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Whether it’s your first time hosting the holidays, or you just need a quick review before this year’s feast, Betty’s got your back with all the details you need to prepare and cook a turkey to perfection.
Sure, you can deep fry, grill and even slow cook a turkey, but for the classic holiday meal we think roasting is best, so let’s dig in! Read on to delve into the delicious details.
Getting Started: Gather Your Tools
Once you have your turkey, it’s all about having the right equipment, especially if you’re just learning how to prepare and cook a turkey. We’ve got you covered with the following list:
- A roasting pan with handles for easy lifting in and out of the oven
- An ovenproof or instant-read meat thermometer
- Aluminum foil to help keep your turkey warm while it rests after roasting
- A sharp knife for carving (your best chef’s knife will do)
- A cutting board, ideally with a groove for catching all the juices
- A V-rack or other rack to lift the bird above the drippings
- A basting brush
- Cotton string for trussing
How to Prepare a Turkey
No matter if you plan to roast, slow cook, deep fry or grill your turkey, you’ll want to follow three basic prep steps: thaw the turkey, remove the giblets and season the turkey. We’ll dive into each step below.
Thaw the Turkey
Thawing your turkey in the fridge is usually the easiest and most efficient—make sure you plan ahead and have plenty of fridge space. It takes about 24 hours for every four to five pounds of turkey weight, meaning a 20-lb turkey can take up to five days to thaw in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that brining adds two days, so your prep could begin up to seven days before the holiday meal. For more details about turkey thawing and a chart to help you figure out how much time your turkey will take, check out our article on How to Buy a Turkey.
Remove the Giblets
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Inside the cavity of your bird, you will find the giblets—the neck and internal organs, including the heart, liver and gizzard. Often they’ll be packaged up in a little bag. It’s important to remove the giblets before cooking your turkey but you don’t have to waste them. Their flavor can be used to enrich gravy, stock or even stuffing. Check out these recipes to learn more: Giblets Gravy and Use-it-Up Turkey Stock.
