mac and cheesecranberry sauce, green bean casserole it could turn into something great thanksgiving side dishesbut no one There’s no denying that turkey is a staple of the holiday season. There are *so* different tips and techniques out there, so it’s easy to overcook (or undercook 😳) your Thanksgiving turkey if you don’t use special preparation and cooking methods tailored to your bird. There is a gender.
I’ve already shown you How to stop grilling dry chickenSo, in honor of the Thanksgiving season, let’s take a look at some tips and tricks for making your turkey perfectly juicy and flavorful without venturing into the dreaded dry zone.
To ensure delivery only the best Tips on how to cook a turkey, we chatted lauren allen from Even more delicious from the beginning What she’s famous for (and definitely not) turkey recipes – There are literally thousands of 5-star reviews and it’s also one of the easiest methods we’ve ever seen. No brining, basting, or bags required. Let’s begin!
choose the right turkey
Photo credit: Karolina Grabowska / pixel
- Appropriate size: 1 1/2 pounds per person
- Appropriate type: Store-bought = No Brine, Organic = Brine
Succeeded thanksgiving dinner Start by choosing a turkey that fits your feast needs. The first thing you need to know when heading out on a pre-Thanksgiving grocery shopping trip is how big a bird you want to catch. The most common rule of thumb (and the same one Allen uses) is to take about 1 1/2 pounds per person to ensure everyone gets enough.
You should also consider: Kindness of the turkey you are buying. Some turkeys on store shelves are actually pre-brined, which means extra time and effort during the holiday season.
A big part of that, Allen said, is looking at the turkey’s ingredient list. Store-bought turkeys (think Butterball or Jenny-O) are often pre-brined, while turkeys from the meat aisle or from local farms are brined. just turkey. What kind of turkey you end up with will depend on whether you’re willing to spend hours transporting it.
Preparing the turkey
Photo provided jason leon / unsplash
How to brine a turkey
According to Allen, the brining process depends on what kind of turkey you choose.
“I don’t think many people understand what goes into buying things these days. [a turkey] Frozen, bought at the supermarket. [brining] It’s already done, so it’s a step you can skip because it’s a little more difficult,” she said. “You’ll need a container (like a 5-gallon bucket or something) large enough to hold the whole turkey.” and solution, and Store in the refrigerator. That’s not realistic. ”
Using brine, if necessary, can give the meat bold flavor while keeping the bird moist. There are two types of brine: dry brine and wet brine. The latter is the most common, but the type of brine used will affect the final desired result.
The dry brine will crisp up the skin of the turkey and allow the meat to absorb the spices while stored in the refrigerator. It’s a little easier to manage at home because it doesn’t produce as much volume as wet salt water.
The moist brine, on the other hand, is used to soak the whole turkey, resulting in a very moist and flavorful fork. No matter what type of brine you choose, the turkey should be completely covered. at least a full 24 hours, Please allow enough time.
“A lot of people think that turkeys are really hard work and you have to brine them and do all these things; [many[ turkeys already have it,” Allen noted. “If it’s like a farm-fresh, organic turkey or a non-frozen turkey, you’re gonna want to brine that to add flavor, but if you’re just getting it from the freezer section, it’s probably already been brined.”
How To Cook A Turkey
- Covering: depends on your desired result
- Cook time: around 15 minutes per 1 lb of meat
- Temperature: 165 degrees Fahrenheit
- Basting: every 15 minutes during the last hour of cooking, if desired
When it comes to cooking, remove the bird from your fridge for 45 minutes to an hour before cooking. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, but right before you stick the turkey inside, turn it down to 350. When it comes to the actual cooking process, there are a few different methods that you can try to ensure your turkey stays juicy.
Do You Cover A Turkey When Cooking?
The main reason behind covering a turkey is to slow down the cooking process and keep your turkey from drying out. You’ll want the legs to cook longer than the breast because the meat is built differently in those different areas. You can separate the two (and remove the breast from the oven before you remove the legs) like Delish recommends, or cover the turkey breast with a tent of foil so that it cooks slower than the legs. You can also cover the bird and then remove the tinfoil for the last 30 minutes for crispy skin like Food Network recommends.
Allen actually prefers to cook her Thanksgiving turkey uncovered – it’s easier and more practical.
“You don’t have to [cover the turkey] “It depends on how you like your turkey,” she said. “I always leave them uncovered, so I can keep an eye on them and see them turning golden.”
time to cook turkey
About 15 minutes per pound of meat is recommended for turkey. Even if you follow that guide, the most important thing is to make sure your bird is safe. perfectly cooked. you would like to have it meat thermometer Because that’s the only way to know if it’s cooked properly.
“Breast meat will cook a little faster than thigh meat, so it’s very important to cook the turkey at 165 degrees Fahrenheit once it’s done cooking to get it to a safe temperature to eat,” Allen says. To tell. “Test the breast of the turkey, then the thigh, and then a few different places to make sure you don’t hit any bones. The bones are hotter than the meat, so you’ll get inaccurate readings.”
She also recommends taking the bird outside when the temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Once removed, cover with foil and set aside on the counter. The foil creates an insulating layer of heat that will keep the turkey cooking and make up for the 5 degree temperature difference. Let the meat rest like this for about 30 minutes before cutting to allow the juices to settle.
How to roast a turkey
When basting the bird (this is where the pot collects the drippings from the bottom of the pot)busterCover the turkey with it), wait until the last hour, and then bake every 15 minutes.folk story A beautiful golden brown color is recommended.
Allen doesn’t actively recommend basting, as each time you open the door to bast, the oven (and the turkey) loses heat and can lengthen the cooking process.
“I recommend making an herb butter so the whole crust is greased and gets a nice golden brown and crispy. You don’t have to open the oven so many times,” she said. . “The bird just takes longer to cook because the heat is being lost.”
If you’re wondering how to cook a turkey, it’s actually much easier than people think. Once you’ve mastered these turkey tips, explore the turkey recipes below to inspire your next Thanksgiving feast.
thanksgiving turkey recipes
Roast turkey that never fails
A mix of woodsy herbs, citrus fruits, garlic, salt, and pepper give this Thanksgiving turkey recipe a delicious, rich flavor. Anything that falls to the bottom of the pot along with the drippings can be turned into an equally delicious gravy. (via Brit + Co.)
thanksgiving turkey
If you’ve never cooked a turkey before, this recipe is a great place to start as it has everything you need. What’s the best place to start? Buy the best turkey you can afford to know that the foundation of your meal is high quality. (via Brit + Co.)
cranberry roast turkey
The holiday season is also cranberry season, so a cranberry and maple glaze is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Our mouths literally salivate. Don’t forget to save some of the glaze to plate with your meal. (via Brit + Co.)
Easy and hassle-free Thanksgiving turkey
This simple turkey recipe was created for a low-stress Thanksgiving. Lauren Allen offers more prep, cooking, and plating tips to help you make the “best” turkey your family has ever eaten. life. (via “Getting better taste from scratch”)
Do you have more tips on how to cook a turkey? Let us know in the comments. pinterest Click here for more holiday cooking hacks!
Some quotes have been edited for clarity.
Brit + Co. may use affiliate links to promote products sold by other companies, but always provides genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.