Quick & Juicy Barefoot Contessa’s Turkey Roulade Recipe for Dinner

Roasting a delectable turkey roulade that captures the essence of Barefoot Contessa cuisine brings culinary magic to your dinner table.

Her classic recipe turns ordinary poultry into an extraordinary masterpiece that will delight every palate.

Elegant yet surprisingly simple, this dish promises restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

The technique of rolling tender turkey breast with savory herbs creates a stunning centerpiece guaranteed to impress.

Fragrant rosemary and thyme mingle with rich, golden-brown skin that seals in succulent flavors.

Each slice reveals perfectly seasoned meat that melts in your mouth.

You’ll want to add this showstopping roulade to your next special occasion menu.

Tips to Enhance the Turkey Roulade Flavor

• Replace traditional ingredients with alternatives like dried apricots, pecans, or wild rice to create unique flavor profiles that surprise your dinner guests.
• Prepare the stuffing and turkey roulade a day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator to save time and enhance flavor development during holiday cooking.
• Slice the roulade into uniform portions before serving, ensuring each guest receives an equal amount of the delicious stuffed turkey with crispy exterior and moist interior.
• Use a meat thermometer to guarantee the turkey reaches the exact internal temperature, preventing overcooking and maintaining the roulade's juicy texture throughout.
• Complement the rich, fruity stuffing with a crisp white wine like Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir to balance the savory and sweet elements of this elegant dish.

Serving Suggestions for Turkey Roulade

• Pair with Festive Wine: Select a crisp white wine like Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir to complement the rich turkey and fruity stuffing.
• Elegant Holiday Plating: Arrange turkey roulade slices on a large platter, garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and scattered toasted pine nuts for a beautiful presentation.
• Create Delightful Sides: Serve alongside roasted seasonal vegetables like Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, or honey-glazed carrots to complete the meal with colorful, complementary flavors.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining roulade slices into gourmet sandwiches by layering on crusty bread with cranberry sauce and creamy herb spread for a delicious next-day lunch.

Turkey Roulade: Prep and Storage Notes

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover turkey roulade in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days to maintain optimal flavor and safety.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Slice roulade before freezing to make reheating easier. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated slices in the microwave at 50% power to prevent drying out. Alternatively, place slices in a covered baking dish with a splash of chicken stock and warm in a 160°C (325°F) oven for 15-20 minutes.
• Meal Prep Magic: Slice turkey roulade in advance for quick lunches or dinners. Pack individual portions with extra stuffing for grab-and-go meals throughout the week, making weekday eating a breeze.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients in the Turkey Roulade

• Dried Figs: Adds sweet, chewy texture and depth to the stuffing, choose plump and soft figs without mold.
• Dried Cranberries: Provides tangy brightness and festive color, select vibrant and plump berries.
• Calvados: French apple brandy that infuses rich, sophisticated flavor, opt for authentic brands.
• Butter: Creates rich base for sautéing, select high-quality unsalted butter for better control.
• Onions, Celery: Classic aromatic vegetables that build foundational flavor, choose fresh and firm.
• Italian Sausage: Delivers savory, meaty essence, select mild or spicy based on preference.
• Rosemary: Adds herbaceous, earthy notes, use fresh sprigs for most intense flavor.
• Pine Nuts: Introduces nutty crunch, ensure they're fresh and not rancid.
• Stuffing Mix: Provides convenient base, select high-quality brand with minimal preservatives.

• Turkey Breast: Central protein, choose boneless, skinless for easier rolling, select fresh and high-quality.
• Chicken Stock: Adds moisture and depth, homemade preferred for richer taste.
• Egg: Helps bind stuffing ingredients together, use fresh large eggs.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning, use freshly ground black pepper for robust flavor.

• Melted Butter: Creates golden, crispy exterior, use unsalted for precise seasoning.
• Kitchen Twine: Ensures compact roulade shape, food-grade cotton twine recommended.

Kitchen Gear for Making Turkey Roulade

• Large saucepan: For simmering figs and cranberries.
• Large pan: Essential for sautéing onions, celery, and sausage.
• Large mixing bowl: Used for combining stuffing ingredients.
• Cutting board: Needed for preparing turkey breast.
• Kitchen twine: Critical for securing the roulade.
• Roasting rack: Helps air circulate around the turkey.
• Baking tray: Catches drippings underneath the rack.
• Sharp knife: Required for slicing the roulade.
• Pastry brush: Used for brushing melted butter on the turkey.
• Meat thermometer: Ensures turkey reaches correct internal temperature.

