Best 4 Moist And Tender Turkey Or Turkey Breast Recipes
Cooking a moist and tender turkey or turkey breast is an art form that combines careful preparation, expert cooking techniques, and a touch of culinary expertise. Whether it's the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving feast or a delectable weekday dinner, achieving that perfect balance of succulent meat and crispy skin is a goal every home cook strives for. In this article, we will unveil the secrets to achieving this culinary masterpiece, guiding you through the process of selecting the right bird, preparing it with flavorful marinades or brines, and cooking it to perfection with our carefully curated selection of recipes. From classic roasted turkey to tantalizing smoked turkey breast, we've got you covered with a range of options that cater to every taste and skill level. So, get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds craving more as we delve into the art of cooking a moist and tender turkey or turkey breast.
Let's cook with our recipes!
PERFECTLY MOIST AND TENDER TURKEY
You only need three ingredients-plus salt and pepper-to create this perfect roast turkey. The secret is placing the bird over a buttered loaf of ciabatta bread, which helps the meat to cook evenly in the roasting pan.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Turkey Recipes
Yield Makes one 18-pound turkey
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Allow turkey to stand at room temperature for about an hour.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees with rack in lower third of oven.
- Use a serrated knife to cut off top of bread to create a flat surface, if necessary. Cut bread lengthwise, without cutting all the way through. Open bread like a book. Evenly spread butter over cut-side of bread. Place bread, buttered side up, in large, heavy-duty roasting pan.
- Liberally season turkey inside and out with salt and pepper. Truss legs together using kitchen twine, and tuck wing tips under the breast. Place turkey, breast side down, on buttered bread. Place in oven, legs first if possible, and roast for 45 minutes. (If it's not possible to position turkey in oven legs first, rotate roasting pan halfway through cooking time.) Remove turkey from oven and reduce temperature to 350 degrees.
- Using a wooden spoon and side towels, carefully turn turkey so it's breast side up. Place in oven, breast side first if possible, and continue roasting, turning and basting with pan juices every 15 minutes until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding bone) reaches 165 degrees, about 1 1/2 hours more. (If it's not possible to position turkey in oven breast side first, rotate roasting pan halfway through cooking time.) Let turkey rest at least 30 minutes before carving.
MOIST TURKEY BREAST
My family always requests this turkey at family gatherings. The Italian dressing adds zip and moistness that you don't find in other recipes. If you're wondering how to cook a moist turkey breast, this is the recipe to try. -Cindy Carlson, Ingleside, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 2h10m
Yield 14 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place turkey breast in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Combine the seasonings; sprinkle over turkey. Pour dressing over the top. , Cover and bake at 325° until a thermometer reads 170°, for 2 to 2-1/2 hours, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 406 calories, Fat 22g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 122mg cholesterol, Sodium 621mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 47g protein.
MOIST AND TENDER TURKEY (OR TURKEY BREAST)
PLEASE READ this regarding TEMP & TIME! There is no "right" temperature. If you roast it at 250°F it will just take longer to cook than at 325°F. (Just like picking High or Low on a crock-pot) I cannot tell you exactly how long it will take. It depends on what type of oven you have & how warm/cold your turkey is when you put it in the oven. You HAVE to use an instant read thermometer to know when it is cooked. (I roast my 18-20 lbs. fresh turkey at 250°F. It took about 4 hours to reach the correct temperature in my old convection oven. It took 5 hours in my new one.) Because of the mayo, the skin is crisp and flavorful and the meat is tender, moist and delicious. If you don't use the butter & broth, you will not have enough pan drippings to make gravy. I've also added 1/2 cup of beer or wine to the mixture before & it was also spectacular. With slow roasting it, the meat stays so juicy I've actually had it squirt out when I insert the thermometer! I've never had a better turkey.
Provided by Marg CaymanDesigns
Categories Poultry
Time 2h10m
Yield 1 turkey, 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Place turkey or turkey breast in a roasting pan.
- (I use a disposable roasting pan) Combine melted butter and chicken broth.
- Pour over turkey.
- Rub mayonnaise all over turkey's exterior.
- Salt and pepper lightly if desired.
- Roast at 300°-325°F until internal temperature reaches 170°F on an instant read thermometer. (I raise the temperature to 350° for the last approximate 30-45 minutes to crisp skin).
- (I roast my 18-20 lbs. fresh turkey at 250°F in a convection oven. It takes about 4 hours to reach the correct temperature.).
- Remove from oven and let sit for about 30 minutes before slicing.
- Note: because the butter and broth are for making gravy, if you need to make a lot of gravy, double the amount of both.
- To make gravy: pour pan drippings into a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add 1 Tbls. cornstarch per cup of broth/drippings to 1/4 cup cold water. (You'll usually need 2-3 Tbls) Mix well to dissolve. Stir cornstarch mixture into broth and stir until thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste. If too thin, dissolve more cornstarch in water and add until desired thickness. If too thick, add water or more broth to thin.
VERY MOIST AND FLAVORFUL ROAST TURKEY
Does your turkey need a boost of moisture and flavor? Try this! Tweak it to your own liking as much as your imagination wants. Carve the entire turkey and save the bones, joints, tail, wing tips, drippings, and reserved onion, garlic and celery (but NOT the skin) to make turkey soup. Mix the apple pieces into your dressing.
Provided by Andie
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Turkey Whole Turkey Recipes
Time 4h30m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Cut butter into 1-tablespoon pieces, quarter the pieces, and refrigerate butter until needed.
- Use your fingers to loosen the skin over the turkey breast and thighs. Cut a hole in the turkey skin between tail and body (to affix legs); cut a hole on each side of the turkey beneath each wing (to affix wings). Rub the entire skin with vegetable oil.
- Toss apple and onion wedges, garlic cloves, and celery in a large bowl until combined; sprinkle poultry seasoning over the apple mixture and toss again to coat. Stuff the body and neck cavities with the apple mixture. Insert each wing tip into the hole under the wing to secure wings; insert both legs into hole near tail to secure legs.
- Place turkey onto a rack and set in a roasting pan. Insert cold butter pieces under the loosened skin, distributing the butter as evenly as possible.
- Roast the turkey in the preheated oven until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh, not touching bone, reads 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 3 1/2 hours. Check for doneness after 3 hours.
- Remove roasting pan containing turkey from oven and cover with aluminum foil, lightly pressing the foil directly onto the bird. Let the turkey rest for 40 minutes before carving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 774.2 calories, Carbohydrate 6.1 g, Cholesterol 284.8 mg, Fat 40.3 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 91.3 g, SaturatedFat 14.2 g, Sodium 305.3 mg, Sugar 3.5 g
Tips:
- Brining the Turkey: Brining the turkey helps to keep it moist and flavorful. You can brine the turkey in a solution of water, salt, sugar, and spices for 12-24 hours before cooking. You can use different spices such as garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, and thyme to add flavor to the brine.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. The internal temperature of the turkey should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast and 180°F (82°C) in the thigh. This will ensure that the turkey is cooked properly and is safe to eat.
- Basting the Turkey: Basting the turkey with butter or oil helps to keep it moist and prevents it from drying out. You can baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so during the cooking process.
- Let the Turkey Rest: After cooking the turkey, let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey.
Conclusion:
Cooking a moist and tender turkey or turkey breast is a skill that takes time and practice to perfect. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can ensure that your turkey turns out perfect every time. Remember to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey, brine the turkey before cooking, baste the turkey regularly, and let it rest before carving. With a little patience and care, you can create a delicious and memorable turkey dinner that your family and friends will love.
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