A turkey roll, also known as a roulade or galantine, is a impressive and flavorful alternative to roasting a whole turkey A turkey roll is made by rolling up a boneless, stuffed turkey breast and roasting it to juicy perfection When done properly, it results in incredibly moist, succulent meat that makes an elegant holiday centerpiece. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know to cook a mouthwatering turkey roll from preparation through roasting.
Ingredients Needed
To start you will need
- 1 bone-in turkey breast (4-6 lbs)
- Herb butter:
- 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, thyme, minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- Kitchen twine
- Olive oil or butter for basting
- Optional fresh herbs for garnish
Preparing the Turkey Breast
Begin by removing the bone from the turkey breast while keeping the skin intact. This allows you to roll and tie the meat nicely.
Use a sharp boning knife to cut the meat away from the bone, leaving the skin attached on one side. Discard excess fat or membranes.
Open the breast up and spread the herb butter evenly over the inside meat. Then roll up the buttered breast very tightly lengthwise.
Tie the rolled breast at 1-2 inch intervals with kitchen twine to secure the shape. Make sure it is rolled as tight as possible.
Seasoning and Roasting
Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat the turkey roll with olive oil or melted butter and generously season the outside with salt and pepper.
Place seam side down on a rack in a roasting pan. Add 1 cup broth or water to the pan bottom to prevent drippings from burning.
Roast at 450°F for 20 minutes to brown the skin. Reduce heat to 325°F and continue roasting until the thickest part of the breast reaches 160-165°F internally, about 15-20 minutes per pound.
Baste occasionally with pan juices for moisture and flavor. Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing to serve.
Pro Tips
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Truss roll very tight so it holds its shape. Use cotton kitchen twine rather than nylon.
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After searing at 450°F, use a 325°F roasting temperature to prevent drying out.
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Baste with pan drippings every 30 minutes for a juicy turkey roll.
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Cook to an internal temp of 160-165°F. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
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Letting it rest allows juices to redistribute so meat stays moist and tender.
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Carve across the grain for the most tender texture.
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Drizzle pan juices over sliced turkey roll and garnish with fresh herbs.
Flavoring Your Turkey Roll
One of the best things about a turkey roulade is you can customize the filling flavors. Consider using:
- Pesto, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes
- Sausage, apples, sage
- Cranberry pecan stuffing
- Herbs de Provence and goat cheese
- Chorizo and manchego
Get creative with stuffings that complement turkey flavor!
Serving Suggestions
A beautifully bronzed turkey roll makes a stunning holiday focal point. Serve sliced turkey roll with:
- Pan gravy or sauce
- Cranberry sauce
- Roasted autumn vegetables
- Classic bread stuffing or dressing
- Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
- Green bean casserole
- Cranberry salad
- Dinner rolls
Offer traditional Thanksgiving sides so guests can create a plate.
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Store sliced turkey roll in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Stuffing should be stored separately.
For best texture, slice turkey before reheating. Heat with a little broth or gravy.
Frozen leftovers will keep 2-3 months. Defrost in refrigerator before reheating.
Common Turkey Roll Questions
What size turkey breast do I need?
For 4-6 servings, use a 4-5 lb bone-in breast. Size up for more guests.
Can I use a boneless breast?
Yes, but it won’t wrap up as neatly. You’ll need to tie it very tight.
What if I don’t have kitchen twine?
You can tightly wrap the breast in plastic wrap or foil instead.
Should I roast it breast-side up?
It’s best to roast seam side down so the stuffing doesn’t leak out.
What’s the minimum safe internal temperature?
Cook to at least 160°F for safety, though 165°F is ideal.
What if it browns too fast?
If skin over-browns, tent loosely with foil to prevent burning.
What if it’s not done on time?
Increase the oven temperature to 350°F to speed up cooking if needed. Always check internal temperature.
Can I reheat leftovers?
Yes, slice turkey and reheat in broth or gravy until warmed through.
How do I know when it’s finished cooking?
Check the internal temperature in the thickest part with a meat thermometer for accuracy.
