One of the biggest challenges that most people have when it comes to cooking Thanksgiving dinner is the turkey.
You don’t want to plan a big dinner just to find out the turkey is dry. I have learned over the years that you have to do the following tips to keep your turkey most.
Tips to Keep the Thanksgiving Turkey Moist
- First, please make sure your turkey is thawed completely. Don’t try to cook a frozen or partially frozen turkey. I know you can read on the internet that it is okay, but it isn’t. I hate cooking any meat at any time of the year frozen. Fresh ALWAYS tastes better.
- Brine your turkey! A turkey is a very lean piece of meat. You can dry it out quick if you’re not careful. Brining is easy too. Just put your turkey in a pot that is big enough for it, add 4 quarts of water and 1 cup of salt. You can brine for up to 12 hrs. I like to flip the turkey half way so both ends are in the solution. Once the brining is complete, make sure to completely pat the turkey dry.
- Once you have patted your turkey dry, now comes the messy part. Take soften butter and push it up into the skin of the turkey. Don’t peal the skin back, just push your hand up into it. You can add whatever seasons you want to the butter too before you push it into the skin. I also add the butter to the outside of the skin as well.
- Stuff your turkey with either your stuffing mixture or I will put the neck and other parts that are provided with the turkey and stick it inside of it. I also add sliced oranges and lemons, rosemary, thyme, and a few other ingredients.
- Tie the legs of the turkey together with appropriate string. Place the turkey into a oven safe bag. Cook the turkey based on the directions of the turkey. I usually do 325 degree for 4-5 hrs. It depends on the size of the turkey.
- Last recommendation, if you choose not to use the bag to cook in, than make sure to base your turkey often. Just take the juices from the pan and squirt it all over the turkey. I would do this every 30 mins.