Steaming Turkey Perfection With Wolf Ovens

Cooking a turkey in a Wolf steam oven is a great way to ensure a delicious, juicy bird that's cooked through. Wolf ovens offer a range of settings to cook the perfect turkey, including the Convection Bake Mode for a brined turkey and the Convection Roast Mode for an unbrined bird. The Convection Humid setting at 350 degrees Fahrenheit is also recommended for a traditional turkey. The Wolf Convection Steam Oven can accommodate a large bird, so it's perfect for cooking for a big family gathering.

Pre-roast preparation: brine or dry brine your turkey 12-15 hours before roasting

To prepare your turkey for roasting in a Wolf steam oven, it is recommended to brine or dry brine it 12-15 hours before roasting. This involves mixing 1/2 gallon of apple cider, 2 gallons of cold water, 1 1/2 cups of kosher salt, and 1/2 cup of firmly packed brown sugar in a large clean 5-gallon bucket until fully dissolved. Then, place the whole turkey (any size, fresh or thawed, and cleaned) in the brine, cover, and refrigerate in a Sub-Zero refrigerator or outside if the temperature is between 20-40°F (-7-4°C).

If you don't have time for this step, it is recommended to use the CONVECTION ROAST mode on your Wolf oven instead.

Another option is to dry brine your turkey by rubbing salt on it the night before cooking. This method is recommended by Subzero and Wolf and can result in a moister, more flavorful bird, although it may make it harder to achieve crispy skin.

On the roasting day, remember to preheat your Wolf oven accordingly and ensure you have prepared any butter and herb mixtures to tuck under the skin of the turkey breast before placing it on the roasting rack.

Oven settings: use the Wolf oven's bake mode for a brined turkey, and the convection roast mode for an unbrined turkey

Oven settings for cooking turkey in a Wolf steam oven

Wolf ovens offer different settings for cooking a brined turkey and an unbrined turkey.

Bake mode for a brined turkey

If you have a brined turkey, preheat your Wolf oven in BAKE mode at 325°F (163°C). Rinse the turkey with cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Mix butter and herbs and gently tuck the mixture under the skin over the turkey breast. Place the turkey, breast side up, on a roasting rack on the roasting pan. Insert a temperature probe into the turkey thigh and set it to 180°F (82°C). Roast until the temperature probe indicates that the desired temperature has been reached. Remove the probe and insert it into the other thigh to ensure the internal temperature has reached 180°F. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest, uncovered, for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The cooking time in BAKE mode will be approximately 10-15 minutes per pound, but this may vary depending on factors such as the weight and initial temperature of the turkey.

Convection roast mode for an unbrined turkey

If you don't have time to brine your turkey, it is recommended to use the CONVECTION ROAST mode. Preheat your Wolf oven to 300°F (149°C). Follow similar preparation steps as the bake mode: rinse the turkey, pat it dry, and mix butter and herbs under the skin. Place the turkey, breast side up, on a roasting rack. Insert the temperature probe into the turkey thigh and set it to 180°F (82°C). Roast until the temperature probe indicates that the desired temperature has been reached. Remove the probe and insert it into the other thigh to ensure the internal temperature has reached 180°F. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest, uncovered, for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The cooking time in CONVECTION ROAST mode is approximately 10-15 minutes per pound, but this may vary depending on the weight and initial temperature of the turkey.

Additional tips

Basting the turkey is optional in both the bake and convection roast modes. If you choose to baste, do so no more than once every half hour. Additionally, when using the Wolf M Series Oven with Gourmet Mode, you can select the "Poultry" option and specify whether your turkey is brined or unbrined.

Oven temperature: set the oven to 325°F (163°C) for bake mode, and 300°F (149°C) for convection roast mode

Oven temperature is a crucial aspect of cooking a turkey, and the Wolf oven offers both bake mode and convection roast mode with specific temperature settings for optimal results.

