Breaking the bird down into its primal cuts allows the meat to cook more evenly, and in half the time. It also frees up more space in the oven—enough to cook as many as three turkeys at once—while you simultaneously simmer the carcass into a quick stock for gravy.
Cooking a whole turkey can be challenging. It’s a large, awkward bird that requires carefully monitoring to prevent over or undercooking. Many home cooks find breaking down the turkey into smaller parts makes the roasting process much easier. Read on to learn how long to cook cut up turkey pieces in the oven.
Benefits of Cooking Cut Up Turkey
There are several advantages to preparing cut up turkey parts rather than wrestling a 20 pound whole bird into the oven.
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Shorter cook times Turkey parts cook much faster than a full turkey which needs 3-4 hours in the oven Breasts may take only 1-2 hours while legs and thighs need up to 2 1/2 hours maximum. Wings cook quickly in just 1 1/2 hours.
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Better temperature control With a whole turkey, it’s tricky getting the white and dark meat to their ideal finished temperatures Separating the pieces allows monitoring and adjusting cook times for the breast, legs, thighs and wings independently.
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Easier handling. A large whole turkey can be heavy and unwieldy to get in and out of the oven. Smaller turkey parts are lighter and easier to maneuver.
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More flexible. Cook some parts one day and save others for later meals. Make a quick turkey breast for sandwiches or serve legs and wings for dinner.
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Less waste. With parts, it’s easier to gauge portions and cook only what you need rather than having lots of leftovers from a huge bird.
How to Cut Up a Raw Turkey
You can ask your butcher to cut up the turkey for you. If you want to DIY, here are the basic steps:
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Remove the legs and wings by cutting through the joints attaching them to the body.
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Separate the drumsticks from the thighs by slicing between the joints.
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Cut the breast meat away from the bone by running a knife along the breastbone. Remove in one or two pieces.
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Slice the backbone away from the carcass and remove it. Reserve it to make stock.
Seasoning Turkey Parts
Turkey can be bland, but it doesn’t have to be with these easy seasoning techniques:
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Dry poultry seasoning – Classic herb blends add great flavor. Rub it under the skin before roasting.
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Brining – Soaking turkey parts in a seasoned brine infuses flavor and keeps meat moist.
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Aromatic vegetables – Placing onions, carrots, celery and herbs in the cavity or roasting pan imparts flavor.
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Fresh herbs – Stuff herbs under skin or in cavity. Chopped soft herbs make a bright garnish.
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Compound butter – Coat turkey with flavored butter before and during cooking. Try compounds made with citrus, herbs or spices.
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Spice rubs – For bolder flavor, coat with blends featuring garlic, chili powder, cumin, curry or jerk seasoning.
How Long to Cook Cut Up Turkey Pieces
Cooking times vary based on size and shape of the parts. Use an instant read thermometer to test doneness instead of cook times alone. Minimum safe temperature for turkey is 165°F.
Turkey Breasts – Roast bone-in breasts at 325°F for 1-2 hours until 165°F. Boneless takes 40-60 minutes.
Turkey Legs – Roast at 325°F until 170-175°F, about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Turkey Wings – Bake at 350°F for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until 165°F.
Turkey Thighs – Roast bone-in, skin-on thighs at 350°F until 175°F, about 75-90 minutes.
Cooking Methods for Cut Up Turkey
You don’t have to oven roast turkey parts. Consider these alternate cooking methods:
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Grill – Get crispy skin and smoky flavor grilling over indirect heat at 325°F. Great for bone-in breasts, thighs, legs or wings.
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Smoke – Slow smoke legs, thighs or wings at low heat until fall-apart tender, around 325°F.
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Poach – Gently cook boneless, skinless breasts in simmering broth or water. Use for soups, sandwiches etc.
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Sous vide – Cook super moist and tender turkey breasts at 145°F for 2-5 hours depending on thickness.
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Braise – Braise legs or thighs in broth, wine and veggies until fork tender.
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Pan fry – Fry bone-in parts or cutlets for crispy, juicy meat.
Tips for Roasting Cut Up Turkey in the Oven
If oven roasting cut up turkey parts, follow these tips:
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Use a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet with a rack to elevate the turkey. Airflow is key for evenly cooked, crispy skin.
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Roast turkey pieces on separate pans or with space between for even cooking.
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Brine the turkey parts before roasting for extra juicy meat.
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Rub the turkey all over with oil or butter and season generously with salt and pepper.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check temperature a few degrees before target. Carryover cooking will finish it.
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Let roasted turkey rest at least 15 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.
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Make gravy from the drippings like you would for a whole turkey.
The Takeaway
Cooking cut up turkey parts instead of a full bird makes the roasting process much more manageable. With different cook times and temperatures, you can ensure the breast, thighs, drumsticks and wings all turn out perfectly cooked and delicious.
