Turkey Crown Guide
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 3.5kg-4kg and serves twelve people
a large turkey crown of 2.5kg-3.5kg is ideal for a gathering of eight
a medium turkey crown weighs 1.5kg-2.5kg and feeds four 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.
Whatever your budget or the number of guests you’re expecting, there's a turkey crown for you, from our Essential turkey crown to free range and organic options.
Essential Large Turkey Breast Crown
A tender turkey crown that’s easy to cook and carve. Great value and reared with care by a group of carefully selected farmers.
Large Free Range Bronze Turkey Crown
Bronze turkeys are known for their rich flavour and succulence. Our turkey breast crown from free range birds promises tender white meat that’s easy to carve.
Duchy Organic Free Range Bronze Turkey Crown
Our organic bronze turkeys forage and roam freely in open pastures. Fed an organically grown diet, they're naturally slower growing for a delicious, full flavour.
For more options, including the stuffed treacle glazed turkey crown that’s brined for extra tenderness, shop all our turkey crowns.
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 on defrosting and thawing 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 60 minutes per kilogram.
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 70°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 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.
Our classic roast turkey crown recipe delivers results every time.
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.
What to serve with a turkey crown
Potatoes, of course. But what else turns a turkey crown into a true festive feast?
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 these ones 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.
Sides to buy
The festive season can be hectic, so rather than cook all the sides and accompaniments yourself, why not opt for some that are ready-made?
Sides to buy
The festive season can be hectic, so rather than cook all the sides and accompaniments yourself why not opt for some that are ready-made?
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 |
