the butcher to cut it in half for you. If you buy fresh, freeze the other half for next time, or if it’s already frozen, just defrost the half you need and leave the other half in the freezer for next time.
Cooking a whole turkey can be intimidating, but preparing just half a turkey is an easy way to enjoy this delicious bird without lots of leftovers. I’ll walk through how to choose a high-quality half turkey and cook it to crispy, golden brown perfection. With just a few simple steps, you can have a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday meal in no time.
Choosing the Right Half Turkey
When selecting a half turkey, look for one that is plump with smooth, supple skin. The skin should be pale pink and cream colored rather than red or blue-tinged. This indicates fresher meat. The pack date should be recent. If buying frozen, make sure it is solidly frozen with no signs of freezer burn or ice crystals which indicate improper freezing.
An average half turkey weighs 4 to 7 pounds. Allow about 1 pound per person when determining what size to buy. Smaller birds cook more quickly than larger ones.
You can buy a whole turkey and ask the butcher to cut it in half, or look for packaged half turkeys. Both fresh and frozen options work well. Make sure frozen turkeys are completely thawed in the refrigerator before cooking.
Preparing and Seasoning
Rinse the turkey inside and out with cool water, Pat it completely dry, Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan,
Season generously inside and out with salt, pepper, thyme, sage, and other favorite herbs and spices. You can also rub the skin with oil or butter and add chopped onions, carrots, and fresh herbs to the cavity for extra flavor.
Tie the legs together with twine to hold the shape for even cooking. Tuck the wing tips under.
Determining Cook Time
Plan for approximately 15 minutes per pound of turkey So a 5 pound half turkey will need about 75 minutes at 350°F Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness, not the time.
The thickest part of the breast should reach 165°F and thighs 180°F. If browning too quickly, loosely tent foil over it. Let rest 15 minutes before carving for the juiciest meat.
Step-by-Step Method
Follow these simple steps for roast turkey success:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare turkey as described above.
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Place turkey breast up on a rack in a roasting pan. Add 1 cup broth or water to the bottom to prevent pan drippings from burning.
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Roast turkey, basting occasionally with pan juices, until thermometer registers 165°F in breast and 180°F in thighs, about 15 minutes per pound.
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Transfer turkey to a cutting board and let rest 15 minutes before carving. This allows juices to be absorbed back into the meat.
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Make gravy from the delicious pan drippings while turkey rests.
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Carve turkey and serve immediately with gravy and your favorite holiday sides!
Roasting Tips for Best Results
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Brining or marinating makes the meat juicier. But if short on time, a simple dry rub adds lots of flavor.
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Maintain an even 350°F oven temperature and use an oven thermometer to confirm. This prevents over or undercooking.
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Baste every 30 minutes with melted butter, chicken or turkey stock for maximum moisture and flavor.
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Use a probe thermometer to accurately determine doneness instead of relying on time. Insert it into the thickest part of breast and thigh.
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Tenting loosely with foil prevents over browning but don’t wrap tightly or the skin will steam instead of becoming crispy.
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Letting the turkey rest before carving allows juices to be reabsorbed so meat stays moist and tender after slicing.
Perfection with Practice
With a little practice, you’ll be able to roast a juicy, delicious half turkey like a pro. Cooking just half a turkey makes the process less daunting. Starting with a high quality bird and following these simple tips will help you achieve tasty results. Your holiday meal is sure to be a hit with this golden brown roast turkey as the centerpiece!
Classic Roasted Half Turkey
- ½ turkey 3-4kg
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 medium onions
- 6 large carrots
- one bunch fresh rosemary
- 3 large garlic cloves unpeeled
- ½ cup white wine optional
- ½ cup chicken broth 1 cup if omitting wine
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1/2 tbsp pepper
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp ground sage
- 1/2 tbsp ground rosemary
- 1/2 tbsp ground thyme
- If your bird is frozen, place it in the refrigerator overnight to defrost.
- Pat the bird dry with paper towels.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Rub both sides of the turkey with olive oil.
- Combine all spices to make a rub. Sprinkle generously onto both sides of the bird.
- Slice your onions roughly into 1-inch rounds. Peel and wash the carrots.
- Pour wine and chicken broth into your roasting pan. Line the bottom with onions, whole carrots, unpeeled garlic cloves, and rosemary sprigs. Place the bird on top of all the vegetables, cut side down.
- Cook the turkey for 1 ½ – 2 hours until cooked through. Test for doneness with a meat thermometer. Turkey should reach an internal temperature of 170°F (77°C) in the breast and 180°F (82°C) in the thigh.
- Remove turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.
- Enjoy!
Wondering what to do with leftovers? Canadian Turkey has you covered there too! Check out their Recipe Page for unique turkey recipes and delicious ideas for leftovers.
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own. Your experience may differ.
How to Spatchcock a Turkey
FAQ
Can you cut a turkey in half and cook it?
Can you half cook a turkey?
Can you buy 1/2 turkey?
How to cook a half turkey breast?
Choose a shallow roasting pan that is just large enough to comfortably fit the half turkey breast. Place it skin-side up for a crispy and golden brown exterior. For added flavor, you can also place some aromatic vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery around the turkey breast. 6. Roast the Turkey Breast
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
How long does a half Turkey take to cook?
Half turkeys generally weigh between 5 – 10 pounds, and we recommend you allow about 10 minutes/pound at 325°F. You can follow any turkey recipe with a half-turkey, just remember that it will cook more quickly than you expect — possibly even under an hour, so don’t let it go too long without checking.
What temperature should a half turkey breast be cooked at?
It is recommended to cook a half turkey breast at a temperature of 325°F (160°C). This ensures that the meat cooks evenly and remains juicy. How long does it take to cook a half turkey breast? The cooking time for a half turkey breast varies depending on its size.