Tender and full of flavour, a turkey crown is easy to cook and carve, and saves on time and space in the oven. Here's everything you need to know about this delicious Christmas centrepiece.
Choosing the right turkey crown
Choosing the right turkey crown
A turkey crown is the breast of the turkey attached to the bone, with the wings and legs removed.
Because the meat cooks on the bone, it stays tender and juicy. It’s quicker to cook than a whole bird, and it's a great choice for those who prefer the lighter-tasting breast meat.
An extra-large turkey crown weighs 2.7-3.7kg and serves 10-12 people
a large turkey crown of 2.2-2.7kg is ideal for a gathering of eight
a medium turkey crown weighs 1.5-2.2kg and feeds 4-6 PEOPLE
What is a tomahawk steak?
Tomahawk steak is taken from the rib, with the bone left in for a rich, full flavour. Ours is always from British, forage-fed beef, reared by farmers who share our commitment to animal welfare. It’s named for its shape – the long bone looks like the handle of an axe.
Which turkey crown is best?
Whatever your budget or the number of guests you’re expecting, there's a turkey crown for you.
Heritage Breed
Carefully reared and hand butchered to produce deliciously tender, flavour-packed meat. Our largest crown, this can serve up to 12.
No.1 Free Range Bronze
Bronze turkeys are known for their rich flavour and succulence. Our new No.1 Bronze Turkey Crown comes with a classic free-range pork, sage and onion stuffing, and is finished with beechwood-smoked, dry-cured bacon.
Order NEW No.1 British Free Range Bronze Turkey Crown with Free Range Pork Sage & Onion Stuffing
Duchy Organic
Reared with care on farms where birds roam in open pastures and feed on an organic diet, producing richly flavoured and tender meat. Every purchase of Duchy Organic provides a donation to the King Charles III Charitable Fund.
How to cook a turkey crown
How to cook a turkey crown
Follow these simple steps for a perfectly cooked turkey crown.
1.
If your turkey crown is frozen, ensure it has completely thawed before roasting. Always do this in the fridge, never at room temperature. Allow 10-12 hours per kilogram for a turkey crown to thaw in a fridge at 4°C. See our guide to how to defrost a turkey safely.
2.
For best results, take your turkey crown out of the fridge 1 hour before cooking. Do not wash raw turkey, as this can spread germs.
3.
Place in a roasting tray, smear with softened butter and season generously. For a flavour boost, add chopped fresh herbs to the butter, such as sage or thyme, and/or finely grated lemon or orange zest.
4.
If you’re stuffing the turkey crown, loosely fill the neck end, pull the skin over and secure with toothpicks. Don’t fill the cavity – if you do, the bird might not cook properly. Check the weight after stuffing to calculate your cooking time.
5.
Brush a piece of tin foil with oil and place over the crown. Transfer the roasting tin to the centre of the oven and cook for 45 minutes per kilogram (always check the turkey's cooking instructions).
6.
After 1 hour, remove the foil and baste with the tray juices using a large spoon or turkey baster. Return to the oven without the foil and baste several more times during the remaining cooking time.
7.
Use a meat thermometer to check when the turkey crown is cooked – it should reach 72°C when inserted into the thickest part of the breast. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, pierce the thickest part of the breast with a skewer; the juices should run clear when done, and there should be no pink meat. If not yet ready, return to the oven and check every 15 minutes.
8.
When cooked, remove from oven, cover loosely with foil and leave to rest for at least 30 minutes. This allows the meat to relax, which makes it tender, and the juices and flavours to distribute throughout the meat. Reserve the juices for gravy.
Roast turkey crown recipes
Try these two ways with turkey crown – a Christmas classic and a fruity gravy pairing.
Roast turkey crown recipes
Try these ways with turkey crown – a Christmas classic and a version with a fruity twist.
Roast turkey crown
Keep it simple – this classic roast turkey crown recipe delivers results every time.
Cumberland glazed turkey crown
Want to spice things up? Try this turkey crown with a fragrant and sticky redcurrant glaze.
What is a tomahawk steak?
Tomahawk steak is taken from the rib, with the bone left in for a rich, full flavour. Ours is always from British, forage-fed beef, reared by farmers who share our commitment to animal welfare. It’s named for its shape – the long bone looks like the handle of an axe.
How to carve a turkey crown
Another advantage of a turkey crown is that it’s simpler to carve than a whole bird.
How to carve a turkey crown
Another advantage of the turkey crown is that it’s simpler to carve than a whole bird.
Transfer the turkey crown to a chopping board. Using a fork to keep it steady, cut thin slices of breast meat with a downward motion using a sharp carving knife. Or remove the turkey breasts whole by slicing down close to the breastbone on each side. Then slice each breast crossways, against the grain, into thick slices.
Turkey crown hacks
What to serve with a turkey crown
Potatoes, of course. But what else turns a turkey crown into a true festive feast? Try braised red cabbage, cauliflower cheese or sticky parsnips – all classic Christmas sides.
What to serve with a roast turkey crown
Potatoes, of course. But what else turns a turkey crown into a true festive feast?
Christmas isn’t Christmas without roasties, and Martha Collison's best roast potatoes really are the best.
Sticky and delicious honey-roasted carrots and parsnips are an irresistible side.
Don’t forget the gravy! This make-ahead version can wait in the wings for the big day.
What wine to serve with a turkey crown
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always have to serve white wine with white meat. Here are two great options.
What wine to serve with turkey crown
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always have to serve white wine with white meat. Here are two great options.
What wine to serve with turkey crown
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always have to serve white wine with white meat. Here are two great options.
If you prefer white wine with turkey, opt for something rich, like a full-bodied Chardonnay. For red wine lovers, it’s hard to go wrong with a medium-bodied bottle of Pinot Noir, which also goes brilliantly with most leftovers.
More Christmas drinks inspiration.
If you prefer white wine with turkey, opt for something rich, like a full-bodied Chardonnay. For red wine lovers, it’s hard to go wrong with a medium-bodied bottle of Pinot Noir, which also goes brilliantly with most leftovers.
More Christmas drinks inspiration.
If you prefer white wine with turkey, opt for something rich, like a full-bodied Chardonnay. For red wine lovers, it’s hard to go wrong with a medium-bodied bottle of Pinot Noir, which also goes brilliantly with most leftovers. More Christmas drinks inspiration |