The Perfect Turkey Roll
With some simple preparation and the right roasting techniques, you can achieve incredibly moist, flavorful results with your turkey roll. Carefully deboning, seasoning, and rolling up the stuffed breast will create a beautiful roast. Basting and cooking low and slow leads to ideal texture. Follow these tips and you’ll master how to cook a show-stopping turkey roll in the oven.
Creating the Roll
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1 Roll the turkey up and around the stuffing. Using your hands, lift the bottom part of the turkey that isnt covered by stuffing, and fold it across the top of the stuffing log. Then, lift and fold the top half of the turkey across the stuffing to create the beginning of the roll.[7]
- If you left enough free turkey above and below the stuffing log, these pieces should overlap and stay folded.
- 2 Fold the bacon strips across the turkey roll. Working from left to right, fold the bottom and top parts of the bacon around the turkey breast. The ends of the bacon should overlap on the top of the turkey roll, wrapping the meat completely.[8]
- For extra support, you can position a piece of bacon horizontally on either side of the turkey log before you begin to wrap the log.
- 3 Season the roll with salt and pepper. Put a pinch of salt and pepper along the seam of the bacon to season the underside of the turkey roll. This is the portion of the log that will be facing down as the roll bakes.[9]
- You can add other spices as desired to get a different taste, like sage or rosemary for a more festive turkey roll.
- 4 Tie the roll closed with bakers twine. Slide a piece of bakers twine under the roll and position it under the center of the roll, tying it to hold the roll in place. Then, tie a piece around either end of the roll, and one around the roll horizontally.[10]
- This will help to keep the roll intact while it bakes and expands in the oven.
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How to Cook a Turkey Breast Roast – Simple and Delicious Recipe
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a turkey roll in the oven?
Place in a covered roasting pan or baking dish and bake/roast at 325F for 30-40 mins per lb. The internal thermometer should read 170F – 180F (77C – 82C). Remove from the oven, tent, and let rest for 15 min.
How to cook turkey roll with stuffing in the oven?
Place the stuffed and tied breast in a roasting tin. Rub all over with softened butter and season with sea salt and ground black pepper. Cover with tin foil and roast the turkey breast in the middle shelf of the oven for 2 hours ( I follow the 40 minutes per kg rule of thumb).
How to cook a turkey roll and keep it moist?
Best temperature to roast the turkey roll
Then the oven is reduced to 275 F, so that the rest of the turkey cooks at a low temperature for a longer time. This low and slow method of cooking will prevent the roulade from losing too much moisture and prevent it from drying out too much.
How long do you cook a turkey roulade for?
Roast for 1¼ to 1½ hours, until the skin is golden brown and the internal temperature is 150 degrees. Remove from the oven, cover the turkey with foil, and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Remove the string, slice the roulade crosswise in ½-inch-thick slices, and serve warm with the pan juices.
Can you cook a Turkey roll in the oven?
Cooking a delicious turkey roll in the oven may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple with the right techniques. 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.
How long do you cook a Turkey roll?
As a general guideline, cook for approximately 20 minutes per pound (500 grams). Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for a safe-to-eat turkey. Once cooked, remove the turkey roll from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes. This resting period allows the meat to reabsorb its juices, making it juicy and flavorful.
What temperature should a Turkey roll be cooked at?
Maintain a low roasting temperature of 325°F for the majority of the cooking time after initially searing at 450°F. This prevents drying out. Baste every 30 minutes with the pan drippings to ensure a juicy turkey roll. Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness rather than relying on time. Cook to 160-165°F internally.
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.
Why is my Turkey roll taking so long to cook?
If the turkey roll seems to be taking too long to cook – If the turkey roll is taking too long to cook, you can increase the temperature of the oven slightly, or increase the time that the turkey spends in the oven. However, it is important to be careful to avoid overcooking the turkey roll.
How do you cook a Turkey roll if you don’t have skin?
An even roast will bake more evenly. Wrap the turkey roll with the turkey skin. This layer of fat will prevent excess moisture from evaporating, AND the fat in the skin will help to keep the meat moist. If you do not have skin, you can also use bacon instead! Go low and slow for the roasting temperature.