This is it! Your ultimate guide to cooking the juiciest, crispiest, and most golden turkey Thanksgiving has ever seen. Our Taste of Home Test Kitchen has gone above and beyond to ensure your bird is nothing short of holiday perfection. Get ready to learn how to cook a turkey in the oven with our step-by-step instructions and expert tips along the way.
Tips for Cooking a Turkey
For the sake of convenience, we recommend starting with a frozen turkey. Plan to head to the store at least five days before your feast to get the perfect size turkey for your gathering. If you prefer, you can also order a turkey online.
When it comes to choosing a frozen turkey, size matters. A typical 14-pound bird serves 16 people. If you want guaranteed leftovers, add an extra pound or two. If you need help figuring out how much turkey to make per person, check out our full guide. And don’t forget to read our turkey buying tips to choose the right bird.
Once you’ve found the perfect turkey, set aside time to defrost it. Follow the directions below for more tips on defrosting. After the turkey is fully defrosted, remove the giblets and rub kosher salt all over the surface. This will result in a flavorful bird with crispy, golden skin.
Prepare the Turkey
The day before Thanksgiving, remove the turkey from its packaging and take out the giblets hidden deep inside. Also, remove any large pockets of fat along the neck. But remember, there’s no need to wash your turkey before cooking it.
Now comes the fun part: Give your bird a generous rubdown with kosher salt. Massage it all over the outside to achieve that extra-crispy skin we all crave during the holidays. After you finish rubbing, place the turkey back in the fridge.
How do I make my turkey moist?
There are many tips for roasting a moist turkey, but one of our favorites is brining. Soak the turkey in a water, salt, and herb solution overnight to infuse it with moisture and flavor. Another method to lock in the juices and flavor is using a turkey roasting oven bag.
Aromatics like apples, citrus, vegetables, and herbs also add moisture to the turkey. Simply stuff them into the cavity instead of cooking stuffing there. As the turkey roasts, the aromatics will break down and enhance the bird’s moisture.
Allowing the turkey to rest after roasting is also important. This allows the juices to redistribute within the bird, preventing them from running out when carved.
Cook the Turkey
On the big day, plan to start cooking the turkey in the oven at least four hours before dinner, or earlier depending on the size of your bird. Follow our guide below to learn the best way to cook a turkey.
Ingredients
- Whole turkey
- Turkey neck
- Roughly chopped onion, celery, and carrots (optional)
Tools
- Roasting pan
- Meat thermometer
- Toothpicks
Preheat the oven to 425°F and let the turkey sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Place roughly chopped vegetables and the turkey neck in the roasting pan to add flavor to the drippings. Use toothpicks to secure the turkey’s skin near the legs for an extra-glamorous look.
Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and season it with salt and your favorite seasonings. Place fresh herbs and some wine or water in the cavity to keep the turkey moist and flavor the drippings.
Rub the skin with oil to achieve crispier skin and an all-over golden brown glow. Create an oven shield with aluminum foil to protect the breast from overbrowning.
Roast the turkey at 425°F for about 40 minutes, and then reduce the temperature to 325-350°F for the remaining cooking time. Avoid opening the oven door as it will prolong cooking time.
Check the internal temperature of the turkey with an instant-read thermometer. Remove the turkey from the oven when the temperature is 5 degrees below the desired doneness. Let the turkey rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving.
Enjoy the Perfect Turkey
Congratulations! You’ve successfully cooked a crispy, golden brown turkey that will impress your friends and family. Carve the turkey and dig in, savoring every delicious bite.
We hope you found this guide helpful. If you have any leftover turkey, check out our recipes for repurposing them into delicious meals. And don’t forget to turn those turkey drippings into a homemade gravy that’s bursting with flavor.
For more helpful tips and recipes, visit Ekilove at ekilove.com. Happy cooking!
