How to bake turkey crown in oven for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner here. Moist meat when you don’t want to bake a whole bird this year. You can use a dry rub, brine or sliced oranges placed under the skin to make a protein packed holiday meal.
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Are there only a few of you at home this holiday season? Only want a few pieces of roasted turkey to feed everyone? We have been there done that and here to help you out. You can get this smaller portion just as moist and delicious baked in an oven, pressure cooker, slow cooker or air fryer turkey breasts.
What is a Turkey Crown?
This funny name describes the top part of the turkey, consisting of the breast meat still attached to the bone, with the legs and (sometimes) wings removed. It’s a popular choice for smaller gatherings or for those who prefer white meat without the hassle of carving around the extremities. They are also quicker and easier to cook than a whole bird.
You may just call this 2 breasts but this name also makes it sound a bit more royal and fancy don’t you think…..so let’s go with that shall we. 😉 We are making this one roasted in the oven. If you wanted additional pieces you could make air fryer turkey wings for the kiddos at the same time.
Turkey Crown Recipe in Oven
In this case we are going to focus on how to bake these connected breasts until tender and juicy on the inside with crispy skin too. I would say this is my favorite method because I can add our Cornbread Dressing with Jiffy Mix on another rack and serve together!
Ingredient Notes
The typical size is about 7-8 lb for a turkey crown, bone in of course every time. The cook time listed below is for this size so if yours is 1 pound less or more just adjust as necessary.
As far as seasonings you can add basil for flavors, fresh thyme ideally, dried can be used, Salt and black pepper are just basic seasonings
And Butter should be softened to create a spread for the skin
There is another option available as far as the outside is concerned. If you wanted a lower calorie and fat option I would highly suggest our turkey dry rub blend. That will bring a bold sweet and savory mixture to your dish that crisps up nicely as well.
One of the best since you can ensure the inside is super moist while crisping the skin at the end like our Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast. You just need foil and a baking dish with high sides to get started on this.
How Long to Cook Turkey Crown in Oven
You’ll want to keep 2 hours set aside to get this done just right. Like I said, you’ll need to give or take about 20 minutes either way depending on how large yours is, and how hot your oven runs. Believe it or not they aren’t all the same, even if each one was set to the same 390 degrees to begin with.
How to Keep Turkey Crown Moist
If you left it uncovered the whole time it would cook faster, that is true, but it will dry out. By the time you got the middle to reach a safe 165 F internally the skin would be really really browned. Like more than you would want it to be, and the outer meat would be dry. Trust me, this is the way to go.
Ok so if you cook sheet pan turkey every year in the oven you’re going to use the same basic method, except there will be a smaller piece. Instead of a huge roasting pan or one of those throw away aluminum ones you just need a 9×13″ pan really.
Should you cover a turkey crown in foil when cooking?
At first, yes. This is the best way to keep the meat very moist. For the first hour and a half – hour and 40 minutes it should be covered tightly.
Then remove the foil for the last 20 minutes or so to get crispy turkey skin.
How do you know when turkey crown is done?
Check if it is ready by removing the turkey from oven and puncturing the skin. I clear meat juice comes out, the turkey is ready. Use a meat thermometer into the thickest part and ensure it has reached a safe internal meat temperature of 165 F.
Tips
It doesn’t really matter what brand you use whether you want to know How to Cook a Butterball Turkey Breast duo or Honeysuckle brand is great too. Cook time will vary no matter what just a little bit either way you cut it because of how thick your piece might be.
It’s all about the butter herb mix, and keeping it inside a closed pan for the majority of the bake time. A similar idea to our pressure cooker turkey breast, the steam does all the work for you. Getting right inside the middle but not allowing that steam to escape is key.
Turkey Crown Recipe
Equipment
- 1 casserole dish
- aluminum foil
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 390 degrees F. Put soft butter in a bowl and add salt, dried basil, and thyme leaves. Mix the butter with the herbs to make a soft spreading paste. Rinse the turkey crown and pat skin dry with paper towels. Carefully separate the skin from the breast and lift it up.
- Spread under the skin with butter, using a third of the total amount made. Slice the orange into thin slices (about 1/2 inch thick) and place under the skin. Four pieces will be enough, flat and then pull skin back down to cover meat.
- Brush the turkey crown all over with the remaining herb butter and salt. Place in a high side roasting or casserole dish. Pour 1/2 cup of water or broth in the bottom.
- Drizzle the turkey with 1/2 of your orange juiced and place the remaining sliced oranges around the breast. Carefully cover the baking dish with foil and place in the oven.
- Bake for 1 hour 40 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes at an increased temperature of 400 F to obtain a golden crust on top.
- To check if it is ready, puncture the skin and if clear meat juice comes out, the turkey is ready. Use a meat thermometer into the thickest portion and ensure it has reached a safe temp of 165 F.
- Remove, put foil back on top to rest for 15 minutes, then lift and slice, serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Slow Cooker Directions
If you wanted to let this go low and slow during the day you could follow our Slow Cooker Turkey Crown directions. To crisp at all you’d need to broil at the end though in that case.
How to store leftovers
This isn’t any different than the whole bird. You only want to slice what is being served, leave the rest whole to stay moist. Store in a freezer bag with air sucked out in the fridge for up to 3 – 4 days. Then use our favorite all time leftover turkey recipe to use it all up!!
FAQ
I mean it depends on how hungry you and/or your guests are but typically for the 5 of us it is just enough without any leftovers so you need to keep that in mind.