When using the Wolf oven in bake mode to cook a turkey, it is recommended to set the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C). This temperature setting is ideal for cooking a brined turkey. The bake mode in an oven typically utilises both the top and bottom heating elements to cook food evenly. It is a conventional cooking method suitable for a variety of dishes, including cakes, cookies, and casseroles.

By setting the Wolf oven to 325°F (163°C) in bake mode, you can ensure that your brined turkey cooks thoroughly and efficiently. The temperature range allows for even heat distribution, ensuring that the turkey cooks evenly throughout.

On the other hand, if you are short on time and choose not to brine your turkey, the Wolf oven's convection roast mode is a suitable alternative. In this mode, it is recommended to set the oven temperature to 300°F (149°C). Convection roast mode differs from bake mode in that it employs a fan to circulate hot air around the food. This results in faster and more even cooking, making it ideal for roasting meats.

The Wolf oven's convection roast mode at 300°F (149°C) ensures that your unbrined turkey cooks efficiently, yielding a crispy exterior and moist interior. The lower temperature compared to bake mode takes into account the additional heat generated by the convection process, ensuring the turkey doesn't overcook.

In summary, the oven temperature settings for cooking a turkey in a Wolf oven depend on the mode selected. For bake mode, set the oven to 325°F (163°C), and for convection roast mode, set it to 300°F (149°C). These temperature settings optimise the cooking process, ensuring your turkey turns out juicy and delicious.

Cooking time: cook for approximately 10-15 minutes per pound, depending on the weight and temperature of the turkey before cooking

Cooking a turkey in a Wolf steam oven is a straightforward process, but it's important to keep in mind that the cooking time will depend on the weight and temperature of the turkey before cooking. As a general rule, you should plan for a cooking time of approximately 10-15 minutes per pound. So, for example, if you have a 16-pound turkey like Sandy Lashway, who cooked a turkey in her Wolf Convection Steam Oven, you can expect a total cooking time of about 2 hours.

However, it's important to remember that this is just an estimate, and the actual cooking time may vary depending on various factors. To ensure your turkey is cooked perfectly, it's recommended to use a temperature probe to monitor the internal temperature of the meat. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure not to touch the bone, as bone conducts heat better than muscle. Set the desired temperature to 165°F, which is the safe temperature for poultry.

Additionally, the cooking mode you use will also affect the cooking time. If you're using a Wolf oven, you can choose between the BAKE mode and the CONVECTION ROAST mode. For a brined turkey, the BAKE mode is recommended, while the CONVECTION ROAST mode is better for a non-brined turkey. The BAKE mode cooks the turkey at 325°F, while the CONVECTION ROAST mode cooks it at 300°F.

Keep in mind that if you're using a Wolf Convection Steam Oven, you might need to adjust the cooking time or temperature settings. In this case, you can start by steaming the turkey for 30 minutes and then switching to Convection Roast at 375°F. This two-step process will ensure that your turkey is cooked thoroughly and efficiently.

Temperature probe: insert the temperature probe into the turkey thigh and set it to 180°F (82°C)

Using a temperature probe is a great way to ensure your turkey is cooked to perfection. The temperature probe that comes with your Wolf range will help you cook your turkey perfectly. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the turkey thigh, making sure to push it in horizontally and as deep as possible without touching the bone. The bone conducts heat better than the muscle, so if the probe touches the bone, it will show a higher temperature than the surrounding meat.

The next step is to connect the probe cord to the oven, following the user instructions. Set the temperature probe to 180°F (82°C). This is the ideal temperature for a juicy, cooked turkey. The oven will alert you with a chime when the desired internal temperature has been reached.

Once the oven chimes, remove the probe and insert it into the other thigh to double-check that the internal temperature is indeed 180°F. This step ensures that your turkey is cooked evenly and safely throughout.

After removing the probe, take the turkey out of the oven and let it rest, uncovered, for 30 minutes to an hour. This resting period is crucial, as it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender bird.

Frequently asked questions