Cooking a juicy, flavorful turkey roll can seem intimidating for many home cooks. How long should you cook it for? What temperature should the oven be set at? Is a meat thermometer necessary? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook a perfect turkey roll.
Choosing Your Turkey Roll
The first step is selecting the right turkey roll for your meal. You can find boneless turkey rolls or bone-in turkey rolls. Boneless rolls cook a little quicker and are easier to carve. Bone-in turkey rolls take a bit longer since the bone acts as an insulator, but some cooks think they have more flavor. Choose based on the number of people you are serving and your personal preferences.
For a smaller gathering of 4-6 people, a 2-3 lb roll is ideal. Larger rolls around 5 lbs can feed up to 10 hungry guests. Take the turkey roll out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking so it can come closer to room temperature.
Preparing the Turkey Roll
Before the turkey goes in the oven you need to prep it. Here are a few tips
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Pat the turkey roll dry with paper towels This helps the skin get crispy in the oven
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Rub the outside with butter or olive oil. You can also coat with spices like thyme, sage, salt, and pepper.
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For even cooking, tie the boneless roll with twine into a uniform shape. This is called trussing.
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Place the turkey roll on a roasting rack inside a pan to allow air circulation.
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Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part without touching bone.
What Oven Temperature is Best?
The optimal oven temperature for cooking a turkey roll is 325°F. This gives you a nice balance between a tender interior and browned, crispy skin.
If you want to boost browning, start at a higher temp of 350-375°F for the first 30 minutes. Just lower it down to 325°F after that initial high heat.
For a more gentle cook, you can go as low as 300°F. Keep in mind the turkey will need more time at this temp.
Calculating Turkey Roll Cooking Time
The cooking time depends on a few factors, especially the size of your turkey roll. Below are general guidelines:
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Boneless turkey roll – Cook for approximately 20-25 minutes per pound at 325°F.
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Bone-in turkey roll – Allow 25-30 minutes per pound at 325°F.
For example, a 4 lb boneless turkey roll will take about 80-100 minutes in a 325°F oven. A 5 lb bone-in turkey roll may need 150 minutes or more.
These timings are a starting point, but using an accurate meat thermometer is essential. The internal temp of the thickest part of the turkey should reach 165°F. Letting the turkey rest afterwards allows juices to distribute evenly.
Step-by-Step Method
Follow these simple steps for turkey roll success:
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Preheat your oven to 325°F. Prepare the turkey roll as indicated above.
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Place prepared roll on a rack in a roasting pan. Insert meat thermometer in the thickest section.
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Roast turkey roll for estimated time based on size, lowering temp if skin is browning too fast.
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Check temperature regularly until thermometer reads 165°F. Juices should run clear.
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Remove turkey roll from oven, tent with foil, and allow to rest 15-20 minutes.
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Remove netting or twine and transfer turkey to a cutting board. Slice and serve!
Handy Turkey Roll Cooking Tips
Here are some additional pointers to ensure your turkey roll turns out moist and full of flavor:
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Brining or marinating the turkey roll before cooking amps up moisture and taste.
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Baste the turkey with pan juices or melted butter every 30 minutes.
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Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness. Ovens vary in calibration.
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Loosely tent foil over the roll to prevent over-browning if needed.
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Letting the cooked turkey rest allows juices to redistribute so meat stays juicy.
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Carve across the grain for tender slices.
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Pair turkey roll with classic side dishes like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.
Troubleshooting Turkey Roll Problems
Even experienced cooks can run into a few issues when cooking turkey rolls. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Turkey roll is undercooked: Continue roasting until the minimum safe internal temp of 165°F is reached. Check temperature in a few places.
Turkey roll is overcooked or dry: Unfortunately overcooked meat can’t be fixed, but including rich gravy or sauce helps add moisture.
Skin isn’t crisping: Increase oven temp toward the end to 375°F and roast until browned. Broil for a couple minutes if needed.
Cooking faster than expected: Tent with foil and reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees to slow it down.
Takes longer than expected: Raise oven temp slightly, by 25 degrees, and monitor turkey roll closely to prevent overcooking.
With the proper technique, your oven-roasted turkey roll will be a huge hit. Follow this guide for the timing, temperature, preparation, and cooking steps you need. The delicious flavors and juicy texture will have everyone asking for seconds! Let us know if you have any other turkey roll cooking questions.
Turkey roll: 27 times
Oven: 16 times
Meat thermometer: 6 times
Minutes per pound: 4 times
325°F: 4 times
Boneless: 3 times
Bone-in: 3 times
Baste: 2 times
Brine/Marinade: 2 times
Roast: 2 times
Lb: 2 times
4-6 people: 1 time
2-3 lb: 1 time
5 lb: 1 time
10 guests: 1 time
Trussing: 1 time
Crispy skin: 1 time
Gravy/Sauce: 1 time
Things You’ll Need
- Knives
- Spoons
- Plastic wrap
- Mallet or rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Bakers twine
- Baking sheet
- Wire rack
- Instant thermometer
StepsPart
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1 Cut the turkey meat away from the bone if its not boneless. Using a sharp kitchen knife, cut as much of the breast meat away from the bone as possible. Try to keep the meat in one long piece, rather than cutting it into smaller pieces.[1]
- You can save the bones from the breast to make a gravy or soup later.
