16 Turkey-Cooking Tips You Need to Know Before Thanksgiving

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

We get it — there are a million variables when it comes to cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving: to brine or not, to butterfly or roast whole, to deep-fry or cook in the oven. That's why we pulled together all of our turkey-cooking tips from over the years, so you can school up on everything there is to know about successfully cooking a turkey.

How to Defrost a Turkey
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

How to Defrost a Turkey

It takes about five to seven days to thaw a frozen turkey in the freezer, so plan accordingly! Place it on a tray or rimmed sheet pan to prevent juices from contaminating your refrigerator. Alternatively, a "quick-thaw" method, or submerging the frozen turkey in cold water, will take roughly nine hours, if you change the water every 30 minutes. And, if that bird is still frozen on Thanksgiving, it can still be cooked. Just remember it will take around four and a half to six hours to roast (vs. the normal three and a half).

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Why You Don't Want to Rinse Your Turkey
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Why You Don't Want to Rinse Your Turkey

Don't rinse a turkey under the faucet. The most bone-chilling reason is you run the risk of splashing salmonella everywhere. Even if you have no cutting boards or dishes near the sink for salmonella-contaminated water to touch, the sink and faucet handles themselves may get contaminated. Instead, simply pat that turkey dry with paper towels.

Read more: should you rinse a turkey?

How to Spatchcock (aka Butterfly) a Turkey
Flickr user joyosity

How to Spatchcock (aka Butterfly) a Turkey

Gone are the days of overcooked white meat. Try spatchcocking (or butterflying) the turkey by cutting out the spine using poultry shears, stretching the turkey on a large rimmed sheet pan, and pressing down on the breast of the bird to flatten the whole thing out. This sets you up for even roasting the turkey in the oven or grilling it outdoors.

Read more: how to butterfly a turkey

How to Properly Season a Turkey
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

How to Properly Season a Turkey

Remember this: a turkey needs two tablespoons of kosher salt plus one teaspoon of black pepper. Ideally, season the turkey at least 24 hours before you plan to roast it and refrigerate until cook time.

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How to Dry-Brine a Turkey
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

How to Dry-Brine a Turkey

If you want to brine your bird, go for the dry-brine method, which is faster, quicker, and less messy than the saline-solution brine, which can result in a waterlogged bird. Salt the turkey inside and out and refrigerate it uncovered for 24 hours before roasting it to crisp perfection.

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How to Achieve Crisp Skin
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

How to Achieve Crisp Skin

The simplest way to achieve crisp skin? On a brined bird, coat it in a high-heat vegetable oil or clarified butter. That's it!

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How to Safely Stuff a Turkey
POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry

How to Safely Stuff a Turkey

Despite claims, it is completely safe to stuff a turkey, so long as it comes to the proper temperature. Fill the turkey cavity with warm stuffing so it comes to temperature faster. Two-thirds through the cook time, tent the tops of the breasts with two sheets of foil to prevent overcooking. The stuffing must reach 165°F internally before it can be pulled out of the oven.

Read more: is it safe to stuff turkey?

Which Pan to Use For Roasting a Turkey
Anna

Which Pan to Use For Roasting a Turkey

The ideal pan to use is a stainless steel roasting pan that's two and a half inches high and fitted with a roasting rack.

How to Hack a Roasting Pan
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

How to Hack a Roasting Pan

If you don't have a roasting pan, use a coil of foil. It serves the same purpose by lifting the bird off of the bottom of the rimmed baking tray so hot air can circulate around it.

Read more: how to hack a roasting pan with foil

How to Hack a Roasting Pan With a Muffin Tin
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

How to Hack a Roasting Pan With a Muffin Tin

Some people try to roast a turkey in a deep eight-inch roasting pan, but it actually acts as a giant metal barrier, preventing the heat from the oven from reaching the bird. To raise the turkey up so that it's exposed to the hot air, place a muffin tin upside down on the bottom of the pan.

Read more: how to hack a roasting pan with a muffin tin

How to Fry a Turkey
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

How to Fry a Turkey

Deep-frying a turkey is one of the fastest methods out there, but it does require the right tools, proper setup and prep, and a watchful eye. Like roasting, the oil should reach 325°F and should be done in roughly 45 minutes.

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At What Temperature to Cook a Turkey
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

At What Temperature to Cook a Turkey

Roast a turkey at 325°F for about three and a half to four hours, until the thickest part of the thigh should read 160°F to 165°F. Carry-over cooking will raise the temperature a few degrees, so pull out that bird at 160!

Read more: at what temperature is a turkey cooked?

How to Carve a Turkey
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

How to Carve a Turkey

Breaking down the turkey really comes down to cutting at the joints of the bird. First cut off the legs at the hip joints. Separate the thighs from the drumsticks (at the joint). Then, cut the breasts along the breastbone. Cut the wings from their joints, and separate the wings from the breast. Lastly, slice the breast meat against the grain.

Read more: How to carve a turkey, in pictures and video: how to carve a turkey

How to Cook Turkey Giblets
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

How to Cook Turkey Giblets

Giblets shouldn't cause so much anxiety! Use the turkey neck to make a flavorful turkey stock. Sauté the liver, chop it finely, and incorporate it into your dressing. Martha Stewart's giblet gravy calls for boiling the heart and gizzard in water to make a stock for pan gravy.

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How to Properly Reheat Turkey
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

How to Properly Reheat Turkey

To reheat in a microwave, spoon gravy or broth over a single serving of turkey; cover with wax paper and heat at 30 to 50 percent power until warm. To reheat in the oven, preheat oven to 350°F; lay turkey out on a roasting pan and sprinkle with broth; bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until turkey is heated through.

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How Long Turkey Leftovers Last
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

How Long Turkey Leftovers Last

Don't keep those turkey leftovers longer than three days, so that means toss them by Sunday. Otherwise, freeze them for up to two months.

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