Did you know that according to recent studies, 87% of Brits will cook a Turkey in celebration of Christmas?
As history tells us, Brits have been celebrating the holiday season with turkey for dinner since the 1500s. It all started when a Brit discovered turkeys during a foreign trade with American Indian traders. But it didn’t become a symbol for a feast until King Henry VIII made this dish popular when he became the first King of England to chow down on a turkey.
What really added to the cooked turkey dish’s popularity was the fact that you did not actually have to be royalty to have it. With many Brits back in the day being farmers, a cooked turkey was actually an extremely cost-effective meal that enabled them to save their cows and chickens from becoming that night’s dinner.
Nowadays, cooking a turkey is known to often be a sign of your culinary skills, with so much at stake. But in fact, cooking a turkey is easier than most people realize. Especially if you simplify the task at hand and focus on just cooking the turkey crown, you will be able to perfect it and impress everyone at the dinner table.
The crown of the turkey is found after the legs and wings have been trimmed off, which results in a heart-shaped turkey breast. It is actually one of the nicest parts of the turkey to eat and one of the most manageable to cook.
To help you perfect this dish, we’ve created the ultimate guide for you to follow along with, including our top tips and tricks, the ingredients you need, and the easiest method to get it cooked just right.
We are here to help you learn the basics from Banquist and add a range of exclusive menus and step-by-step cooking courses to your repertoire so you can impress in the kitchen every single time.
Cooking a delicious, moist turkey crown is easier than you think! With just a few simple steps, you can have a beautiful golden brown turkey crown ready to serve as the centerpiece of your holiday table. Here is a complete guide on how to cook a turkey crown for a perfect holiday meal.
What is a Turkey Crown?
A turkey crown refers to the breast meat of a turkey still attached to the bone, with the legs and wings removed. It includes the white meat that many people prefer, without all the work of roasting a whole turkey.
Turkey crowns are widely available in grocery stores during the holidays They offer a smaller portion of meat, perfect for feeding smaller groups rather than a whole turkey
Benefits of Cooking a Turkey Crown
There are several advantages to cooking a turkey crown rather than a whole turkey:
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Smaller portion size: Perfect for feeding fewer guests, so you don’t have as many leftovers.
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Quick cooking time: A crown cooks much faster than a whole turkey. Average roasting time is only about 2 hours.
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Easy to prepare Seasoning and roasting a crown is simpler with less waste
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All white meat: Ideal if you prefer turkey breast over dark meat.
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Lower cost: Pound for pound, a crown is slightly cheaper than a whole turkey.
How to Choose a Turkey Crown
When selecting a turkey crown, look for:
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Weight: Choose a 2 to 4 pound crown for 4-8 servings. Adjust for your guest count.
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** Appearance:** Select a crown with creamy white skin and no blemishes or tears.
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Freshness Date: Pick a crown with a use by date well after your intended roast date.
You can find fresh or frozen turkey crowns. Make sure frozen ones have time to thaw in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before roasting.
Ingredients Needed
To cook a flavorful turkey crown, you will need:
- Turkey crown, thawed if frozen
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage (optional)
- Aromatics like onion, celery, carrots (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for foolproof results:
1. Remove Turkey from Fridge
- Take turkey out of fridge 1 hour before roasting.
- Let it stand at room temperature so it cooks evenly.
2. Pat Turkey Dry
- Pat turkey skin with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Dry skin helps achieve crispy skin when cooked.
3. Loosen Skin
- Gently loosen skin from breast meat with fingers. Don’t detach completely.
4. Rub with Oil or Butter
- Rub olive oil or melted butter under skin.
- Adds moisture and flavor.
5. Season Generously
- Season under and on skin liberally with kosher salt and pepper.
- You can also rub with herbs like rosemary or thyme.
6. Tie Legs Together
- Fold wings under crown and tie legs together with kitchen string.
- Helps turkey hold its shape while roasting.
7. Roast Uncovered at High Heat
- Place turkey crown on a rack in roasting pan, breast up.
- Roast in 180°C (350°F) oven for first 30 minutes to brown skin.
8. Tent Breast with Foil
- Loosely cover breast with foil to prevent overcooking.
- Continue roasting until internal temperature reaches 70°C.
9. Baste Frequently
- Baste turkey with pan juices every 30 minutes while roasting.
- Keeps meat moist and adds flavor.
10. Roast Uncovered to Finish
- Remove foil tent and roast uncovered for last 15 minutes.
- Allows skin to crisp up.
11. Let Turkey Rest
- Once turkey reaches 70°C, remove from oven and let rest 15 minutes.
-Allows juices to redistribute through meat.
12. Make Gravy
- While turkey rests, make gravy from pan juices.
- Sauté onion, garlic, carrots or other aromatics.
13. Carve and Serve
- Remove kitchen string and slice turkey.
- Serve carved turkey with gravy and side dishes.
And your juicy, tender turkey crown is ready to shine as the centerpiece of your holiday feast!
