Celebrate the holiday season and roast dinner gatherings with this exquisite Turkey en Croute. This is a tasty take on the traditional Beef Wellington. The golden, buttery puff pastry, juicy roast turkey breast, and savory stuffing wrapped in streaky bacon are sure to impress your dinner guests. A Turkey Wellington showstopper that simplifies the complex, making you the star of the holiday feast.
The holidays are a time for gathering with loved ones, celebrating traditions, and indulging in delicious food. For many families, the centerpiece of a holiday feast is a golden brown turkey, roasted to perfection But this year, why not take your turkey up a notch and wow your guests by serving it in an elegant crust? Turkey and stuffing en croute elevates this hearty classic to new heights
What is Turkey En Croute?
Turkey en croute is a showstopping dish that envelops sliced turkey breast and savory stuffing in flaky puff pastry. It is then baked until the pastry is golden and crisp.
This impressive entree takes its inspiration from classic French cuisine. It is reminiscent of beef Wellington, but with succulent turkey as the star ingredient. The result is a visually stunning main course with delightful contrasts of texture and flavor in each bite. The light and buttery puff pastry provides a crunchy exterior that gives way to the moist, tender turkey and rich stuffing inside.
Making turkey en croute allows you to prepare the turkey ahead of time, saving you effort on the big day Rather than roasting and carving a whole bird, this recipe lets you cook turkey breast fillets, slice them, fill with stuffing, wrap in pastry, and simply bake to warm It delivers an elegant presentation while being easy to assemble.
Benefits of Preparing Turkey This Way
There are many advantages to cooking your holiday turkey in en croute form
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Easy to make – Once the turkey is cooked, assembly is straightforward. No fancy culinary skills required.
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Eye-catching presentation – Your guests will be impressed when you bring the pastry wrapped turkey to the table.
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Moist and flavorful – The stuffing locks in moisture and provides another layer of flavor. No dried out meat here!
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Makes great leftovers – Slices of turkey en croute pair nicely with cranberry sauce for tasty sandwiches the next day.
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Adaptable – Use different stuffings or meats in the pastry shell for customization.
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Freezer-friendly – Fully assembled uncooked en croute can be frozen for cooking later.
Step-By-Step Instructions
While it looks complex, turkey en croute is surprisingly uncomplicated to put together. Here is an overview of how to make it:
Ingredients Needed
- Turkey breast fillets
- Stuffing of your choice (we recommend sage and onion)
- Bacon rashers
- Puff pastry sheets
- Egg wash
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
Steps to Assemble
- Cook the turkey breast fillets until just done then slice into strips. Allow to cool.
- Prepare your favorite stuffing recipe. Allow to cool.
- Layer the sliced turkey and stuffing down the center of a puff pastry sheet.
- Top with bacon rashers.
- Brush the edges of the pastry with egg wash then fold over and seal.
- Brush egg wash on the top and decorate with herbs if desired.
- Bake at 400°F for 30-45 minutes until golden brown.
- Let rest 10 minutes before slicing to serve.
And that’s all there is to it! With just a few easy steps, you can create an elegant entree that looks like you slaved away when really it came together with ease.
Cooking Tips
Follow these tips for perfect turkey en croute every time:
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Ensure puff pastry is properly thawed before using. Let sit at room temperature 30 mins before assembling.
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Brush with egg wash pre-baking for a shiny, golden crust.
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Use thick turkey breast cuts and slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.
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Don’t overstuff the pastry or it may burst while baking. About 1 1⁄2 cups filling is ideal.
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If pastry browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil during baking.
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Allow to rest 10 minutes post-oven for clean slicing and a stable interior.
Serving Suggestions
Turkey en croute is delicious on its own but can be served with various holiday favorites:
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Rich turkey gravy – Drizzle over slices for classic pairing.
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Cranberry sauce – Provides a tangy contrast to the pastry and turkey.
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Roasted vegetables – Brussels sprouts, carrots, and other seasonal veggies complement nicely.
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Mashed potatoes – Smooth, creamy potatoes pair wonderfully with the crispy puff pastry.