Cooking Instructions for Turkey Roulade

Holiday Turkey Roll

• Fruit and Booze Infusion

Simmer figs, cranberries, and Calvados in a small pan to create a rich, sweet base that adds depth to the stuffing.

• Aromatic Foundation

Sauté onions and celery in butter until they become soft and translucent, building layers of flavor for the dish.

• Sausage Magic

Brown sausage in the same pan, breaking it into small pieces to distribute flavor throughout the mixture.

• Nutty Herb Blend

Mix in rosemary and pine nuts, creating a fragrant and textural complement to the meat and fruit elements.

• Stuffing Assembly

Combine the sausage mixture with bread cubes, chicken stock, and egg to create a moist and flavorful filling.

• Turkey Preparation

Open the turkey breast on a cutting board, creating a flat canvas for the delicious stuffing.

• Rolling Technique

Spread the stuffing evenly across the meat, then carefully roll into a compact cylinder, securing with kitchen twine.

• Roasting Perfection

Brush the exterior with butter and bake until the internal temperature reaches a safe and juicy point.

• Resting and Serving

Allow the roulade to rest before slicing, ensuring each piece is tender and packed with incredible flavor.

Elegant Barefoot Contessa Turkey Roulade Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s barefoot contessa turkey roulade delivers impressive holiday elegance with minimal kitchen stress. Herbed butterflied turkey breast rolls into a succulent centerpiece that delights guests and simplifies festive meal preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 whole turkey breast (5 lbs / 2.3 kg), boned and butterflied
• 0.75 lb (340 g) pork sausage, casings removed (mix sweet and hot)
• 3 cups (180 g) herb-seasoned stuffing mix (e.g., Pepperidge Farm)
• 0.75 cup (110 g) dried figs, large-diced, stems removed
• 0.75 cup (90 g) dried cranberries
• 3 tbsps pine nuts, toasted
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) Calvados or brandy
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) water
• 1.5 cups (360 ml) chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 4 tbsps (55 g) unsalted butter
• 40 g unsalted butter, melted
• 1.5 cups (2 medium) onions, diced
• 1 cup (3 stalks) celery, diced
• 1.5 tbsps fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 extra-large egg, beaten
• 2 tsps kosher salt
• 2 tsps black pepper

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Instructions

1. Fruit Preparation: Combine figs, cranberries, Calvados, and water in a saucepan. Simmer gently for 2 minutes, then let steep to develop deep, complex flavors.
2. Vegetable and Sausage Sauté: Melt butter in a large skillet, sauté onions and celery until translucent. Introduce ground sausage, crumbling and cooking until richly golden and completely done.
3. Stuffing Assembly: Merge the fruit mixture, rosemary, and toasted pine nuts with the sausage base. Transfer to a mixing bowl and fold in dry stuffing mix, chicken stock, beaten egg, kosher salt, and black pepper until uniformly combined.
4. Turkey Preparation: Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F). Lay turkey breast skin-side down, season generously. Spread stuffing evenly across the surface, leaving a small margin. Roll carefully from one end, encasing the stuffing completely.
5. Roulade Binding and Roasting: Tie the rolled turkey with kitchen twine at regular intervals. Place seam-side down on a rack over a baking tray. Brush with melted butter and season. Roast for 1¾ to 2 hours until internal temperature reaches 65°C (150°F).
6. Resting and Serving: Remove from oven, tent loosely with foil for 15 minutes. Slice into elegant portions and serve with additional stuffing alongside.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Simmering fruits in Calvados creates deep, complex flavor layers that elevate the entire stuffing mixture.
• Master Meat Technique: Break sausage into tiny crumbles while cooking to ensure even browning and prevent clumping.
• Secure Rolling Skills: Use kitchen twine at consistent intervals to maintain a tight, uniform roulade shape that prevents stuffing from escaping.
• Temperature Precision: Let turkey rest after roasting to allow internal juices to redistribute, guaranteeing a moist and tender final result.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg