The biggest dinner event in America is Thanksgiving. And the turkey is the meal’s centerpiece—everyone’s mouth waters at the thought of it. So you want it to be perfect.
Choosing the Right Size
Start by ensuring you buy the correct size. You want enough turkey to go around without having too many leftovers. The general rule of thumb is one and a half pounds of turkey per guest.But make sure you know the dimensions of your roaster and oven. If your pan can only hold a 15-pound turkey, you don’t want to buy a 20-pounder, despite how much meat you'll need.
Check your refrigerator as well. A frozen turkey must be defrosted in the refrigerator, so there must be room to accommodate it.
Fresh vs. Frozen Turkeys
There’s little difference in taste between a frozen and fresh turkey. With today’s freezing methods, moisture loss is reduced, and it really comes down to how it’s cooked.If fresh is important to you, ensure that the turkey wasn’t previously frozen and left to defrost at the grocery store.
Different Turkey Types
The label “natural” means that no artificial flavoring or preservatives have been added. But it may have salt, water, or natural flavorings added. It’s a somewhat meaningless term when it comes to overall quality. Natural turkeys aren’t the same as organic.Certified organic turkeys have been fed organically-grown feed their entire lives. They have also never been treated with antibiotics. They tend to be pricey compared to other turkey types.
Heritage turkeys are descendants of earlier breeds like the Bourbon Red, Narragansett, and Standard Bronze. They mate naturally and have a slow growth rate, and spend their entire lives outdoors. Heritage birds are smaller than commercially grown turkeys and have less breast meat. They can have a richer but gamier flavor.
Free-range turkeys are also an option. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), free-range turkeys must have access to the outside. But this doesn’t mean they’re always outside. In contrast, pasture-raised turkeys are always outside and are allowed to eat by hunting and pecking grass and insects.
Antibiotics and Hormones
In the United States, no hormones are approved for turkeys. So if the packaging says hormone-free, it’s meaningless since that applies to all turkeys.Antibiotics can be used. But a “withdrawal” period is required between the last dose of antibiotics administered and the time the turkey goes to market.
Thawing the Turkey
Don’t wait until the day before Thanksgiving to defrost a frozen turkey. Plan on keeping it in the refrigerator one day for each four to five pounds of weight. That means if your turkey weighs 16 pounds, it will take around four days to defrost. Remember, don’t leave the turkey on the counter; it must defrost in the refrigerator.Brining
Brining your turkey will help ensure juicy, flavorful meat. There are two types of brine: wet and dry. With a wet brine, you submerge the turkey in water that has been seasoned. In a dry brine, the turkey is rubbed with dry salt and spices. It takes longer for the flavoring to penetrate the meat with a dry brine, but it will be crispier once roasted.Deep Frying a Turkey
In America, deep frying has become a popular way to prepare a Thanksgiving turkey. Deep-frying an already-defrosted turkey is quicker than roasting. Although cooking is faster, an undercooked turkey could lead to food poisoning.Oven Roasting a Turkey
When roasting a turkey, invest in a good meat thermometer. You’ll be guaranteed to roast your turkey to the correct temperature. Turkey needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Check the temperature in the thickest part of the thigh.Ensure the turkey rests for 15 minutes after removing it from the oven and before you carve it. This will be less messy and keep the turkey moist.
There is debate about stuffing versus not stuffing a turkey. When stuffing a turkey, the risk of foodborne illness increases. Bacteria can live in the stuffing that has been cooked in the turkey.
Saving Dry Turkey
Sometimes, even the best chef overcooks the turkey. Dry turkey can be re-moistened.First, carve the turkey across the grain into very thin slices. They should be paper-thin. Then place the turkey in a frying pan and add cream of mushroom soup.
Heat the turkey in the mushroom soup, then, once they have simmered for a few minutes, pull the slices out and serve them.