How to Cook Your Eversfield Organic Turkey

If you're as thrilled about your Eversfield Organic Turkey as we are, follow our step-by-step guide to make sure your masterpiece turns out juicy, tender, and downright irresistible!

Step 1: Take it out of the fridge or freezer
If your turkey is in the fridge, take it out as soon as you’re up on Christmas morning to let it reach room temperature. This helps the meat relax and makes for a juicier bird in the end.

If your turkey’s still in the freezer, planning a controlled defrosting is important to ensure even cooking and food safety. For best results, allow 24 hours of thawing time in the refrigerator for every 2.5 kg of meat. For this means you should allow approximately 2 to 3 days for the roast to thaw in the fridge fully.

Here are a few additional tips to ensure your roast thaws properly:

• Keep it in the original packaging while thawing to prevent any potential contamination or mess from leaking juices.
• Place the roast on a tray or in a shallow dish to catch any liquid that might escape as it defrosts.
• Ensure your refrigerator stays at or below 4°C

Avoid thawing the roast on the countertop at room temperature, as this can lead to uneven thawing.

Around half an hour before you want to begin cooking, preheat your oven to ensure the bird enters at the correct temperature and cooking times are followed precisely.

Step 3: Season your turkey
Rub the turkey generously with butter and season with salt, pepper, and a good amount of garlic. Adding a few sprigs of rosemary will enhance the aroma and flavour. Aim to coat the turkey evenly so that the seasoning infuses well during roasting.

Our organic turkeys contain natural layers of intramuscular fat, allowing for a quicker cooking process compared to conventional birds. Refer to our guideline cooking times below to achieve perfectly tender and juicy results.

 Cooking Times

When cooking at the suggested temperature of 180°C / gas mark 4, we like to follow the general rule of 40 minutes per kilogram (kg) up to 4kg, before adding an additional 45 minutes per kg after this point. 

Here are the approximate roasting times for different sizes of turkey at 180°C (350°F):

 

Boned and Rolled Turkey Weight (kg)	Roasting Time (hours)
2 kg	1.5 - 2
4 kg	2.5 - 3



Turkey Crown Weight (kg)	Roasting Time (hours)
3-4 kg	1.75 - 2.25
4-5 kg	2.25 - 2.75
5-6 kg	2.75 - 3.25

 

 

Step 5: Precautions

While our guide times should help you achieve a fabulous turkey, it's important to remember that all ovens can vary, especially fan-assisted ones. To ensure your turkey is cooked perfectly, we recommend using a thermometer probe throughout the process, starting halfway through the suggested cooking time. This will help you avoid any mishaps and ensure the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) for at least 3 minutes.

Please note that, due to the turkey being organic, it may have a stronger aroma than conventional birds. This is completely normal and is a sign of the rich, natural flavours

Step 6: Allow resting time
After ensuring that your bird is perfectly cooked, allow it to rest uncovered for at least half an hour (don't worry it won't go cold). This will result in juicy, tender meat.

Once your turkey is perfectly cooked and ready to serve, take a moment to admire your masterpiece. The golden, crispy skin and tender, juicy meat are a true testament to your culinary skills. As you carve into it and serve it up, don't forget to pour yourself a drink—whether it's a glass of wine, a festive cocktail, or your favourite holiday brew. You've earned it! Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the delicious rewards of your hard work with good food, good company, and a drink in hand. Cheers to a feast well done!

 

Merry Christmas From The Eversfield Team