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? Should you buy it fresh or frozen? If frozen, how long does it need to thaw? How long do you roast it? How do you cut it?
With their Whole Bird How-Tos, Canadian Turkey has put together all the information you need, along with helpful links and how-to videos, in one place. The Whole Bird Turkey Calculator makes it easy to find out what size you need, how long to let the turkey thaw, and how long to cook it.
A lot of families have the big traditional get-together and roasted turkey dinner with all the fixings. But this doesn’t always happen. What do you do when you’re only having a small gathering with family or friends? A whole turkey makes sense for a big family dinner, but even the biggest turkey fan might not be able to finish a whole bird with leftovers by themselves. For smaller families, roasting a half turkey is just as delicious and festive as serving a whole bird.
Most people just buy a whole turkey, either fresh or frozen, and ask the butcher to cut it in half for them. For next time, freeze the other half if you buy it fresh. If it’s already frozen, just thaw the half you need and keep the other half in the freezer.
Cooking a whole turkey can seem like an intimidating task but preparing just half a turkey makes the process much easier. With the holidays coming up a beautifully roasted half turkey makes the perfect centerpiece for a smaller gathering. Follow these simple steps for moist, tender meat and crispy golden skin.
Choosing the Right Half Turkey
When buying a half turkey look for one that is plump and smooth with supple pale pink skin. Avoid any with red or blue tinges, which indicates the turkey is not fresh. For a 4-7 person gathering, choose a half turkey between 4-7 pounds. Smaller birds cook faster than larger ones. You can either buy pre-packaged half turkeys, or ask the butcher to cut a fresh turkey in half for you. Both fresh and frozen work equally well, just be sure frozen turkeys are fully thawed before cooking.
Preparing and Seasoning
- Rinse the turkey inside and out, then pat completely dry
- Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan
- Generously season both sides with salt, pepper, sage, thyme and other herbs
- Rub the skin with oil or butter for extra moisture and flavor
- Stuff the cavity with chopped onions, carrots, garlic and fresh herbs
- Tie the legs together to hold the shape for even cooking
- Tuck the wing tips under
Calculating Cook Time
For a juicy, perfectly cooked half turkey, plan on roasting for approximately 15 minutes per pound at 350°F. So a 5 pound turkey will need about 75 minutes total. Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness instead of relying on time. The thickest part of the breast should reach 165°F and thighs 180°F before removing from the oven.
Step-by-Step Roasting Method
Follow these simple steps for roast turkey success:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare half turkey as described above.
- Place turkey breast up on a rack in a roasting pan with 1 cup broth/water in the bottom.
- Roast for 15 minutes per pound, basting occasionally, until it reaches 165°F in the breast and 180°F in thighs.
- Let rest for 15 minutes before carving to allow juices to absorb back into the meat.
- Make gravy from the pan drippings while the turkey rests.
Tips for Best Results
- Brining makes the meat juicier. But a simple herb rub adds lots of flavor if short on time.
- Maintain an even 350°F oven temperature, use an oven thermometer.
- Baste every 30 minutes with chicken stock for added moisture.
- Use a meat thermometer for doneness instead of time.
- Loosely tent foil to prevent over browning but allow the skin to crisp.
- Letting it rest allows juices to reabsorb for tender, flavorful meat.
Roast Turkey Perfection
With some practice, you’ll be able to roast a delicious half turkey with ease. Starting with a high quality bird and following these tips will help you achieve the perfect golden brown turkey with tender, juicy meat. Your holiday meal is sure to impress with this beautiful roast turkey centerpiece!
Shopping List
- Half turkey (4-7 lbs)
- Olive oil
- Onions
- Carrots
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage)
- Garlic
- White wine (optional)
- Chicken broth
- Salt, pepper, spices
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Thaw frozen turkey overnight in the fridge if needed. Rinse turkey and pat dry.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Rub turkey all over with olive oil.
- Make a spice rub with salt, pepper and herbs. Generously season both sides of the turkey.
- Place turkey breast up on a rack in a roasting pan. Surround with onions, carrots, garlic, herbs.
- Pour in wine and broth. Tie legs together. Tuck in wing tips.
- Roast 15 minutes per pound until 165°F in breast, 180°F in thighs.
- Let rest 15 minutes before carving.
- Make gravy from pan drippings. Carve turkey and serve!
Helpful Tips
- Brining adds flavor and moisture. A basic rub works too.
- Use an oven thermometer to maintain even heat.
- Baste every 30 minutes with stock.
- Cook to temperature, not time.
- Loosely tent foil to prevent burning.
- Letting it rest keeps meat juicy.
With the right preparation and cooking technique, you can easily roast a delicious half turkey for your next holiday meal. The smaller size makes it less daunting for novice cooks. Focus on selecting a quality bird, proper seasoning, maintaining oven temperature, and using a meat thermometer. In no time, you’ll be carving up a beautiful, juicy roast turkey like a pro!
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, put it in the fridge overnight to thaw.
- 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. Put onions, whole carrots, garlic cloves that haven’t been peeled, and rosemary sprigs around the bottom. Put the bird on top of the vegetables with the cut side facing down.
- For 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until done, cook the turkey. Test for doneness with a meat thermometer. The turkey should be cooked until the breast is 170°F (77°C) and the thigh is 180°F (82°C).
- Take the turkey out of the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before cutting it up.
- Enjoy!
Turkey is the star of any holiday table, whether you’re having a quiet dinner for two or dinner with all of your extended family. Turkey is the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving tradition no matter what. There are so many options besides the traditional whole bird.
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.
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FAQ
Can you cook half of a turkey?
Can you cut a raw turkey in half and cook it?
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
What size is half turkey?
How long does a half Turkey take to cook?
Roasting turkey halves in the oven is a truly great way to cook a turkey, especially for Thanksgiving. The turkeys cook evenly, the skins get golden brown and crisp, the halves are easy to carve, and the turkeys cook in about 2 hours. Can you buy 1/2 turkey? Publix Fresh Half Turkey, All Natural, Usda Inspected, Grade A.
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 do you 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?
Can I stuff a half turkey breast?
We do not recommend stuffing a half turkey breast, as it can affect the cooking time and temperature. It is safer to cook the stuffing separately and then serve it alongside the turkey breast. If you do decide to stuff the turkey breast, make sure the internal temperature of the stuffing reaches 165°F to ensure it is safe to eat.
What is a half turkey breast?
A half turkey breast, also known as a split turkey breast, is one side of the breast meat of the turkey, either with or without the bone. Usually, when you buy a bone-in turkey breasts it includes both breasts.
How much does a half turkey weigh?
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.