How To Cook The Perfect Turkey

While I am a self-described homebody, I like going out to eat for a good meal.  However, there are three dishes I refuse to order when I eat out because they can’t live up to my recipes.  Those three dishes are filet mignon, pea soup, and turkey.

So if this is your first year preparing Thanksgiving dinner, especially if this is your first time cooking a turkey, have no fear. If you follow these super simple steps, not only will you have an edible Thanksgiving dinner, you will have one of the best turkeys you have ever eaten!

DEFROST YOUR TURKEY

Your turkey needs to be fully defrosted in order to prepare it.  The best way to defrost it is to put it in the fridge a few days before. 

If you waited until the last minute, you can defrost it in the sink in COLD water.  Every 30 minutes drain the water, rotate the wrapped turkey, and add fresh cold water until thawed.   For additional info check out instructions from butterball.com.

PRE-HEAT THE OVEN

Pre-heat the oven to 400°F while prepping the the turkey. When you put it in the oven you will reduce the heat to 350°F.

CLEAN THE CAVITY

Remove the giblets from the cavity of the bird.  Some people cook these parts, I just throw them out.  Then rinse the cavity with water.

NOTE: Some people suggest not rinsing the bird and simply removing the giblets and patting the turkey down with paper towels to avoid the spread of germs. I just clean my entire sink and counter down after the turkey before the sides.

BUTTER IT UP

I am convinced that this is what makes it taste it so good!  Melt a stick of butter.  (I like to heat it in a microwave safe bowl.) Using a turkey injector, put the melted butter above the meat but under the skin.  Then take a quarter stick of butter and rub it on the outside of the skin.  This will make the skin tasty and crispy.

PREP YOUR PAN & BAG

If you want a turkey so moist that it literally falls off the bone, don’t skip this step!  Use a Reynold’s Oven Bag- Turkey Sized. Put the bag in the pan, open it and then carefully put the buttered turkey in it.  Try avoid getting butter on the outside of the bag.

ADD THE EXTRAS

Chop a large yellow onion into small pieces.  Throw this in the roasting bag around the turkey along with 1 cup of chicken or turkey broth.  It’s ok to put some inside the cavity.

TIME TO COOK: REMEMBER TO ADJUST

Tie the bag closed and put the turkey in the oven. Then lower the temperature to 350°F. Remember to adjust the cooking time, since using a roasting bag will cause the turkey to cook faster than normal.

Find adjusted time based on turkey size.

SKIP THE EXTRAS

There is no need to brine, baste, or fill will stuffing.

LET SIT

Let the turkey sit for at least 30 minutes prior to serving. This allows the juices to settle.