Tired of the classic beef London Broil and looking for using Turkey meat instead? Look no further! Here is a Turkey London Broil that will result in tender and juicy meat that you can cut in thin slices with a powerful taste and rich in flavors.
Its not always easy to know how to cook a nice piece of turkey breast without drying it out, and often we dont dare to try because were afraid of not cooking it properly. Today we give you a solution: let us introduce you to the Turkey London Broil recipe!
Broiling turkey produces incredibly moist, tender meat with crispy, browned skin when done right. But knowing exactly how long to broil a turkey is the key to broiling success. Undercooking can lead to dangerous food safety issues, while overcooking yields disappointingly dry turkey.
In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know to broil a foolproof turkey with tender juicy meat and crispy browned skin every time.
Factors That Affect Broiling Times
Several factors impact the broiling time required for turkey:
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Weight – A small 3-5 lb turkey breast broils much faster than an 8-12 lb whole turkey.
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Bone-in or Boneless – Bone-in turkey takes longer to cook as the bone insulates the meat Boneless cuts cook quicker
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Distance from Heat Source – Place the rack 3-6 inches from the broiler based on thickness.
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Broiler Strength – A high broiler setting cooks faster than a low setting.
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Frozen or Thawed – A frozen turkey needs significantly more time. Defrost fully first for quicker cooking.
Recommended Internal Temperature for Turkey
For safety and proper doneness, turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part.
However, carryover cooking will continue to raise the temperature about 5-10°F once removed from the oven.
So ideally, you want to broil the turkey to 155-160°F, then allow the temperature to coast up to 165°F as it rests. Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness.
How Long to Broil a Whole Turkey
For broiling a whole turkey at 500°F:
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8-12 lbs: Total time 60-90 minutes. Broil for 30 minutes per side.
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12-16 lbs: Total time 75-105 minutes. Broil for 35-40 minutes per side.
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16-20 lbs: Total time 90-120 minutes. Broil for 40-45 minutes per side.
Check the temperature and rotate periodically while broiling. Total time depends on the turkey’s size and distance from the heat source.
How Long to Broil a Turkey Breast
For broiling a bone-in turkey breast at 500°F:
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3-5 lbs: Total time 45-60 minutes. Broil for 20-25 minutes per side.
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5-7 lbs: Total time 60-75 minutes. Broil for 25-30 minutes per side.
A boneless breast will cook faster. Reduce cook time by about 10 minutes per side for boneless.
Tips for Perfect Broiled Turkey Every Time
Follow these tips for broiling moist, flavorful turkey with crispy browned skin:
- Thaw completely if frozen
- Preheat broiler for 10 minutes
- Place turkey on a broiler pan, 3-6 inches from heat
- Broil one side until nicely browned, then flip
- Baste frequently with melted butter, olive oil or pan drippings
- Use an instant-read thermometer to test for doneness
- Tent with foil if browning too quickly
- Allow turkey to rest 15 minutes before carving
With an instant-read thermometer and the timing guidelines above, you can easily broil tender, juicy turkey to perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Broiling Turkey
Here are the answers to some common questions about broiling turkey:
Should you broil turkey skin side up or down first?
Start broiling skin side down first. This allows the fat to render and baste the meat rather than dripping off. The skin will still crisp up nicely.
What temperature should you set the oven to broil turkey?
Broil at 500°F for the fastest cooking time. Lower temperatures will increase cook time.
How do you keep turkey moist when broiling?
Baste frequently with melted butter, olive oil or pan drippings. Tent with foil if browning too fast. Cook to the proper internal temperature.
What is the best turkey part to broil?
Turkey breast is ideal for broiling. The white meat stays moist and cooks faster than a whole turkey.
Should you flip a broiling turkey?
Yes, flip the turkey over halfway through cook time to brown both sides evenly. Use tongs and an oven mitt for safe maneuvering.
Can you broil a frozen turkey?
Only broil fully thawed turkey. Partially frozen turkey won’t cook through properly. Defrost it completely in the fridge 1-2 days before broiling.
With the right techniques and timing, you can master broiled turkey with moist meat and crispy browned skin. Enjoy this easy oven preparation perfect for smaller gatherings and holidays throughout the year.
What to serve with the Turkey London Broil?
There are many ways to accompany this turkey London broil in the oven: any vegetables can enhance this delicious meal: campfire veggies, brussel sprouts and zucchini etc. Cheesy campfire potatoes also come great with turkey, oven-roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, and fries: the ideas are endless. Check out our full list of gluten free side dishes!
For the food lovers out there, we have a suggestion, normally we dont reuse a marinade after its been used, but here it may be possible to reduce the leftover marinade with a little water in a pan. To do this, remove the spring onions from the marinade with a kitchen sieve, and bring your marinade with a little water to a boil, reduce for about ten minutes and you have a tasty London Broil sauce that will go wonderfully with your vegetables and potatoes!
For the Turkey London Broil Marinade:
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon light olive oil, canola, or vegetable oil
- 3 spring onions
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
The first two steps should be done the day before to let the meat absorb the flavors of the marinade. For the cooking, do not forget that this one can vary slightly according to the size of your turkey, I trust you to have an eye on it while the broiling process.
Step 1: To prepare the London Broil marinade, in a bowl, combine the oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and green onions cut into small pieces.
Step 2: In a Ziploc bag, place your turkey and pour in the marinade. Close the bag and let it sit overnight in your refrigerator.
Step 3: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Step 4: Take the turkey out of your flavorful marinade and spread the butter on it with your hands making sure it is even. Add ½ teaspoon of black pepper and salt to season the turkey.
Step 5: Place your turkey on a baking pan with aluminum foil and bake in the broiler: your meat needs to sit a little further away from the standard over broiler distance, about 8 inches. Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your piece of meat. Cook for about 15~20 minutes until the exterior is nicely browned. It should be halfway cooked at this point. Then turn over and broil for another 15~20 minutes until nicely colored. If you have a meat thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the turkey piece: it should register 165 degrees F.
Step 6: When the turkey has the right color, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes outside before cutting it into thin slices (be careful to cut against the grain), the meat should be tender and fondant. Serve with campfire veggies, and roasted potatoes. Here, the turkey went quickly over the BQQ!