How To Cook The Perfect Turkey

Looking to cook a turkey this holiday season? Whether you’ve cooked a number of turkey dinners before or this is your very first one, it pays to take the time to learn how to cook the perfect turkey.

This is a skill that many people have yet to master and if you’ve always been a guest for this celebration meal, but now find yourself hosting, you may be feeling some anxiety.

Not to worry, with the following tips and techniques, you’ll be serving up a great tasting turkey.

Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein that will be a perfect addition to any fitness enthusiast’s diet, helping you recover faster from your gym sessions.

Here’s how to go about preparing this protein source.

How To Prepare The Perfect Turkey

To start, you’ll need to pick up your whole turkey and let it thaw out in the sink or fridge, depending on how much time you have. In the fridge, it should take about 5 hours to thaw per pound of turkey.

To prepare the turkey, you’ll need to rinse it with some cool water and then dry it, using paper towels for blotting.

Next, heat the oven to 325 degrees and place the rack on the lowest level to make room for the turkey.

Remove the giblets from the turkey along with the neck and then rinse and wipe the cavity area. If you are preparing a stuffing, this is where you’ll be placing it.

Melt a few tablespoons of grass fed butter in the microwave and then add in some salt and pepper, along with whatever other seasonings you prefer.  Thyme, rosemary, or paprika all work great.

Brush this mixture over the turkey liberally until completely coated.

Next, place the turkey with the breast facing upward on a roasting rack placed in a roasting pan. Tent the turkey loosely with foil and then place in the oven for about 20 minutes per pound of turkey or until the juices run clear when a thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the breast.

Once you’re down to the last hour of cooking, remove the foil and let it finish cooking uncovered for the remainder of the time.

Finally, once the turkey is done, transfer it to a platter, cover with foil once again, and then let it stand for 20-30 minutes. This will allow the juices to get to all parts of the meat, ensuring it’s as tender as possible.

Once the time is up, you’re set to carve and eat.

Other Ways To Cook Turkey

Don’t want to oven cook a turkey? You can also smoke a turkey as well, giving it a unique flavor that will be sure to be remembered.

Some people also choose to deep fry a turkey; however, this is not preferable as it’ll produce a very high-calorie, high-fat-content dish that is not fit for those who are watching their body composition.

So don’t feel anxious about preparing a turkey any longer. Use these tips and you’ll be creating a perfect meal that everyone will enjoy.