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. HOW TO ROAST A TURKEY All rights reserved. Follow these easy steps for mastering the technique, then watch the how-to video. A heritage turkey is right for you if you want to try an old-fashioned breed of turkey, often leggier and leaner and more flavorful, and don't mind paying a little extra for it. Fresh? There are lots of choices out there. Here are a few helpful workarounds for some common turkey conundrums. Get an editor-picked recipe delivered to your inbox daily. 1. For turkey skin that's toasty golden brown—the kind of crispy skin that's just begging to be snitched and nibbled while you're carving—you need to dry every surface thoroughly before the bird goes in the oven. (You can find this on the instructions in the box of oven bags.) Basting means more oven door opening, resulting in temperature fluctuations that can dry out your bird. Prepare your holiday main event by locking in moisture. Simply tuck the wings of the turkey under the body and tie the legs together with kitchen string to create a tight package. Since many home ovens heat unevenly, it’s a good idea to let your oven come up to temperature, then wait 5 to 10 more minutes before placing the turkey inside. Be sure you don't cover the turkey too tightly as you don't want the bird to steam under the foil. Brining keeps it moist. Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home! Figure on 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person. Credit: you can cover the top with tinfoil. Place in the oven and cook for 3-4 hours for my 13 pound turkey and up to 5-6 for a larger turkey. Welcome guests to your home this autumn with rustic gourd garlands, decorated pumpkins, and wreaths and centerpieces made from foraged materials. After your turkey is in the pan, close your bag and cut a few slits in the top of the bag. and "Is there a better way to roast a turkey?" Carefully, place your stuffed and seasoned turkey inside the oven bag and place in a roasting pan. Cover the turkey loosely with foil, but remove it just under an hour before the timing is up to get the turkey … All can be made in 45 minutes or less. The ideal place to thaw your turkey is in the fridge, which can take up to a week … Just be sure to follow a trusted recipe so you get the right proportion of each. To tie or not to tie. What Do Food Pantries Really Need Right Now? By letting it warm up a little bit, the turkey will cook more evenly. Next, don't pack the stuffing too tightly, or it won't get hot enough. Keep the stuffing on the side. Make the bird the way you like it: This step-by-step guide from Food Network Magazine leads to thousands of possibilities! Browse our best turkey recipes to find the perfect bird for your Thanksgiving feast. In addition, a stuffed turkey will take longer to cook, which could result in drier white meat. Martha Stewart may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on All Rights Reserved, Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. With these quick turkey fixes up your sleeve, you'll be feeling calm, cool and collected, no matter what surprises the day may bring. 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