Turkey with Smashed Potatoes
Turkey with smashed potatoes pairs lean, quick-cooking turkey steaks with potatoes that are boiled until tender, flattened and roasted until the edges turn crisp. The potatoes do most of the work in the oven while the turkey takes about 12 minutes in a frying pan, so the whole plate comes together in roughly an hour. A little garlic and rosemary is all the seasoning it needs.
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 405kcal
Keeping turkey with smashed potatoes juicy
Turkey breast has almost no fat, so it is easy to overcook. Steaks about 1.5cm thick cook through in 5–6 minutes on each side, and a meat thermometer takes out the guesswork: at 75°C, with no pink and clear juices, the meat is safe and still moist. Resting for 5 minutes lets the heat spread evenly through the steaks.
For the potatoes, baby or new potatoes hold together best. Larger floury potatoes break apart when boiled and pressed. The key to the crisp edges is dryness: steam off the water in the colander, then use enough oil to coat each potato. Do not worry about neat shapes, because the ragged edges are what crisp up.
The method for turkey with smashed potatoes
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Boil the potatoes Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6. Put the potatoes in a large pan of cold water and bring to the boil. Simmer for , until a knife slides in easily, then drain well and leave them in the colander for so the steam can escape.
- Smash Spread the potatoes on a large baking tray with space between them. Press each one down with a potato masher until it splits and flattens to about 1.5cm thick. Drizzle with 2 tbsp of the oil, sprinkle with the rosemary and half the salt, and season with pepper.
- Roast Roast the potatoes for , until deep golden with crisp edges, turning the tray round after if your oven browns unevenly.
- Cook the turkey About before the potatoes are ready, season the turkey steaks with the remaining salt and some pepper. Heat the last tablespoon of oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat and cook the steaks for on each side. They are done when the juices run clear, there is no pink and a thermometer reads at least 75°C.
- Finish and rest Add the garlic to the pan for the last minute of cooking, spooning it over the turkey. Leave the steaks to rest on a plate for , then serve with the hot potatoes and any garlicky oil from the pan.
Swaps, variations and what to serve
The smashed potatoes work with plenty of other mains. Try them with cod with smashed potatoes for a fish supper, or swap the rosemary for smoked paprika and a squeeze of lemon.
Cold sliced turkey from the next day makes a good turkey salad, with the leftover potatoes crisped up again in a hot oven.
Common problems and fixes for turkey with Smashed Potatoes
- The potatoes are soft rather than crisp.
- They were probably wet or the tray was crowded. Let them steam dry in the colander, use enough oil, and leave space around each one so the hot air reaches the edges.
- The potatoes crumble when smashed.
- They have boiled for too long. Take them out as soon as a knife slides in easily, and press down gently with the masher, only until each one splits.
- The turkey is dry and chewy.
- Turkey breast is very lean and dries out quickly. Remove it from the pan as soon as it reaches 75°C and rest it for the full 5 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about turkey with Smashed Potatoes
How long does it take to cook turkey with smashed potatoes?
About an hour in all: 15 minutes boiling, 30 minutes roasting the potatoes, and 12 minutes frying the turkey, which happens while the potatoes roast.
Can you use chicken breast instead of turkey?
Yes. Chicken breast fillets of the same thickness take about the same time, and must reach 75°C with no pink. Cut thick fillets in half horizontally so they cook through at the same rate.
Can you prepare the potatoes ahead?
Yes. Boil and smash them up to a day ahead, keep them covered in the fridge, then oil them and roast from cold, adding about 5 minutes. Leftovers reheat well in the oven until steaming hot all through.
What can you serve with turkey and smashed potatoes?
Green beans, buttered peas or a crisp green salad all go well. A spoonful of cranberry sauce or a little gravy also works.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 56 ratings
