The secret to the perfect Christmas Dinner, probably the most anticipated and important meal of the year, is a succulent, Cheshire bred Turkey from Taylors of Sale. The starting point for choosing a turkey is a minimum weight of 3.5KG  (8 lb), anything less and you will almost certainly be disappointed because the bird will be more frame than meat. Taylors will be more than happy to discuss your specific needs and advise you accordingly in relation to size. For the smaller family gathering, and for those that don’t particularly like dark meat, we would always suggest you consider a boned and rolled Cheshire turkey breast, with or without stuffing, which leaves no waste.

Preparing your turkey                           

Remove giblets and store with bird in the fridge or the coolest place possible until needed. Smear butter all over the breasts and cover with Taylor’s Streaky Bacon. Cover breasts loosely with kitchen foil and place in a roasting dish. Cooking times for a pre-heated oven 190C/375F/ Gas Mark 5 see below. Remove foil for last 40 minutes of cooking time to allow the bird to brown. ((180C/350F for Fan Assisted Ovens)

Cheshire turkey

The simple cooking guidelines below have been meticulously researched and tested by the British Turkey Industry. Follow them and you can’t go wrong. Times are for an un-stuffed bird. Cook stuffing separately in a tray or dish.

3.5 KG      2hrs 20 mins
4 KG         2hrs 50 mins
4.5 KG      3hrs
5 KG         3hrs 10 mins
5.5 KG      3hrs 20 mins
6 KG         3hrs 30 mins
6.5 KG      3hrs 40 mins
7 KG         3hrs 50 mins
7.5 KG      4hrs
8 KG         4hrs 10 mins
8.5 KG      4hrs 20 mins
9 KG         4hrs 30 mins

No Christmas dinner would be complete without the essential Taylor’s Pigs in Blankets and Mrs Taylor’s delicious, home-made Pork, Sage & Onion Stuffing. Let the turkey stand for at least 20 minutes before carving, it will not go cold and be so much easier to carve.