How To Cook A Turkey
With Christmas Day fast approaching, you may begin to ask yourself “how do I cook a turkey”? Well, do not fear! We have taken the time to write up this handy blog to ensure you are prepared for the most important meal of the year! If turkey is your chosen Christmas meat, you know that nothing quite beats a perfectly cooked Christmas Turkey accompanied by all the trimmings, so with no time to waste, get your Christmas turkey order placed and let the planning commence!
Where To Buy A Turkey
Whether it be a local supermarket, butcher or farmers market, like all meat, you should purchase from a source that you know and trust. Your local butcher or farmers market should be able to provide information regarding where the turkey came from and how it was reared. This traceability will offer reassurance that the turkey was treated humanely while it was alive. It is important to note that the higher standard of welfare leads to better quality of meat.
Alternatively, should you choose to purchase your Christmas turkey from a supermarket, it has been said that a Sainsbury's turkeys, Marks and Spencer turkeys and Asda turkeys are all great choices!
How To Defrost A Turkey
The number one rule when defrosting a turkey is to allow enough time! The last thing you want on Christmas Day is a turkey that won’t cook properly because it didn't have enough time to defrost!
The safest option when defrosting a turkey is in the fridge as it will ensure the meat defrosts evenly at a maintained temperature. As an approximate guide, you must allow about 24hrs for every 2kg of turkey. For example, a 5-6kg turkey will take about three full days to defrost in the fridge. If you are short on time, you can thaw the turkey under cold water (done safely, this method should take about 1 hr for every 1kg of turkey), or in the microwave (this method could take up to an hour).
Please note, the bacteria found on raw turkey and its juices can cause sickness. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful that they don’t come into contact with other food, especially cooked food. When you handle raw turkey, be sure to wash your hands well in hot, soapy water before touching anything else!
How To Prepare A Turkey
Before you begin cooking your turkey, you must prepare it! Follow the below steps to prep your Christmas Turkey with ease.
Step 1: Remove all packaging from the turkey and place it on a tray or a plate that is large and deep enough to catch any juices or blood that may leak. Cover it loosely with foil, then begin your chosen defrosting method.
Step 2: Once the turkey is fully defrosted, take out any giblets, ensure there are no ice crystals remaining inside the cavity, and thoroughly pat it dry with kitchen paper, both inside and out.
Step 3: Allow the turkey to reach room temperature before cooking. Take it out of the fridge about 1 hour prior for a whole turkey, or 30 minutes for a smaller cut, keeping it covered and in a cool spot.
How Long To Cook A Turkey
The weight contributes to how long it takes to roast a turkey! If the turkey weighs over 4kg, calculate 20 mins per 1kg, plus 90 mins. If the bird weighs under 4kg, calculate 20 mins per 1kg, plus 70 mins.
To check if your turkey is cooked, make sure the juices run clear when you pierce the thigh where it meets the body. If they do not run clear, place it back in the oven for another 20 mins, then test again.
How To Cook A Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 free-range turkey (5kg will feed eight people)
- 50g butter
- Salt & pepper for seasoning (add additional seasoning if you’d like)
Method
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or gas mark 4.
Step 2: Spread butter generously all over the turkey, then sprinkle it with salt and pepper to season.
Step 3: Place the turkey in a roasting tin with the breast side up. Roast it for about 40 minutes per kilogram for the first 4kg, and then 45 minutes per kilogram for any weight over that. To check if it’s cooked, use a meat thermometer: aim for 65°C in the thickest part of the breast or 70°C in the thickest part of the thigh. For a turkey of this size, you’re looking at around 3½ hours of cooking time. However, start checking the temperature after about 2½ hours, especially if your turkey is dry-brined or a different breed—it might cook faster. Remember, the turkey’s temperature will rise slightly as it rests.
Step 4: Once it’s done, take the turkey out of the oven and let it rest in a warm spot for 30–45 minutes. This step is crucial—if you carve it right away, the juices will run out instead of soaking back into the meat. To keep the skin crispy, avoid covering it too tightly, but do ensure it stays warm.
Step 5: Before serving, double-check that the turkey is steaming hot all the way through, there’s no pink meat, and the juices run clear when you cut into the thickest part. Then it’s ready to enjoy!
Recipe & Information Sourced from BBCGoodFood
We do hope our guide on how to cook a turkey helps on the big day! Looking for some Christmas Dinner inspiration? Check out our Christmas Recipes!
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