- 2 Slice boneless turkey breasts horizontally to make 2 long pieces. On the thicker side of the breast, cut the meat in a horizontal line until youre about 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the other side of the meat. Leave the two halves connected to form one long pieces of meat.[2]
- Be careful not to cut the breast in half. If you do, it may be more difficult to get your roll to stay together.
- Tip: Put a damp paper towel under the cutting board so it wont slide on your counter or table top.
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- 3 Place the turkey on a cutting board and cover the meat with plastic wrap. Situate your turkey breast so that it is laying flat on the cutting board. Then, tear a piece of plastic wrap large enough to cover the meat, and put it over the top of the meat.[3]
- This will protect the meat and keep it from breaking apart when youre flattening it.
- 4 Use a mallet to flatten the turkey to 1 in (2.5 cm) thick. Pound the turkey breast flat with a mallet, focusing on thicker areas. When the meat is flat, it should be and even thickness.[4]
- You can make the meat as thin as 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm), but flattening it any more than that can cause the turkey to tear when you roll it.
- If you dont have a mallet, you can use a rolling pin or the rounded side of a frying pan to press and flatten the meat.
- 5 Lay bacon strips vertically on a piece of parchment paper with the turkey on top. Line up 10-12 strips of bacon so that they are in an “up and down” position. Organize them so they overlap slightly on each side, and lay the flattened turkey breast on top of the bacon.[5]
- If your turkey breast is much longer than the bacon, add additional strips to either end until the row of bacon is as long as the turkey.
- 6 Spoon the stuffing horizontally across the center of the turkey in a log shape. Layer the package of prepared stuffing on top of the turkey in a line across the length of the breast. Use your hands or a spoon to form it into a log shape, with about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of uncovered turkey above and below the stuffing.[6]
- You can use any kind of stuffing that you prefer. If youre using a homemade stuffing mix, only prepare about 2 cups (470 mL) of the stuffing to prevent the roll from becoming too thick.
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Part
Boneless Turkey Breast
FAQ
How long do you cook a turkey roll for?
Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F gas mark 4. Calculate the cooking time according to weight of the whole roll and stuffing 20 minutes per 450g or 20 mins per lb.
How to cook a turkey roll with stuffing in the oven?
Cook, loosely covered with foil, in a 200°C (400°F) preheated oven for 40 minutes then uncover and continue to cook for a further 20 minutes or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the middle of the roll reads 70°C (160°F). The juices should run clear. Rest for 20 minutes loosely covered with foil.
Do I cover the turkey roll with foil?
… way to ensure you wind up with a perfectly roasted turkey—juicy and flavorful no matter what part you dig into—is to both cover it and not cover it with foilDec 25, 2024
How long does it take to cook a Turkey roll?
Let’s find out! Do you like this article? The general rule of thumb for cooking a turkey roll is to cook it for 40 minutes per kg, plus an additional 20 minutes. This cooking time is based on a preheated oven set to 180°C (350°F) and applies to a thawed, boneless turkey roll.
How long does a thawed Turkey roll take to cook?
The cooking time for a thawed turkey roll in the oven is typically 20-25 minutes per pound of meat. However, keep in mind that these are just general guidelines, and it is essential to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches the recommended safe level of 165°F (74°C).
Can you cook a Turkey roll in the oven?
Turkey rolls are a great alternative to cooking a whole turkey, as they are already deboned and rolled, making them easier to prepare and cook. However, cooking times can vary depending on the size of the turkey roll and the cooking temperature. The cooking time for a turkey roll in the oven can vary depending on the size and weight of the roll.
What temperature should a Turkey roll be cooked at?
The oven temperature plays a crucial role in cooking a turkey roll to perfection. The ideal temperature for cooking a turkey roll in the oven is 325°F (163°C). This temperature allows for even cooking and helps retain moisture in the meat. However, you can adjust the oven temperature slightly depending on your preferences and the desired outcome.
How do you cook a boneless Turkey roll?
Pat turkey dry and season all over with salt, pepper, herbs like thyme or rosemary. You can also rub with oil or butter for extra moisture and use a marinade for flavor. For boneless rolls, tie at intervals with kitchen string to maintain shape. Cooking times vary based on roll size. General guidelines:
How do you make a Turkey roll?
A turkey roll, also known as a roulade or galantine is made by rolling up a deboned turkey breast stuffed with a flavorful filling. When done properly it results in juicy, savory meat that makes for an impressive centerpiece. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to cook a perfect turkey roll from start to finish.