If you're planning your festive feast and wondering whether a turkey crown might be right for your table, we're here to help. At Copas Farm Shop, we're often asked about turkey crowns — what they are, why you might choose one, and how they compare to a whole bird.

What Exactly is a Turkey Crown?

A turkey crown is a whole turkey with the legs removed, leaving you with the breast meat. It's a hand-prepared cut that keeps the backbone and wings, giving you the benefits of roasting a traditional bird in a more compact form.

You get plenty of tender, flavourful white meat without the dark leg meat, making it a good choice for those who prefer breast meat or are cooking for a smaller group. The wings stay on, which helps protect the breast during roasting and adds flavour to your gravy.

Why Choose a Turkey Crown?

Right for smaller gatherings: If you're hosting a more intimate celebration, a crown offers generous portions without the size of a whole bird. Our crowns range from small sizes feeding 6-9 people up to extra-large crowns that serve 15-18 guests.

Easier to cook: With a more even shape than a whole bird, crowns cook well and consistently, giving you tender, juicy meat every time.

Simpler to carve: Without the legs to work around, carving is much easier. You can focus on slicing those breast portions at an angle — great for those who find carving a whole bird tricky.

Saves fridge space: A crown takes up much less room in your fridge than a whole turkey, which helps when you're trying to fit in all those Christmas trimmings.

All white meat: If your family loves breast meat, a crown means everyone gets what they want without waste.

The Copas Difference

Our turkey crowns come from our award-winning heritage bronze turkeys, raised here on our Berkshire farm using traditional farming methods perfected over more than 60 years.

Every Copas turkey crown is:

• Slow-grown to full maturity — We never rush our birds. They're raised outdoors with plenty of space, giving the meat great flavour and texture
• Free-range — Our turkeys live in the English countryside with access to pasture and a natural diet
• Hand-plucked and dry-aged — We use traditional methods including hand-plucking and game-hanging for two weeks, which builds rich, deep flavour
• Hand-prepared — Each crown is carefully prepared by our team

Your crown arrives beautifully boxed with giblets (great for gravy), detailed cooking instructions, and a pop-up timer.

How to Cook Your Turkey Crown

A Copas turkey crown is straightforward to cook:

• No need to flip the bird
• No need to baste
• No need to cover with foil

Season generously with salt, pop in your timer, and roast at 180°C (160°C fan) until the internal temperature reaches 68°C. Then rest it for up to an hour, and you're ready to carve.

We provide full cooking times and instructions with every crown.

What Size Crown Do You Need?

Choosing the right size is straightforward with our guide:

• Small (2-2.99kg): Feeds 6-9 people
• Medium (3.5-4.49kg): Feeds 9-12 people
• Large (4.5-5.49kg): Feeds 12-15 people
• Extra Large (5.5kg+): Feeds 15-18 people

These servings are generous — with a Copas crown, you'll have lovely leftovers for Boxing Day sandwiches. Remember, it's better to go slightly bigger than smaller. Cold turkey is never wasted in our experience, and there's nothing worse than running short on Christmas Day.

Crown or Whole Bird?

Both have their place, and the choice comes down to your preference and the size of your gathering.

Choose a whole turkey if you love the traditional presentation, want dark leg meat alongside the breast, or are feeding a larger crowd.

Choose a turkey crown if you prefer easier cooking and carving, have limited oven or fridge space, or if your guests are white meat fans.

Whether you choose a crown or a whole bird from Copas, you're guaranteed the same quality, flavour, and care.

Turkey Crown FAQs

How long does it take to cook a turkey crown?

Cooking time depends on the weight of your crown. We recommend roasting at 180°C (160°C fan) for about 20 minutes per kg, plus an extra 20 minutes.

Here's what that looks like:

• A 3kg crown takes around 1 hour 20 minutes
• A 4kg crown takes around 1 hour 40 minutes
• A 5kg crown takes around 1 hour 50 minutes

The best way to know your crown is ready? Use a meat thermometer. Pop it into the thickest part of the breast — you're looking for 68°C. Once it hits that temperature, take it out and rest it for 30-60 minutes before carving. Trust us, this resting time makes all the difference. It lets the juices settle back through the meat, giving you tender slices that are easier to carve.

Good news for busy cooks — with a Copas turkey crown, there's no need to baste or cover with foil. Season generously with salt, pop in the timer we provide, and you're sorted. We include detailed cooking instructions with every crown, so you'll have everything you need for a stress-free roast.

What's the difference between a turkey crown and a whole turkey?

A turkey crown is essentially a whole turkey with the legs taken off. You're left with the breast meat on the bone, and the wings stay on too (they help keep the breast moist during cooking and add lovely flavour to your gravy).

A whole turkey is the full bird — crown plus both legs, including the drumsticks and thighs.

So which should you go for?

A turkey crown is great if:

• Your family prefers white breast meat
• You're cooking for 6-18 people
• You want simpler carving (no wrestling with legs!)
• Your fridge or oven space is tight
• You're not keen on the dark meat from the legs

A whole turkey works well if:

• You love having both white and dark meat options
• You're feeding a bigger crowd
• You want that classic whole bird on the table
• Your guests like variety

Ready to Order Your Crown?

Our turkey crowns are available in both free-range bronze and organic bronze varieties, all raised with the same care that has made Copas turkeys a Christmas favourite for over 60 years.

Available fresh for Christmas only, our crowns are delivered straight from our farm to your table.