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Pumpkin pie – Finish the meal on a sweet note with a slice of pie.
Make Ahead and Freezing Tips
One of the best things about turkey en croute is it can be prepared in advance:
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Assemble 1 day before needed and refrigerate raw until ready to bake.
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Fully assembled uncooked en croute can be frozen for 1 month. Thaw overnight in fridge before baking.
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Leftover cooked slices also freeze well. Reheat gently in oven or microwave.
Prepping ahead saves you time on the big day so you can relax and enjoy the holiday rather than slaving in the kitchen.
Elevate Your Holiday Table
If you are looking for a creative, elegant twist on holiday turkey this year, turkey and stuffing en croute is sure to impress. Surprise your family and guests with your culinary prowess while enjoying a delicious meal that brings together flavors and textures perfectly. This will surely become your new favorite holiday tradition!
What Makes This Recipe Great!
- Impress your guests with a beautiful centerpiece that’s simple to make—perfect for hosts who are short on time.
- Moisture Guaranteed: No more dry turkey! This recipe locks in moisture so the meat is always tender and juicy.
- You can make this ahead of time and freeze the whole Turkey En Croute without baking it until you’re ready to eat it. Cook it straight from frozen.
Step-By-Step Guide – How To Make Turkey En Croute – Turkey Wellington
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Start by preheating your oven to 190°C (375°F).
Step 2: Prepare the Pastry
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out your puff pastry into two rectangles. One should be slightly larger than the other. If the puff pastry is already rolled out, cut it in half and gently roll out one half to make it a little bigger.
- Place the smaller piece that will be the bottom layer on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.
Step 3: Assemble the Filling
- Spread the turkey steaks out on the smaller piece of pastry, leaving some space around the edges.
- Make sure the stuffing covers the whole turkey by spreading it out evenly.
- Place the streaky bacon rashers on top of the stuffing, making sure they overlap a bit.
Step 4: Seal the Parcel
- Brush the exposed edge of the pastry with beaten egg.
- Carefully put the bigger piece of pastry on top and press it down to close the package. Cut off any extra dough to make a neat line about 2 cm wide.
- Crimp the edges of the dough with a fork to seal them. This makes the seal around the edge of the pastry tighter, so the filling doesn’t leak out.
Step 5: Prepare for Baking
- Make criss-cross cuts in the top of the pastry with a sharp knife to let steam escape while it’s baking.
- To make the package look beautiful, brush the whole outside with beaten egg.
Step 6: Bake Your Turkey En Croute
- Put your turkey en croute that is ready in an oven that is already hot for 30 minutes.
Step 7: Foil Covering
- After 30 minutes, take the package out of the oven and loosely cover it with foil to keep it from browning too much.
- Put the package back in the oven for another 45 minutes.
Step 8: Rest and Serve
- Take your turkey en croute out of the oven when it’s done. Carefully take off the foil and let it rest for a few minutes before cutting it up and serving it.
- Gravy: Pour a thick, tasty gravy over the top and serve. An old addition that makes the turkey and puff pastry taste better You are welcome to pick a turkey gravy or any other kind you like.
- Cranberry Sauce: A small amount of homemade cranberry sauce goes well with the flavors of the dish and adds a little sweetness.
- Pumpkin: Pumpkin mashed potatoes are a great side dish to serve with turkey en croute. The combination of textures and flavours works wonderfully.
- Roasted Vegetables: A mix of roasted vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, carrots, and parsnips, makes the plate look nice and is good for you.
- Green beans: Green beans that are steamed or sautéed go well with the rich turkey and pastry because they are fresh and crisp.
- Herb Butter: To add even more flavor, put a pat of herb-infused butter on top of the turkey en croute.
- Red Wine: To go with the steak, serve it with a glass of red wine, like a Pinot Noir or Merlot.
My Personal Thanksgiving Dinner (Featuring Trader Joe’s Turkey & Stuffing En Croute)
FAQ
What is the difference between En Croute and Wellington?
Is it OK to stuff a turkey with stuffing?
Can you cook stuffing and turkey at the same time?
Are you supposed to cook the stuffing before putting it in?