Two of the most frequently asked questions about cooking turkeys are as follows:
1. Just what is the safest way to thaw out a turkey?
2. How do you keep your turkey from drying out?
How to safely thaw out your turkey:
- Thawing a frozen turkey always requires patience and we know that patience always pays off in the end. My mom always told me that thawing your turkey in the refrigerator was the safest method. It takes approximately 3 days for a 20-pound turkey to fully defrost in the refrigerator, so be sure to plan ahead.
- Uncovering your turkey in the refrigerator on the last day will help you attain a nice crispy skin.
How to make a moist and juicy bird!
- I always make my stuffing or dressing in a pan separate from my turkey. I never stuff my bird. Why? By the time it is safe enough to eat the stuffing, the turkey is dried out.
- I like to place my turkey on a roasting rack in a roasting pan or on a bed of carrots, onions, celery and lemons.
- You can also loosely fill your turkey with aromatic vegetables like sliced onions, a few carrots, 3 heads of garlic cut in half, fresh sage, thyme, parsley and lemons inside your bird but do not over stuff.
- Make a compound butter with herbs to rub all over the turkey.
- You can also make the Portuguese marinade I grew up enjoying. The marinade covers the bottom half of your turkey and olive oil is used to achieve a crispy skin.
- Cooking times will differ depending on whether your bird was purchased fresh or frozen. Plan on 20 minutes per pound in a 350 degree F oven for a defrosted turkey and 10 to 15 minutes per pound for fresh.
- Be sure to cover your turkey completely until the last hour. Uncovering in the last hour will keep it moist and then crisp it up in the end.
- Remove your turkey from the oven when the deepest spot between the leg and the breast reads 180 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
- You must tent the bird with foil and let it rest for about 15 minutes before carving. Like most meats and poultry, carving into it before allowing it to rest will make the juices run and will leave you with a dry turkey.
- Brining a turkey is another common method used to insure a moist and flavorful bird, but this requires patience as well and must also be done in advance. It’s super easy though.
- If you are thinking of frying your turkey be sure to be very careful. Click here to watch a funny video.
However you prepare your turkey, the secret ingredient to any amazing recipe is love! Our family wishes you all a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, fellowship, thankfulness, laughter and great food! xo Elise
Here are a few of our family’s favorite Thanksgiving recipes:
My Grandmother’s Portuguese Stuffing
Hello, I’m Elise Johnson and I’m so glad you found your way here! From my own experience, cooking and eating together as a family nurtures and strengthens family relationships quicker and stronger than any other way. Join me as I continue my grandmother’s legacy of
inter-generational cooking by inspiring families and friends to make memories in the kitchen. 