Recipe

Top 10 Tips For The Perfect Turkey

Thanksgiving is just two days away and the main attraction, the roasted turkey, will be adorning dinner tables all across America. I wanted to share 10 simple tips to remember to make sure that your turkey comes out the best it can be for your family and friends this Thanksgiving.

• Size of the Turkey: I find it's easier to roast a perfect turkey when the bird is no more than 15 pounds.  Feeding 10-15 people is perfect for this size. If you have more guests, roast 2 birds.
• Thaw the turkey in the fridge at least 2-3 days before you roast it. Thaw the bird on a platter in the fridge to make sure no juices run out on the shelf.
• Before roasting your turkey, make sure you take the bag of giblets out. Stuff the inside of the turkey with garlic, onions, herbs, a couple tablespoons of butter and lemons to ensure flavor and moisture.
• Roasting Pan: Purchase a decent roasting pan for your turkey. If you don't have a roasting rack, a layer of large root vegetables at the bottom of the pan will help prop your turkey off the juices and liquid at the bottom of the pan.
• Use a thermometer to ensure your turkey is at proper temperature.
• Time and temperature: I find that about 15 minutes per pound is a good rule to follow when cooking the perfect roast turkey. A 15-pound turkey would be about 3.75 hours. Heat the oven to 450 degrees, then lower it to 300 degrees. Cooking the bird at a lower temperature will ensure juiciness.
• Stuffing your turkey with aromatics and citrus will ensure flavor in the turkey from the inside. The rest of the turkey should need nothing more than salt, pepper and possibly a quick rub of butter.
• Breast Side Down or Up? People like to roast their turkeys breast side down. I don't think it's necessary if you follow the steps above. Add about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of chicken stock in the bottom of the pan to ensure there is moisture while roasting and tightly cover the turkey in foil.
• In the last 30 minutes of roasting the turkey, turn the heat up to 375 degrees and uncover the turkey and brush with herbed butter to get the skin crisp and golden brown.
• Check the internal temperature  and make sure the thickest area is 165 degrees. Take the turkey out of the oven, uncovered and wait about 10-15 minutes before carving the turkey.

Leave a comment below about how you make your perfect roast turkey. I'd love to hear your tips and tricks! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!