Step 1Preheat the oven to 450°.In a large roasting pan, arrange the turkey pieces, leaving space between them. Tuck the shallots, carrots, and garlic in the between the meat pieces, then sprinkle everything with the salt, sage, thyme, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Drizzle the olive oil all over and rub the turkey pieces to thoroughly coat. Transfer to the oven and cook until browned, 25-30 minutes. Lower the heat to 400° and continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest point in each piece of meat registers 165°, about 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 450°.In a large roasting pan, arrange the turkey pieces, leaving space between them. Tuck the shallots, carrots, and garlic in the between the meat pieces, then sprinkle everything with the salt, sage, thyme, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Drizzle the olive oil all over and rub the turkey pieces to thoroughly coat. Transfer to the oven and cook until browned, 25-30 minutes. Lower the heat to 400° and continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest point in each piece of meat registers 165°, about 20-30 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the meat rest for 15 minutes.
- Transfer to a cutting board, then slice the breast meat against the grain. Transfer all of the pieces to a large platter with the roasted vegetables and serve immediately.
Break down the bird for better results, in half the time.
- Servesserves 8-10
- Time1 hour 30 minutes
Updated on March 29, 2021
- 1 whole turkey, wings, legs, and breast meat removed
- 4 whole medium shallots, halved
- 5 whole medium carrots, halved lengthwise
- 4 cloves garlic, halved
- 2 tbsp. kosher salt
- 1 tbsp. fresh sage, minced
- 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, minced
- 1 tsp. finely ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. sweet smoked paprika
- 1⁄2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Updated on March 29, 2021
Breaking the bird down into its primal cuts allows the meat to cook more evenly, and in half the time. It also frees up more space in the oven—enough to cook as many as three turkeys at once—while you simultaneously simmer the carcass into a quick stock for gravy.
What You Will Need
- Servesserves 8-10
- Time1 hour 30 minutes
- 1 whole turkey, wings, legs, and breast meat removed
- 4 whole medium shallots, halved
- 5 whole medium carrots, halved lengthwise
- 4 cloves garlic, halved
- 2 tbsp. kosher salt
- 1 tbsp. fresh sage, minced
- 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, minced
- 1 tsp. finely ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. sweet smoked paprika
- 1⁄2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
F*ck The Whole Bird, I Cook My Turkey Like This Now
FAQ
How long does a cut-up turkey take to cook?
Place turkey on top of rack on top of vegetables, trying to leave a little space between the turkey pieces. Roast turkey until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a breast piece registers 150°F (66°C), 2 to 3 hours total.
What temperature to cook a deconstructed turkey?
- Preheat oven to 425°F. …
- Remove turkey parts from brine, pat dry with paper towels, and place, skin side up, on racks set in 2 medium roasting pans (be sure to leave space between parts for air circulation). …
- Lower heat to 400°F, switch positions of pans, and rotate each pan 180°.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.Nov 6, 2024
How long to heat up sliced turkey?
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F.
- Slice the turkey and spread into a baking dish. …
- Cover the turkey with broth and dot with the butter. …
- Reheat in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes. …
- Serving.
How long does it take to cook a Turkey in the oven?
Shorter cook times. Turkey parts require far less time in the oven than a whole turkey. Breasts may take only an hour or two while legs and thighs need up to 2 1/2 hours. Wings cook quickly in just 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
How long does it take to roast a Turkey?
Making oven-roasted turkey parts offers many advantages over wrestling with a whole bird: Cooks faster – Pieces roast in about half the time of a full turkey. Legs and thighs take only 1-1.5 hours while boneless breasts may need up to 2 hours.
How long do you cook a cut-up turkey breast?
When cooking a cut-up turkey breast, the general rule is to cook it for about 20 minutes per pound at 350°F. However, it’s important to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and ensure it reaches 165°F before serving. 2. Can I cook the turkey pieces in a slow cooker? Yes, you can definitely cook cut-up turkey in a slow cooker.
How long do you cook turkey thighs in the oven?
Add the turkey legs after the breast has been in the oven for 30 minutes, then after another 30 minutes add the thighs so they’re done at about the same time. Be sure to leave enough room around each piece (about an inch) so the parts roast evenly. Put 1 and 1/2 cups of turkey or chicken broth in the bottom of the pan.
How do you cook a deconstructed Turkey?
A deconstructed turkey has been broken down into its individual pieces: breast, legs and wings. You can cook them all together in a roasting pan as we describe below or use different cooking methods for each part. Roast the legs while you slow cook the breast, or braise the thighs on the stovetop to free up the oven for side dishes.
How long do you cook a Turkey at 155 degrees?
Drizzle turkey with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Roast turkey pieces until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part, but not touching bone, registers 155°F in breast and 172ºF in thighs and drumsticks; about 1¼–1½ hours. Remove and transfer individual turkey pieces to a cutting board as they reach ideal internal temperature.