Cooking roast turkey: tips for cooking it well in the oven and making it tender like a roast chicken
A few precise actions in the kitchen are required to obtain a well-cooked roast turkey that is as tender as chicken. You don’t really know which ones they are? We share the best tips from experts to make your roast turkey tastier than ever.
Roast turkey is a meat which has many nutritional benefits. It is notably rich in proteins, mineral salts, B group vitamins and trace elements. In addition to being nutritious, roast turkey meat is lean. That is to say, it is low in fat! But, despite all its benefits, roast turkey suffers from the reputation of not being tender. We then prefer roast chicken. To remedy, we give you all our tips for good cooking in the oven and so that your roast turkey is tender.
What is a roast turkey?
A turkey roast is simply turkey meat that has been deboned and tied with string. The roast turkey can be stuffed or plain depending on taste. You can buy it in a butcher shop or in a supermarket (especially during holidays) in the meat section.
Why is there string on a roast?
Simply to maintain its original shape. The roast being a boneless meat, when it shrinks during cooking, it becomes deformed. Tying it up avoids this risk by maintaining its elongated shape.
When to remove the string from the roast?
For better hold of the meat, the ideal is to keep the string until the end of cooking. If you ever fear that the trace of the string will be imprinted on the flesh of the meat, remove it 10 minutes before the end of cooking. Really not sooner!
How do you make turkey tender?
To make your roast turkey more tender, a first solution is to massage your meat before cooking. Dip your fingers in a little olive oil and knead the meat for 5 to 10 minutes. To tenderize your roast turkey, you can also marinate it. A lemon-based marinade would be best. The acidity of the fruit will make the meat more tender. For a 1 kg roast turkey, prepare a marinade in a shallow dish with 75 ml olive oil, 50 ml fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, 1 clove garlic crushed, 1 pinch of salt and 1 pinch of pepper. Marinate the turkey roast for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
What is the temperature to cook a turkey roast?
This depends on the cooking method you use and the weight of your turkey roast. For a 1 kg turkey:
- In the oven : cook your roast turkey at temperature of 180°C for 1 hour. While cooking, baste the roast turkey with its juices every 20 minutes to prevent the meat from drying out.
- In the casserole : heat 6 cl of vegetable oil over high heat in a cast iron casserole dish. Brown your turkey roast on all sides. Cover the casserole dish, then fCook the meat for 30 to 40 minutes over low heat.
How do you know if roast turkey is done?
The method is simple, immerse a thermometer in the heart of the roast turkey. If the temperature reached is between 75°C and 80°C, this means that your roast is cooked. How to tell if turkey is cooked without thermometer ? In this case, prick the turkey with the tip of a knife. If the juices running clear, your turkey roast is done.
What weight of roast turkey for 10 people?
For a total of 10 people, a 1.5 kg roast turkey will be more than enough. Contrary to appearances, slices of roast turkey are filling. With such a weight, every guest will be satisfied.
