Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without the turkey, and we’re going to show you the 5 BEST ways to cook the juiciest, tastiest turkey ever. There are many ways to cook a turkey. You can use an oven, a slow cooker, an Instant Pot, an air fryer, or even a convection oven.
This is our list of the best ways to cook a turkey that will always be juicy and delicious. Most people like to cook their turkey in the oven.
The best way to cook a turkey is whatever way works best for you. If you’ve never cooked a turkey before, you should look at all of your options and choose the best one for you. Spend a lot of time learning how to prepare the turkey and then cook it for the right amount of time. This will help you make the best turkey this holiday season. You will have the best turkey no matter what cooking method you use if you follow our step-by-step instructions.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll be cooking the star of the show – the turkey! While roasting a turkey in the oven is the traditional preparation, there are lots of different ways you can cook a turkey if you want to change things up. Here are 3 different methods for cooking your Thanksgiving turkey.
1. Roast It In The Oven
Roasting a turkey in the oven is the classic way to prepare it for Thanksgiving. It’s simple, reliable, and results in a beautiful golden brown bird.
To roast a turkey, first make sure it is completely thawed. Take the giblets out of the cavity rinse the turkey inside and out and pat it dry. Next, rub butter or oil all over the skin. This helps the skin get crispy and golden brown. Season the turkey liberally inside and out with salt and pepper.
Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Tent it loosely with foil to prevent overbrowning. Roast the turkey at 325°F, basting every 30 minutes with the pan juices. Remove the foil during the last hour to crisp up the skin. Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the breast and thigh reach 165°F.
Allow the turkey to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving so the juices can redistribute through the meat Serve with your favorite sides and gravy made from the delicious pan drippings.
2. Grill It
Grilling is a fun, flavorful way to cook your Thanksgiving turkey. The smoky char from the grill gives the turkey a delicious flavor. Grilling frees up your oven space for all those side dishes too!
For the juiciest grilled turkey, you’ll want to brine it first. Make a simple brine by dissolving 1 cup salt and 1/2 cup sugar in 2 gallons of water. Submerge the thawed turkey in the brine and refrigerate for 8-12 hours. Remove and pat dry.
Set up a charcoal or gas grill for indirect heat, with the coals pushed to one side. Place a drip pan on the empty side where the turkey will go. Rub the turkey all over with oil or butter and season well with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like.
Place the turkey over the drip pan, breast-side up. Cover the grill and cook for approximately 15-18 minutes per pound, rotating the turkey every 45 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the breast and thighs reach 165°F.
Let the turkey rest before slicing into it. The brining and grilling will leave you with a tender, flavorful turkey!
3. Deep Fry It
Deep frying a turkey produces the crispiest skin imaginable and impossibly juicy meat in just a fraction of the usual roast time. While deep frying can seem intimidating, it’s actually pretty straightforward if you follow safety precautions.
Choose a turkey 10-15 lbs and completely thaw it. Inject the turkey all over with a marinade or broth for extra flavor and moisture. Pat the outside very dry. Lower the turkey slowly into the hot oil (350°F), being careful not to splash yourself with the hot oil. The oil should cover the turkey by 1-2 inches.
Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes per pound. Lift the turkey out of the oil slowly and check the temperature in the thigh, which should be 165°F. The breast may register a bit lower.
Let the fried turkey drain on a rack over a sheet pan for 10 minutes before slicing. The skin will be impossibly crispy. Just be very careful when handling the hot oil. Never leave it unattended.
So there you have it – three very different preparations for your Thanksgiving turkey. Roasting it slowly in the oven yields classic results. Grilling infuses delicious smoky flavor. And deep frying makes the crispiest skin imaginable in very little time. Any of these methods will make for a memorable and delicious Thanksgiving turkey!
Whichever preparation you choose, here are some additional turkey tips:
- Let the turkey sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before cooking to allow it to cook more evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately determine doneness. Aim for 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thighs.
- Baste the turkey every 30 minutes while roasting to help keep the meat moist.
- Let the cooked turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to be reabsorbed.
- Use the pan drippings from the roasted turkey to make a flavorful gravy.
- Store leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerate in shallow containers for quick cooling.
- Reheat sliced turkey to 165°F. Use leftovers within 3-4 days.
If roasting an entire turkey seems like too much work, you can also buy just turkey breasts, turkey tenderloins, or boneless turkey thighs. These smaller cuts allow for quicker cook times.
Just remember basic food safety rules when handling raw turkey:
- Never thaw a turkey at room temperature or in hot water. Thaw in the fridge, cold water, or the microwave.
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw turkey to avoid cross-contamination.
- Wash hands, utensils, the sink, and any surfaces the raw turkey touched with hot soapy water.
- Store raw turkey securely wrapped on the bottom shelf of the fridge to prevent juices from dripping.
- Cook turkey thoroughly to 165°F as measured in multiple spots with a food thermometer.
How to Thaw Turkey Safely
We have two methods for thawing frozen turkey. They include the following:
- A bath of cold water is the fastest way to thaw a whole turkey. Thawing in cold water takes about 30 minutes per pound. That being said, you will need to add fresh water every 30 minutes. We also put ice in the water to make it very cold.
- You can also thaw your turkey in the fridge; it will take longer and be less intense. Place the turkey on a cookie sheet to catch any water that may drip off while it thaws. It takes about one day for every five pounds of turkey to thaw in the fridge.
Our favorite way to cook a turkey is roasted in the oven.
A regular (conventional) oven is different from a convection oven because the heat source in a regular oven stays in one place and rises from the bottom. Fans blow hot air from a convection oven around the inside, so the air moves all over the oven. In a convection oven, the heat is distributed evenly all around the food.
Cooking your turkey in an Instant Pot is similar to the slow cooker version. You will want to make sure that you use a smaller turkey roast or turkey breast. This method is ideal if you are feeding less than 8 people.
Using a slow cooker works well with a smaller turkey roast or turkey breast. If you need to feed 8 or less people, the slow cooker is ideal for you.
Not sure where to begin? Watch our video guide to learn all five ways to cook a Thanksgiving turkey.
Serving Sizes and Proportions
The size turkey breast will determine if you can feed a smaller crowd or a larger one. Make sure to decide how much turkey breast you will need ahead of time. If you are wondering how many people your turkey will feed, we recommend this method. A good rule of thumb is that whatever your turkey weighs, that’s how many peopke it will feed. Thus, an 8-pound turkey will feed 8 people. If you know you have small children, then you will be able to feed a bit more with your turkey. If you want leftovers, plan on 1 ½ pounds of turkey per person. This article from the HuffPost is also is a great resource and gives you an idea of how much to cook per person.
The Ultimate Way To Cook Your Thanksgiving Turkey
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