Honeysuckle Turkey Breast Cooking Chart Food

HOW TO COOK A TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Two days before you plan to cook the breast, place it into the refrigerator to thaw.
• Preheat the oven to 325 unless the turkey breast seems to be somewhat frozen. If somewhat frozen, increase temp to 350.
• When ready to cook, remove the turkey from the packaging and remove any extra parts that may be included such as neck, wings, etc. Set those aside. Drain the turkey and pat dry with paper towels (not kitchen towels). Discard the paper towels.
• Sprinkle kosher salt over the surface of the breast and on the inside cavity of the turkey.
• Rub the turkey inside and out with the oil. You may not need the entire ¼ cup of oil.
• Sprinkle the breast, inside and out, with the rosemary and thyme.
• Pour the broth into the bottom of the roasting pan and place the butter there as well. Place the garlic and lemon into the pan beneath the rack and then place the turkey on the rack of the roasting pan breast side down.
• Bake uncovered for one hour.
• After an hour turn the breast over, breast and skin side up. Baste with the broth and oils that have accumulated in the bottom of the roasting pan. If at any point the broth evaporates, pour another cup into the bottom of the roasting pan.
• Continue baking breast side up until internal temp of 160 is reached (about 2 hours total, depending on size). Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with the pan drippings.
• When internal temp has been reached, remove the turkey from the oven and loosely tent aluminum foil over the top of the pan. Allow turkey to rest this way until the meat is cool enough to handle and slices.

ROAST TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with chosen aromatics and seasonings and salt and pepper.
• Carefully lift the skin from the meat and rub half of the seasoned butter directly on the turkey breast. Rub the rest of the seasoned butter on the skin. Season the turkey generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Scatter the vegetables on the bottom of a roasting pan just large enough to hold the turkey. Set the meat breast-side up in the pan. Roast for about 2 hours or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 160 degrees F. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil for 20 minutes. The breast temperature will continue to rise as it rests. Carve the breast and serve with the pan juices.
• Roasting times for a turkey breast cooked in a 325 degrees F oven:
• Unstuffed, a 2 to 3-pound turkey will cook from 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Unstuffed, a 4 to 6-pound turkey will cook from 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 hours
• Unstuffed, a 7 to 8-pound turkey will cook from 2 1/4 to 3 1/4 hours; if stuffed, it will cook in 3 to 4 hours.
• Lemon and Thyme: Season the butter with 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest.
• Honey Glazed: Season the butter with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons honey.
• Soy Ginger: Season the butter with 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, and 3 cloves garlic, minced.

ROAST TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Take the turkey breast out of the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature for an hour.
• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Put a rack inside an oven tray with the onions and carrots underneath, or arrange the veg inside an ovenproof frying pan.
• Weigh the turkey breast and calculate 40 mins per kilo, plus an additional 20 mins.
• Rub the butter over the skin and season well. Put the turkey breast on the rack or rest it on top of the veg in the pan.
• Pour in enough water to cover the veg and cover the whole tin or pan with a tent of foil.
• Roast for the allotted time, taking the foil off 20 mins before the end to brown the skin. Test with the point of a knife and see if the point feels hot as soon as you pull it out (be careful) and the juices run clear. If you have a thermometer then it should read 65-70C. If the joint appears to be underdone, then put back in the oven for another 10 mins.
• Leave the turkey to rest for 20 mins somewhere warm, it will keep cooking so the final internal temperature will rise to 70C, or just above that. Don't skip this step otherwise the juices will run out as you carve.
• Use the strained veg and liquid in the bottom of the tin and the juices from carving to add to this gravy, if you like, and serve with the turkey and veg.