Description
This festive Christmas Turkey Crown recipe features a succulent turkey breast infused with fragrant herbs, citrusy orange slices, and a buttery herb spread. Roasted to golden perfection, this turkey crown is moist, flavorful, and perfect for holiday gatherings, serving 4 to 4.4 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey Crown
- 7.5 lbs turkey crown
Herb Butter Mixture
- 1/3 cup soft butter
- 3 tsp salt
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 7-8 thyme sprigs (leaves only)
Citrus
- 2 oranges
Additional
- Water (1/2 cup for roasting)
- Spices as desired
Instructions
- Prepare the herb butter: Preheat your oven to 390°F (199°C). In a bowl, combine the soft butter with salt, dried basil, and thyme leaves. Mix these ingredients well until they form a smooth and spreadable herb butter paste.
- Prepare the turkey crown: Rinse the turkey crown thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels. Carefully loosen the skin from the turkey breast by gently sliding your fingers underneath without tearing it.
- Apply herb butter under skin: Spread about one-third of the herb butter evenly underneath the turkey skin directly onto the breast meat. This will infuse moisture and flavor during cooking.
- Add orange slices under skin: Thinly slice one of the oranges into approximately 1/2 inch thick slices. Place four orange slices underneath the skin over the herb butter to add citrus aroma and moisture.
- Coat turkey crown exterior: Using the remaining herb butter, brush the entire outside surface of the turkey crown. Sprinkle additional salt as needed and apply any desired spices to the surface for enhanced flavor.
- Roast the turkey crown: Place the prepared turkey crown into a high-sided roasting dish. Pour 1/2 cup water into the bottom of the dish to maintain moisture. Drizzle the juice of the second orange over the turkey and place the remaining orange slices underneath the crown in the dish. Cover the roasting dish tightly with foil and place it in the preheated oven.
- Baking times and finishing: Roast covered for at least 1 hour and 40 minutes at 390°F (199°C). After this time, remove the foil and continue roasting uncovered for another 20 minutes at 400°F (204°C) to develop a golden, crispy crust. Check turkey doneness by piercing the breast; if the juices run clear, the turkey is fully cooked.
- Serving suggestion: Remove the turkey crown from the oven and allow it to rest. Serve whole or sliced, either hot or cold, according to your preference.
Notes
- Rest the turkey crown for 10-15 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Adjust herbs and spices as desired to suit your taste preferences.
- Saving pan juices can make a flavorful gravy or sauce.
- For easier skin separation, refrigerate the turkey for a few hours before cooking.
