Make Your Norfolk Bronze Turkey the Star of Christmas Lunch – Including Our Top Tips for Great Gravy!

What better way to make the most of a cosy countryside Christmas than with a Norfolk Bronze turkey? The perfect centrepiece for any festive dinner table, this impressive bird is locally sourced, full of flavour and steeped in heritage. So, whether you’re hosting family or friends, there’ll be plenty to go around!

We’ve put together some of the best tips and ideas to help make your turkey, gravy and trimmings unforgettable this Christmas.

Why Norfolk Bronze Turkey?

This delicious Christmas classic boasts a mild gamey flavour compared to standard white turkeys. The Norfolk Bronze turkey is known for its rich, more intense taste and succulent meat, partly due to its slow-growing nature and free-range lifestyle.

What’s more, it’s locally sourced and stocked right here at Goodies Food Hall, so you know where your meat has come from and that it’s top quality.

Depending on the size of your Christmas Day guest list (or how many turkey sandwiches you plan to eat on Boxing Day), you may need a smaller or larger turkey. We order turkeys for individual customers based on the right size for you and your guests.  

Preparing the Turkey

Preparation is key to the perfect Christmas Day turkey, so dressing your unfeathered friend accordingly will make for a more delicious result.

As well as seasoning the outside of the turkey, remember that goodness comes from within! Why not try mixing some butter with herbs of your choice and spreading this under the skin to enhance flavour and skin crispiness?

You may also want to fill your turkey with stuffing or other seasonings, allowing all the spices and flavours to seep into the meat and make magic.

Roasting Tips

After seasoning the turkey to your heart’s content, it’s time to get cooking. Place some foil over your roasting tin, sit the turkey on top, and then fold the foil up and over the turkey, making sure to leave an air gap between the foil and the turkey. 

Roasting time will then depend on the size and weight of your turkey, so it’s important to double-check cooking instructions for your particular bird. A general rule of thumb to follow is 20 minutes per lb. However, we always recommend using a meat thermometer to be sure your turkey reaches the right temperature.

The ideal temperature for a Norfolk Bronze turkey after resting for 30 minutes is 60℃, and you should always check your turkey is cooked through – you can always roast it for longer if needed.

Perfect Gravy Tips

The cooking juices from your turkey will be liquid gold when making next-level gravy. Leave this liquid to cool and allow the fat to rise to the top, then scoop off the fat and use the remaining juices to make your gravy.

Collect your pan drippings and deglaze these with stock or wine of your choice. Whisk in some flour and simmer for a smooth, rich gravy. Why not add some herbs and a dash of cranberry jelly or port for a festive flavour?

A perfectly roasted Norfolk Bronze turkey paired with a rich gravy made from the drippings and your choice of wintery seasoning ingredients makes for a truly memorable Christmas lunch.

Not only do we stock these gorgeous turkeys right here at Goodies Food Hall, but we also have all the festive essentials and premium ingredients you need for a delicious Christmas lunch.

Download our Norfolk Bronze turkey order form.

Pop in and see us soon!