Complete Guide to Roasting Turkey
It's almost Thanksgiving, otherwise known as The Great American Turkey Challenge. Every year, a family chef is tasked with turning an average bird into a stand-out feast that puts all past turkey dinners to shame.
No pressure, but if you don't have a game-plan yet, now's the time to cram. Here's a 6-step guide from Shine's top food bloggers to buying, prepping and cooking your turkey. Step 1. Know your brand: you can find the flavor of your turkey in the freezer aisle. Brands carry different flavors, plumpness and overall texture depending on meat processing techniques. Check out a flavorful breakdown of supermarket options here.
Step 2. Buy smart: To figure out how much turkey you need for your guests, assume a pound for each guest. If you're looking for leftovers, make it a pound and half for each guest. For more specific guidelines, check here.
Step 3. Find the perfect temperature: Moderate temperatures may mean more time in the oven, but in the end it's worth the wait. For perfectly tender meat with with dark skin, try keeping your roast cooking between 325 to 350 degrees. Find more turkey-perfect oven-roasting tips here.
Step 4. Prep for a plump and juicy outcome. Try spreading butter between the skin and flesh before you cook, to create a more thoroughly basted, ultra-moist bird. Another trick? Marinate legs and thighs in brewed spice tea for two hours before roasting. It helps keeps the dark meat moist and flavorful.
Step 5. Try a totally new rub: Take a risk this year and try adding Cajun spices to the bird's skin for some extra crisp, tangy bite. Or stick with a more traditional roast recipe. Here's an award-winning classic recipe, using apples and sage, for Thanksgiving purists.
Step 6. Let your turkey relax: Make sure your bird gets plenty of time sitting after it's done cooking. Give it a rest between 30 minutes and 2 hours before serving. And when you're ready to carve, don't let your rumbling stomach ruin all that hard work. Break the bird down into manageable pieces before you begin slicing.
Picking the perfect turkey and other dilemmas
How to choose a turkey brand
How to cook the perfect roast turkey
Turkey tips for the holidays
