Confused by conflicting advice on turkey cooking times

[NoseyNooNoo]

I watched Jamie last night for my Christmas cooking tips. He indicated that a quality slow-reared bird takes a much shorter time to cook than a 'standard turkey'.

So, on his calculations, my 4kg free-range farm-bought bronze turkey would need just 2 hours to cook as opposed to 3.5-4 that I'd planned.

Can anyone clarify this for me?

Would seem to be 2 hours based on the Kelly Bronze site.

link

Scroll down and cooking times are on left.

Buy a probe thingy that tells you when the bird is done, that's the safest option.

Standard supermarket turkeys are probably full of extra water - that would add to the cooking time.

I am unsure about cooking times too. I have ordered a m and s one from their christmas catalogue . It is a turkey joint. Think 1.2kg. Do they give you instructions when you pick it up? Also can you reheat turkey as we have to go out visiting all morning? Thanks x

A slow reared bird cooks quicker as it has more fat marbling and so the heat penetrates more easily.

Kelly Bronze site also recommends a lower temperature with the meat thermometer to indicate that it is cooked IIRC.

well don't go by the way I was working it out for you.

I made it cook in 29 minutes!

Thanks for your help - great link!

That is a great link - thanks!

It is just for Kelly bronze but I'm going to use their timings for a supermarket bought free range bronze bird. The meat thermometers are great too, if you get a Kelly bronze you get a free meat thermometer, my mum has quite a few now so I've acquired one of those.

Nigella concurs with Jamie :)

2 hours for a 4kg bird.

hi, i've been cooking kelly bronze for several years & they definitely don't need the 'traditional' lengthy cooking times. If you've got a kelly bronze, follow their instructions, start breast down, use the thermometer & you won't go wrong - delicious. I've a dilemma this year as i've bought a free range bronze from a local supplier but after much websearching i'm going to follow the kelly route anyway, wish me luck plse! Merry christmas dinner to everyone. pete