Cooking Times for Turkey Crown
To ensure your turkey crown cooks through properly, follow these approximate roasting times:
- 2 lb (1 kg) crown = 1 hour 40 minutes
- 3 lb (1.5 kg) crown = 1 hour 50 minutes
- 4 lb (2 kg) crown = 2 hours
- 6 lb (3 kg) crown = 2 hours 30 minutes
- 8 lb (4 kg) crown = 3 hours
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 70°C. Let rest at least 15 minutes before carving.
Top Turkey Crown Roasting Tips
Use these pro tips for the most juicy, tender turkey crown:
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Truss the legs – Tying them together holds in moisture.
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Baste frequently – Basting adds flavor and prevents drying out.
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Use a meat thermometer – It ensures the turkey is fully cooked.
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Roast on a rack – The rack allows air flow for crispy skin.
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Rest before carving – Letting it rest allows juices to redistribute.
Make Delicious Turkey Gravy
Homemade gravy is the perfect finishing touch for your turkey.
To make:
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Pour off drippings from roasting pan; reserve.
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Sauté onion, garlic, celery in the pan over medium heat.
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Sprinkle in flour and cook 1-2 minutes stirring constantly.
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Whisk in reserved drippings and turkey or chicken stock.
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Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
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Strain through a sieve; season with salt and pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your roasted turkey crown with:
- Fluffy mashed potatoes or stuffing
- Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon
- Cranberry sauce
- Dinner rolls
- Pumpkin or pecan pie
With these simple tips and techniques, you can roast a picture-perfect turkey crown. Impress your guests with a beautiful, juicy turkey served with all the trimmings. Enjoy your new go-to method for a fabulous holiday feast centerpiece!
Weave in the Bacon With the Turkey
Another trick to making the turkey crown taste extra delicious is by using a generous amount of bacon weaved in on top of the crown.
By making a weaving pattern with the bacon, the turkey will be able to stay extra moist and get an extra layer of fat soaked into it. You will want to make sure the bacon does not become too crispy though, so you can remove the bacon before the turkey actually finishes.
Make Butter Your Best Friend
The key to cooking a great turkey is making sure it has taste, which is powered by aromatic ingredients and lots of butter. You will want your turkey to be very moist, so ideally you should be using at least 50 to 75 grams of butter.
The best way to apply the butter is by using your fingers and rubbing it in every crease and corner that you can. To make the butter extra delicious, add garlic and lemon zest into the mix as well. In general, the more butter the better.
How to cook a turkey crown
FAQ
How do I cook a turkey crown and keep it moist?
How to keep the turkey moist? The best way to cook turkey crown without drying out during cooking, is by adding plenty of fat! Turkey is a low-fat meat and can dry out during the long roasting time. Adding butter inside the skin and all over the top and inside cavities helps to keep the meat moist.
Should you cover a turkey crown in foil when cooking?
Roast in the oven for about 1½-2 hours, or until the juices run clear when the turkey is pierced in the thickest part with a skewer and no traces of pink remain. During cooking, check the turkey every 30 minutes, baste occasionally and cover with aluminium foil if it is browning too quickly.
How long does it take to cook a crown of turkey?
A 3kg turkey crown will take 2 hours 15 minutes to cook. Loosely cover with foil if it’s browning too quickly. Allow the crown to rest before carving. 3.
How long to take turkey crown out of the fridge before cooking?
- If your turkey crown is frozen, ensure it has completely thawed before roasting. …
- For best results, take your turkey crown out of the fridge 1 hour before cooking. …
- Place in a roasting tray, smear with softened butter and season generously.
How do you cook a Turkey Crown?
Follow these simple roasting steps for a picture-perfect, mouthwatering turkey crown: Heat oven to 425°F – Use a high temp at first to brown and crispy the skin. Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast uncovered for 30 minutes – The initial high heat gives great color. Baste with pan juices 2-3 times.
What temperature should a Turkey Crown be cooked at?
Place into the thickest part of the breast (make sure not to push all the way through!) For the turkey crown to be cooked, the temperature should be over 74°C / 165°F. If it has not reached the right temperature, place it back in the oven (covered to prevent skin burning) and cook for an extra 15 minutes, then check again.
How do you know if a Turkey crown is cooked through?
The best way to check if a turkey crown is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast, avoiding the bone. The turkey is done cooking when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also check if a turkey crown is cooked through by using the following methods:
How do you keep a Turkey Crown moist during cooking?
Having some liquid in the bottom of your roasting tray, smearing with butter and draping over smoked bacon will all help to keep the crown moist during cooking and stop it from drying out. You can keep an eye on the internal temperature of your bird as you’re cooking if you have a temperature probe. How long does a turkey crown take to cook?
Is a Turkey crown better than a whole turkey?
Cooking a turkey crown has several advantages over roasting a whole bird: Less expensive – Contains only the prized white breast meat, so costs less per pound than a whole turkey. More manageable size – Roughly half the size of a whole turkey a crown is less intimidating for novice cooks.
Should I buy a Turkey Crown?
If you love the flavor of a roasted turkey but don’t want a large meal, buy a turkey crown. Because the wings and legs have been removed, the turkey crown will feed a smaller number of people and cook up faster. Decide if you want to make a bright herb butter to rub under the skin before it roasts.