Mary Berry Turkey Crown recipe offers a straightforward approach to serving a delicious, juicy turkey breast. This method concentrates on the crown, simplifying the cooking process and ensuring the meat stays moist and full of flavor from various herbs and seasonings. Ideal for holiday celebrations like Christmas or Thanksgiving, it provides an impressive yet hassle-free option for your festive table.
Let’s get started!
What is Mary Berry Turkey Crown Recipe?
A turkey crown is a cut of meat that consists of the breast and wings of the turkey, without the legs and thighs. It is easier to carve and serve and also reduces the cooking time. Mary Berry is a famous British food writer and television presenter who has a simple and foolproof recipe for roasting a turkey crown. Her recipe involves buttering the skin of the turkey crown, making some slits in it, and roasting it with onion wedges, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs. She also makes a delicious gravy from the pan juices and cranberry sauce.
Typically serving 6-8 people, the preparation for Mary Berry’s Turkey Crown is streamlined for efficiency and ease, making it accessible even to those less experienced with holiday cooking.
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Why You Love this Recipe
Delight in the simplicity and elegance of Mary Berry’s Turkey Crown recipe, sure to become a staple for your festive meals:
- Effortless Preparation: With straightforward instructions and readily available ingredients, this recipe promises a hassle-free cooking experience.
- Juicy and Flavorful: Enjoy a turkey that’s perfectly moist inside with a deliciously crispy skin, thanks to Mary Berry’s expert cooking method.
- Ideal for Celebrations: Whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter, this turkey crown is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table.
- Complementary to Various Sides: Versatile and classic, this turkey pairs beautifully with an array of side dishes, enhancing your festive spread.
- Convenient Leftovers: The recipe ensures the turkey remains succulent and tasty, even when reheated, making leftovers something to look forward to.
Ingredients Needed to Make Mary Berry Turkey Crown Recipe
To make a Mary Berry turkey crown recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- A turkey crown, weighing about 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs)
- 75 g (2.5 oz) of butter, softened
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 onions, peeled and cut into wedges
- 2 bay leaves
- A few sprigs of fresh thyme
- 600 ml (2.5 cups) of chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons of plain flour
- 2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce
Useful Equipment
You will also need the following equipment:
- A large roasting tin
- A small bowl
- A sharp knife
- A chopping board
- A pastry brush
- A meat thermometer
- A large saucepan
- A whisk
- A gravy boat
- A carving board
- A carving knife
- A large platter
Instructions to Make Mary Berry Turkey Crown
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making a Mary Berry turkey crown recipe:
Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare the turkey crown
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan, gas mark 6).
- Rinse the turkey crown under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Place the turkey crown in the roasting tin, skin side up.
- In a small bowl, mix the butter with some salt and pepper.
- Using a sharp knife, make some small slits in the skin of the turkey crown, being careful not to cut into the meat.
- Using a pastry brush, spread the butter mixture all over the turkey crown, making sure to get into the slits.
- Scatter the onion wedges, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs around the turkey crown in the roasting tin.
- Pour the chicken stock into the roasting tin, but not over the turkey crown.
Step 2: Roast the turkey crown
- Roast the turkey crown in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crisp, and the meat is cooked through.
- To check if the turkey crown is done, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, without touching the bone. The temperature should read at least 74°C (165°F).
- If the skin is browning too quickly, cover the turkey crown loosely with foil halfway through the cooking time.
- Baste the turkey crown with the pan juices every 20 minutes to keep it moist and flavorful.
Step 3: Rest the turkey crown and make the gravy
- When the turkey crown is done, transfer it to a carving board and cover it loosely with foil. Let it rest for 20 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to be redistributed and the meat to become more tender.
- To make the gravy, strain the pan juices into a large saucepan, discarding the onion wedges, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs. Skim off any excess fat from the surface.
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the pan juices to a boil.
- In a small bowl, whisk the flour with some water to make a smooth paste.
- Gradually whisk the flour paste into the boiling pan juices, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Simmer the gravy for about 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Stir in the cranberry sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the gravy to a gravy boat and keep it warm until ready to serve.
Step 4: Carve and serve the turkey crown
- To carve the turkey crown, use a carving knife to cut along the breastbone and separate the breast meat from the bone. Then slice the breast meat across the grain into thin slices.
- Repeat with the other side of the breast, and then cut off the wings at the joints.
- Arrange the turkey slices and wings on a large platter and garnish with some fresh thyme leaves if desired.
- Serve the turkey crown with the gravy and your favorite side dishes, such as roast potatoes, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and cranberry sauce.
- Enjoy your Mary Berry turkey crown recipe!
What Do I Serve With Mary Berry Turkey Crown?
Enhance your Mary Berry Turkey Crown with these classic and complementary side dishes, turning your meal into a festive feast:
- Roast Potatoes: Golden and crispy, these are roasted with a hint of rosemary, making them an irresistible addition to your turkey.
- Savory Stuffing: Opt for a classic sage and onion stuffing or get creative with cranberries and nuts. Whether cooked inside the turkey crown or separately, it adds a rich flavor and texture.
- Brussels Sprouts: Boiled until tender and then sautéed with butter and a sprinkle of nutmeg, they offer a sweet, nutty complement to the savory turkey.
- Glazed Carrots: Tender carrots glazed with honey and tossed with fresh parsley provide a sweet and colorful side that’s both healthy and flavorful.
