Best answer: Can you cook a turkey breast on its side?

The United States Department of Agriculture advises to cook a whole turkey breast side up during the entire cooking time. Turning over a large, hot bird can be dangerous and it’s very easy to tear the skin, making the finished product less attractive.

How do you keep a turkey breast upright?

If the turkey breast won’t stay upright in the roasting pan, take two or three feet of aluminum foil, wad it up and partially stuff into the turkey’s chest cavity to create a “stand” to keep the breast steady.

Does it matter which way you cook a turkey?

Flip the bird over and roast it breast-side down. While this technique won’t give you a picture-perfect turkey, it will protect the white meat from drying out, while cooking the thigh meat faster. Roasting a turkey upside down is just as simple as it sounds.

Should I put butter on my turkey?

Don’t butter your bird



Placing butter under the skin won’t make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.

Do I need to flip my turkey?

Cook the bird upside down, meaning the breast meat down, then flip it halfway through based on your estimation. If you are using a kettle and have all of your charcoal on one side of the grill, you will also want to rotate the turkey when you flip it so that it doesn’t overcook on one side.

Do you put water in pan when cooking turkey breast?

We recommend leaving your turkey un-stuffed and un-trussed, both because it’s easier and because the turkey will cook more evenly. Add liquid to the roasting pan. When ready to roast, pour the broth or water into the roasting pan. Place the turkey in the oven and turn down the heat.

Do you have to remove anything from a turkey breast before cooking?

If you would like to prepare your turkey breast without skin, now is a good time to remove it. Using a slicing knife and your fingers, carefully peel back the skin and discard. Although this step is optional, it may make the deboning process easier.

How long should turkey breast sit before cooking?

Your turkey will cook more evenly and faster if you start it out at room temperature so remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting. If you plan to stuff your turkey, wait until you’re ready to put it in the oven before putting the stuffing in the turkey.

What’s the temperature to cook a turkey?

Stick with a temperature of 325°F, which ensures the turkey gets cooked all the way without becoming overdone.