Turkey Thigh Slow Cooked in the Oven Recipe
This oven slow-cooked turkey thigh recipe yields tender, flavorful meat with crisp skin, served with a rich vegetable-infused gravy. The turkey is seasoned, placed over chopped vegetables and cooked low and slow in the oven, then finished at a higher temperature for a golden finish. The resting process allows for juicy slices, complemented perfectly by a silky homemade gravy made from the pan juices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey
- 1.25 kg turkey thigh joint
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Plenty of salt and black pepper (to season)
Vegetables
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
Liquids and Thickening
- 250 ml chicken stock (made from a stock pot)
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 2 tbsp cold water
Instructions
- Season: Pat the turkey thigh dry and rub all over with olive oil, salt, and black pepper to ensure it is well-seasoned.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 150°C fan to prepare for slow cooking.
- Prepare Vegetables: Roughly chop carrots and onion and place them into a deep ovenproof dish.
- Arrange Turkey: Place the seasoned turkey thigh directly on top of the chopped vegetables in the dish.
- Add Stock: Pour the chicken stock into the dish, covering the vegetables but not the turkey skin.
- Cover: Tightly cover the dish with foil to trap steam and moisture during cooking.
- Slow Cook: Cook in the oven at 150°C fan for 3 hours, basting the turkey halfway through to keep it moist.
- Increase Heat: Remove the foil and increase oven temperature to 180°C fan.
- Crisp Skin: Return the turkey to the oven for 20 minutes or until the skin turns golden and crisp.
- Rest: Transfer the turkey to a chopping board, cover loosely with foil, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes to retain juices.
- Prepare Gravy: While the turkey rests, mash the cooked vegetables into the pan juices using a masher.
- Strain Gravy: Sieve the liquid to remove lumps, then pour the gravy into a saucepan.
- Thicken Gravy: Mix cornflour and cold water to create a slurry, whisk it into the gravy, and bring to a boil stirring until thickened.
- Serve: Slice the turkey to your preferred thickness and serve with the homemade gravy alongside your favorite roast dinner sides.
Notes
- Ensure the turkey thigh is completely dry before seasoning for better skin crispiness.
- Basting halfway through cooking keeps the turkey moist and flavorful.
- Resting the turkey is key to ensuring juicy slices.
- The vegetable mash in the gravy adds depth of flavor; do not discard.
- Use a fan oven for even heat distribution during slow cooking and crisping.
Keywords: turkey thigh, slow cooked turkey, oven roasted turkey, turkey gravy, roast dinner main dish, comfort food poultry
