Can You Steam a Turkey? How to Cook a Juicy and Tender Bird in Your Steam Oven

Steaming a turkey in a steam oven is absolutely possible and can result in an incredibly moist, tender and flavorful holiday bird. With the right technique, a steamed turkey can be just as delicious as a traditionally roasted one, with some distinct advantages.

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about steaming a turkey in a steam oven including

• Benefits of steaming vs roasting
• Tips for choosing the right size turkey
• Step-by-step instructions
• Recipe ideas and flavor variations
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them

So if you’re wondering how to steam a turkey this holiday season read on for pro tips and techniques!

Why Steam a Turkey in a Steam Oven?

Steaming a turkey offers a few key benefits over traditional roasting methods

• Moisture retention – The humid environment of a steam oven allows the turkey to cook gently and evenly, keeping it incredibly moist and tender. No more dry, overcooked breast meat!

• Shorter cook times – A steamed turkey cooks in about half the time of a roasted bird, meaning you can free up precious oven space on busy holidays.

• Easy clean up – With steam cooking, there’s no messy turkey pan to scrub. Just a quick wipe down of the oven interior after cooking.

• Potentially better flavor – Some people find a steamed turkey to be more tender and flavorful. The meat soaks up all those lovely turkey juices as it steams.

Of course, steaming does produce a turkey with pale, un-browned skin. But it’s easy to quickly crisp up the skin at the end under the broiler if a golden turkey is a must.

Choosing the Right Size Turkey for Steaming

When steaming a turkey, smaller is better.

Overly large birds (18 lbs and up) will be difficult to cook evenly with steam alone. Aim for a turkey between 10-15 lbs, which will cook nicely in under 3 hours using a combination of steam and dry heat.

If cooking for a crowd, you can always prepare two smaller birds rather than one giant one. Multiple smaller turkeys will cook more evenly throughout.

Organic and free range turkeys are ideal, since their texture and flavor benefit greatly from gentle steaming. Avoid the temptation to buy a frozen bargain bird, as these tend to be much lower quality.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Steaming a Turkey

Steaming a turkey is simple with just a few basic steps:

1. Prepare the Turkey

• Remove giblets and neck from cavities. Rinse bird inside and out with cold water, then pat very dry with paper towels.

• Liberally season the cavity and outer skin with salt and pepper. Consider adding aromatics like chopped herbs, citrus wedges, garlic cloves or onion chunks inside the cavity.

• Tie legs together with kitchen string. Tuck wing tips under body.

2. Preheat Steam Oven

• Place turkey on a rack inside a stainless steel steaming tray. Make sure rack is raised above the bottom so steam can circulate underneath.

• Preheat oven to 250°F on 100% steam setting.

3. Steam the Turkey

• Place turkey in oven and steam for approximately 1 hour per 5 lbs, until an instant read thermometer registers 155°F when inserted at the thickest part of the thigh.

• Check the water reservoir occasionally and refill with hot water as needed to keep steam levels constant.

4. Finish and Crisp Skin (Optional)

• Remove turkey from oven once it reaches target temp. Skin will be pale and limp.

• If desired for crisper skin, place under broiler for about 5 minutes until skin browns and crisps up. Watch carefully to avoid burning.

5. Rest, Carve and Serve

• Allow turkey to rest 20-30 minutes before carving, so juices can redistribute through the meat.

• Carve turkey and arrange on a platter. Serve with your favorite holiday sides and sauces. Enjoy your incredibly juicy, fork-tender steamed turkey!

Flavoring Ideas for Steamed Turkey

Plain steamed turkey can be a bit bland. Consider incorporating these easy flavor methods:

• Dry Rub – Coat skin with spices, herbs, citrus zest, ground nuts or seeds before steaming.

• Brining – Soak turkey overnight in a saltwater brine spiked with aromatics. Greatly boosts moisture and flavor.

• Aromatics – Stuff cavity with halved lemons, oranges, onions, garlic, fresh herbs.

• Compound Butter – Slather turkey with flavored butter before/after steaming. Try compounds made with citrus, herbs, honey, spices, etc.

• Basting – During the dry heat finish, frequently baste turkey with melted butter, broth or a sticky glaze.

With the addition of a few simple flavor elements, your steamed turkey will become an absolute showstopper centerpiece.

Common Steamed Turkey Mistakes to Avoid

Steaming a turkey is straightforward, but there are a few pitfalls to watch out for:

• Skipping the dry time after steaming. Don’t rely solely on steam or turkey will be undercooked. Always finish with 30-60 mins of dry roasting heat to ensure food safety.

• Overcrowding the oven. Make sure there’s adequate space for steam to circulate freely around the turkey.

• Not maintaining consistent steam. Check water reservoir frequently and replenish so steam levels don’t drop.

• Cooking from frozen. Always thaw turkey fully in fridge before steaming for food safety and proper cook time.

• Overcooking. Use a meat thermometer and stop steaming at 155°F. Turkey will continue cooking as it rests.

Follow the recommendations in this guide and your steamed turkey will turn out perfectly moist and delicious every time. Avoid the above mistakes for best results.

The Takeaway on Steaming Turkey

Steaming a turkey in a combi steam oven offers many advantages over traditional roasting. The humid environment keeps the meat incredibly moist and tender, while cutting cook times nearly in half.

With the right size bird, some simple flavor additions, and a crisp finish under the broiler, a steamed turkey can absolutely rival the classic oven roasted version in taste and presentation. Just be sure to monitor temperature with a meat thermometer and avoid common pitfalls for the ideal steamed holiday turkey.

So don’t be afraid to ditch the roasting pan and go for steaming this year. Your guests will be amazed at the juiciness and delicious flavor of your steamed turkey!