Don’t Make These Mistakes With Your Thanksgiving Turkey

The food is bought and now the planning continues to prepare the perfect turkey. There are a lot of things that can go terribly wrong while roasting that turkey. 

According to Buzzfeed below are some of the more common mistakes.

1. You didn't start thawing your turkey earlier!

The best way to thaw your turkey is in the refrigerator, where a turkey thaws at a rate of 4 pounds per day. So, a 16-pound turkey will take four days to thaw.

 

There is still a way to save the day. Thaw it in cold water though, which takes about 30 minutes per pound.  More help and full instructions are here

2.  Not letting the turkey get to room temperature before cooking.

Don’t roast a cold turkey. Take your bird out of the refrigerator (and out of the brine, if you’re brining) an hour before you put it in the oven to ensure even cooking and a moist bird.

3. You didn't use a roasting rack.

  Without a rack, the meat on the bottom of your bird will end up overcooked and dry, the skin will burn, and your kitchen will fill with smoke. Invest in a roasting pan with a rack. It’s not like you’ll only use it on Thanksgiving; the best roast chickens are cooked on a rack, too.

4. You're roasting the turkey at one temperature.

Roast your turkey at 475°F for the first 30 minutes, and you’ll crisp the skin byrendering the fat out quickly. After 30 minutes, turn down your oven temperature to 350°F for the remainder of the cooking time.

5.  You're basting the turkey while it's cooking.

1. Every time you open the oven door, your oven loses heat, and your turkey takes longer to cook, and the more it dries out.

2.The pan drippings that you baste with aren’t 100% fat; they are a mixture of fat and liquid, and that liquid will actually make your turkey skin soggy and dry your meat out.

 

6.  Your carving the turkey as soon as it's out of the oven.

You need to wait at least 15 minutes after taking the bird out of the oven before you cut into it, so that the juices inside the turkey have time to settle into the meat instead of pouring out onto your cutting board and leaving you with a dry bird (and a mess).

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You can get more Turkey Tips at Buzzfeed.