Last, check the stuffing's temperature with a meat thermometer. Brining is an easy, sure-fire way to a moist and flavorful turkey. All Rights Reserved. Give it a rest. Last, check the stuffing's temperature with a meat thermometer. Thawing Tips: Then try our go-to menu. The water can splash off the bird and spread bacteria around your kitchen. From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice. you can cover the top with tinfoil. Don't skip the seasoning! Check for doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the turkey around the thigh, avoiding the bone. Make the bird the way you like it: This step-by-step guide from Food Network Magazine leads to thousands of possibilities! Place a trivet of veggies and onions in the bottom of the tray to help make an epic gravy with all the juices. (You can find this on the instructions in the box of oven bags.) As it turns out, very little. For even moister meat, place pats of butter under the skin. And, remember, fresh may not necessarily be better than frozen; frozen turkeys are snap-frozen just after butchering. There's more than one way to roast a turkey, and as long as you follow a few fundamental rules, you can still use your favorite turkey recipe. A stuffed turkey will cook less evenly, will require longer in the oven than one without stuffing, and it poses a food safety risk (the danger being that the stuffing, full of raw turkey juices, will not reach a safe temperature even after the meat is cooked). Prepare your holiday main event by locking in moisture. (Don't worry, the hot oven temperatures will kill off any bacteria that grows on the meat's surface.) Get an editor-picked recipe delivered to your inbox daily. Figure on 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person. Completely thawing your turkey is probably the most crucial part of cooking your turkey. All Rights Reserved. After your turkey is in the pan, close your bag and cut a few slits in the top of the bag. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Instead, keep your turkey moist by brining it or by rubbing it all over with butter or oil. The drawback to cooking a frozen turkey is that it does take a little more time to cook—specifically, ThermoWorks figured, about 50 percent more time, at an oven … Say goodbye to serving a dry turkey on Thanksgiving. Lifting the turkey off the base of the pan helps to increase hot air circulation around the whole bird so that it will get crispy all over. 9. With these quick turkey fixes up your sleeve, you'll be feeling calm, cool and collected, no matter what surprises the day may bring. Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free. Heritage? Be sure you don't cover the turkey too tightly as you don't want the bird to steam under the foil. All Rights Reserved, Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing. Learn how to sew an easy medical face mask with fabric and cotton ribbon, amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Figure on 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person. In addition, a stuffed turkey will take longer to cook, which could result in drier white meat. Basting means more oven door opening, resulting in temperature fluctuations that can dry out your bird. And the vegetables add great flavor to the gravy. It will not cook evenly and the frozen part probably will not cook to a done temperature at all. Credit: If this is you, follow these three rules: First, wait until right before the turkey goes into the oven to add the stuffing. Related: Choose an Easy Turkey Recipe for this Thanksgiving. Always preheat your oven for at least 20 minutes before cooking your turkey. 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Take the turkey out of the oven when the thigh meat reaches 165 degrees F. After the turkey comes out of the oven, cover it loosely with foil and allow it to rest for 30 minutes. Just be sure to follow a trusted recipe so you get the right proportion of each. 3. Don't serve it until it has A frozen turkey must be completely defrosted before frying, so read thawing directions when you buy your bird. TRUST ME!! Don't serve it until it has reached 165 degrees F. The dark meat takes longer to cook than the white meat. Next, don't pack the stuffing too tightly, or it won't get hot enough. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. Cover the turkey loosely with foil, but remove it just under an hour before the timing is up to get the turkey … All the essential dishes are here, just on a smaller scale. Deep-frying was all the rage for a few years, then it was brining, then upside-down roasting. 10 Tips for Cooking the Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey, 10 Tips for Cooking the Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey [Infographic], How to Carve a Turkey: A Step-by-Step Guide, The Best Kitchen Sales to Shop on Cyber Monday, Amazon's Black Friday Deals Are Officially Here, These Are the Best Kitchen Sales to Shop This Black Friday. Simply tuck the wings of the turkey under the body and tie the legs together with kitchen string to create a tight package. Go ahead and use your family recipe, but we suggest you cook the stuffing in a separate pan. When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. The ideal place to thaw your turkey is in the fridge, which can take up to a week …