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce: The tartness and slight sweetness of cranberry sauce cut through the richness of the turkey, offering a balanced and festive flavor.
Pro Tips to Make Perfect Mary Berry Turkey Crown
Elevate your festive meal with a succulent Mary Berry Turkey Crown by following these professional tips:
- Select High-Quality Meat: Opt for a turkey crown from a trusted source, preferably free-range or organic, for the best flavor and texture.
- Thaw Safely: If using a frozen turkey crown, ensure it’s completely thawed in the refrigerator, not at room temperature, to maintain safety and quality.
- Flavorful Infusions: Enhance the taste by slipping butter mixed with herbs, garlic, or citrus zest under the skin, enriching the turkey with succulent flavors.
- Precise Cooking: Use a meat thermometer to check doneness accurately; the turkey is ready when it reaches 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part without touching the bone.
- Rest Before Carving: Allow the turkey to rest for 20 minutes post-roasting to let the juices redistribute, ensuring every slice is tender and moist.
Variations of Mary Berry Turkey Crown
Customize the classic turkey crown with these delightful variations to suit your taste or occasion:
- Bacon Wrapped: Lay strips of bacon over the turkey before roasting for an extra layer of flavor and a crispy finish.
- Mediterranean Twist: Swap butter for olive oil and add lemon juice and zest for a lighter, citrus-infused flavor.
- Autumnal Flavors: Incorporate sage instead of thyme, and mix chopped apples and walnuts among the onions for a festive, fruity touch.
- Elevated Gravy: Experiment by using red currant jelly instead of cranberry sauce and enrich the gravy with a splash of red wine for added depth.
How to Store Mary Berry Turkey Crown Leftovers?
If you have any leftover turkey crown, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Here are some subheadings for storing the turkey crown leftovers:
Refrigerating the Turkey Crown Leftovers
- Let the turkey crown cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator, as this will prevent the growth of bacteria.
- Cut the turkey crown into smaller pieces, and place them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. You can also add some gravy or broth to keep the turkey moist.
- Label the container or bag with the date, and store it in the coldest part of the refrigerator, away from raw meat or seafood.
Freezing the Turkey Crown Leftovers
- Let the turkey crown cool completely before freezing it, as this will prevent the formation of ice crystals.
- Cut the turkey crown into smaller pieces, and place them in a freezer-safe container or a ziplock bag. You can also add some gravy or broth to keep the turkey moist.
- Label the container or bag with the date, and store it in the freezer, away from strong-smelling foods.
How to Reheat Mary Berry Turkey Crown Leftovers?
Ensure your leftover turkey crown is just as delicious as when first served by following these reheating methods:
- Microwave Method: Place turkey slices in a dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in short intervals, stirring occasionally for even warmth.
- Oven Method: Cover the turkey in an oven-safe dish with foil and heat at 180°C (160°C fan, gas mark 4) until thoroughly warmed. Baste with gravy or broth to keep it moist.
- Stovetop Method: Reheat slices in a skillet with a bit of oil or butter, adding a splash of gravy or broth for extra moisture, until golden and heated through.
Nutrition value per serving (based on 10 servings:
- 335 kcal
- 56 g protein
- 7 g carbohydrate (of which 3.5 g sugars)
- 8 g fat (of which 4 g saturates)
- 0.4 g fibre
- 0.9 g salt
FAQs
How do I calculate the cooking time for a turkey crown?
As a general guide, you want to cook a turkey crown for 20 minutes per kg, plus an extra 70 minutes (or 90 minutes if your turkey crown weighs more than 4kg). You can also use a roast calculator to find the exact cooking time based on the weight and type of your turkey crown.
Can I Prepare the Turkey Crown the Night Before?
Yes, you can prepare the turkey crown the night before. You can season it and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Just remember to let it sit at room temperature for an hour or so before cooking to ensure even cooking.
How do I keep the turkey crown moist and flavorful?
There are several ways to keep the turkey crown moist and flavorful, such as:
- Spread some butter and herbs under the skin of the turkey crown before roasting.
- Adding some bacon strips over the turkey crown before roasting, to add some extra flavor and crispiness.
- Basting the turkey crown with the pan juices every 20 minutes during the cooking time.
- Covering the turkey crown loosely with foil if it is browning too quickly.
- Let the turkey crown rest for 20 minutes before carving, to allow the juices to redistribute and the meat to become more tender.
How do I make gravy from the turkey crown pan juices?
To make a gravy from the turkey crown pan juices, you need to:
- Strain the pan juices into a saucepan, discarding the onion wedges, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs1.
- Skim off any excess fat from the surface.
- Whisk in some flour and bring the gravy to a boil, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add some port, stock, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce, and simmer until slightly thickened.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Final Words
I hope you enjoyed this Mary Berry turkey crown recipe and found it easy to follow. This is a great recipe for any festive occasion, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter. It will give you a tender and juicy turkey that is full of flavor and has crispy and delicious skin. You can serve it with a rich and tasty gravy and your favorite side dishes, and enjoy a wonderful meal with your family and friends.
If you liked this recipe, please share it with your friends and leave a comment below. I would love to hear your feedback and suggestions. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I’m always happy to help.
Thank you for reading this article and happy cooking! 😊
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Notes
Prep time: less than 30 minutes Cooking time: about 1 hour and 30 minutes, plus 20 minutes resting time
