Roasting A Turkey Crown: How Long Does It Take?

how long do you roast a turkey crown

Turkey crowns are a great option for smaller Christmas gatherings, as they cook quickly and are easy to fit in the oven. But how long do you need to roast one? Well, it depends on the weight of your crown. As a general rule, a stuffed higher-welfare bird should be cooked for 25-30 minutes per kilogram, while a standard bird should be cooked for 35-40 minutes per kilogram. For example, a 3kg crown should be roasted for 1 hour and 30 minutes. However, different recipes specify different oven temperatures, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. For instance, if you're cooking at 190C/170C fan/gas 5, the calculation is 20 minutes per kilogram plus 70 minutes for crowns under 4kg, and 20 minutes per kilogram plus 90 minutes for crowns over 4kg.

Characteristics Values
Oven temperature 190C/170C fan/gas 5 or 200C/180C fan/gas 6
Cooking time 20 mins per kg plus 70-90 mins (depending on weight)
Resting time 20 mins
Internal temperature 65-70C
Defrosting time 24 hours

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Turkey crown cooking times

For a turkey crown weighing under 4kg, cook for 20 minutes per kg, plus an additional 70 minutes. For a turkey crown weighing over 4kg, cook for 20 minutes per kg, plus an additional 90 minutes.

For example, a 1.5kg turkey crown will take 1 hour and 40 minutes to cook, plus resting time. A 2kg turkey crown will take 1 hour and 50 minutes, plus resting time. A 2.5kg turkey crown will take 2 hours, plus resting time.

It is important to adjust the cooking time depending on the oven temperature. For example, if cooking at 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6, calculate the cooking time as 20 minutes per 450g.

The internal temperature of the turkey should reach 70°C when it is ready. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check this, as ovens can vary and other items in the oven may affect the cooking time. The turkey should be left to rest for 20 minutes after cooking, and it will continue to cook during this time.

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How to know if the turkey crown is cooked

How to Know if Your Turkey Crown is Cooked

There are a few ways to check if your turkey crown is cooked. Firstly, the internal temperature of the turkey should be 70°C when it is ready to be removed from the oven. This can be measured with a meat thermometer. The turkey should then be left to rest for 15-20 minutes and will continue to cook through.

Secondly, the meat should be steaming hot throughout and there should be no pink meat visible. Finally, when you cut into the thickest part of the breast, the juices should run clear. To check this, you can pierce the thickest part of the breast with a knife or skewer and check that the juices are not pink.

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How to prepare a turkey crown

Turkey crowns are a great option for smaller gatherings, as they are the breast of the bird still attached to the bone, with the legs and wings removed. They are also a good choice if your family prefers white meat. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare a turkey crown:

Check the Cavity

Check the main cavity for a bag of giblets. If you find one, remove the bag and place the giblets into a large roasting tray with a trivet of roughly chopped vegetables, such as onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs. This will form the base for a delicious gravy.

Prepare the Stuffing

Fill the neck cavity with your chosen stuffing. You can make your own or use a shop-bought variety. Just be careful not to pack it in too tightly. Pull the skin back over and tuck it under the bird.

Season the Turkey

Drizzle olive oil over the crown and rub it into the meat. You can also season the turkey with salt and pepper, or try something different like five spice.

Cover and Chill

Place the turkey on top of the vegetable/giblet trivet in the roasting tray and cover the tray with kitchen foil. Store it in the fridge overnight to let the flavours develop.

Bring to Room Temperature

On the day of cooking, take the turkey crown out of the fridge about an hour before it's due to go into the oven. This will help the turkey cook more evenly and efficiently.

Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to the desired temperature. Different recipes suggest different temperatures, ranging from 170°C to 200°C.

Calculate Cooking Time

The cooking time will depend on the weight of your turkey crown. As a guide, British Turkey recommends the following:

  • For a turkey crown under 4kg: 20 minutes per kg plus 70 minutes
  • For a turkey crown over 4kg: 20 minutes per kg plus 90 minutes

Roast the Turkey

Place the turkey crown in the preheated oven and roast according to your calculated cooking time. Remember to baste the turkey occasionally and cover it with foil if it's browning too quickly.

Check for Doneness

The simplest way to check if your turkey crown is cooked is to stick a knife into the thickest part of the breast. If the juices run clear and there is no pink meat, it's done. You can also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 65°C-70°C.

Rest the Turkey

Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest in a warm place for 20-30 minutes. This will allow the juices to settle back into the meat and keep the turkey warm. Don't cover the turkey if you want the skin to stay crisp.

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How to make gravy

Ingredients

  • Drippings and fat from the turkey tray
  • Chicken stock (200ml)
  • Three to four tablespoons of flour
  • Wine (optional)

Method

  • After removing your turkey crown from the oven and setting it aside to rest, pour the drippings and three to four tablespoons of fat from the tray into a pan over the hob.
  • Once the drippings start to spit and bubble, add the flour. The mixture will look lumpy at this stage.
  • Gradually stir in the chicken stock. If you want to add wine, do so after the chicken stock.
  • Bring the mixture to a low simmer for approximately 15 minutes, stirring regularly to make sure all of the flour has dissolved.
  • The gravy is now ready to be served. If you prefer a smooth gravy, sieve it before serving.

Tips

  • If you have cooked your vegetables in the same tray, your gravy will be even tastier.
  • You can also add a splash of Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce to your gravy for extra flavour.

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How long to defrost a turkey crown

The time it takes to defrost a turkey crown depends on its weight and the method used. The safest and easiest way to defrost a turkey crown is slowly in the fridge, where it will thaw evenly at a constant temperature. For a turkey crown weighing between 1kg and 1.4kg, it will take 10 to 14 hours to defrost in a fridge set at 4°C. For a crown weighing between 2kg and 2.3kg, it will take 20 to 23 hours. A crown weighing between 2.9kg and 3.5kg will take 29 to 35 hours.

If you're short on time, you can defrost a turkey crown under cold water or in the microwave, but these methods are more cumbersome and potentially unhygienic if the packaging is not sealed. Defrosting a turkey crown in cold water will take about 1 hour per kg, while using a microwave will take up to an hour.

It's important to note that you should never defrost a turkey crown at room temperature, as this will expose it to the "Danger Zone" of temperatures between 8°C and 63°C, where bacteria can grow.

To check if your turkey crown is fully defrosted, you can try the following:

  • Touch: The inside of the breast bone around the cavity should not feel frozen at all. The breast meat should feel soft, not solid.
  • Wiggle: The legs and wings should be fairly loose and easy to move. If they are stiff or can't be moved, the turkey crown needs more time to defrost.
  • Temperature: Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the leg or breast. If the temperature is anything below 1°C, the turkey crown is still frozen.

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