Trussing a turkey by tying the legs together delivers a compact, uniform shape for even cooking. But what if you realize at the last minute you don’t have kitchen twine? Don’t worry, you can still tie up your turkey using common household items.
Why Tie Turkey Legs?
Tying or trussing the turkey legs serves a few purposes:
- Holds legs and wings close to the body for a uniform shape. This promotes even cooking.
- Allows turkey to cook more quickly by increasing surface area exposed to heat.
- Can help contain stuffing and prevent spillage.
- Provides a tidy, elegant presentation.
While trussing is common, it’s not absolutely necessary for a juicy turkey An untrussed bird may just require slightly longer roasting time
Twine Alternatives for Tying Legs
You have options for tying turkey legs if you don’t have kitchen twine on hand:
Dental Floss
Plain unwaxed dental floss works perfectly to tie turkey legs. It’s strong thin, and heat resistant. Just double up the floss and tie legs as you would with twine.
Aluminum Foil
Tear off strips of heavy duty foil fold to make thicker strips and wrap around drumsticks to hold them together. The foil bands won’t be quite as secure as twine but can work in a pinch.
Toothpicks or Skewers
Insert toothpicks or short wooden skewers to “pin” the legs in the trussed position. Soak picks in water first to prevent burning. Count them so you remove all when done.
Cotton Kitchen String
100% cotton kitchen string is typically heat resistant to 450°F, so it can withstand oven temperatures. Tie legs securely just as you would with twine.
Unflavored Dental Floss
Unwaxed, unflavored floss works the same as dental floss. Just avoid minty or waxed floss to prevent flavoring the turkey.
Cotton Yarn or Thread
Cotton yarn or thread, especially crochet thread, can substitute for twine. Avoid synthetic threads which may melt. Singe ends with lighter first.
Wire Twist Ties
In a true pinch, those little metal wire ties from bread bags can work to tie drumsticks together. Wrap tightly around legs for security.
How to Tie Turkey Legs
Tying technique is easy. Simply:
- Place turkey breast up with legs facing you.
- Bend legs to pull thighs closer to body.
- Wrap string, floss, or foil strips around ends of drumsticks.
- Pull tightly to bring legs together and tie a knot.
- Make a bow for presentation, or tuck ends under bird.
Trussing Tips
- Double up floss or thread for extra strength.
- Soak toothpicks/skewers before inserting.
- Use cotton thread only and singe ends.
- Check ties midway through roasting to ensure secure.
- Remove all picks, ties, foil before serving.
You can roast an amazing turkey without trussing at all. But tying the legs provides a picturesque bird for carving at the table. In the absence of kitchen twine, simple household items can be cleverly substituted to get the job done.
turkey legs – 16
tie – 10
twine – 7
trussing – 5
floss – 5
thread – 4
foil – 4
toothpicks/skewers – 3
cotton – 3
knot – 2
drumsticks – 2
roast – 2
Substitutes for Kitchen Twine
- Dental floss: Tie up your bird or bundle with dental floss. Itll hold things together just as securely as the twine. Stick to plain, unwaxed floss so you dont flavor your food with mint or risk having melted wax ignite in the oven. Consider tucking a roll of floss in one of your kitchen drawers; it also cuts soft cheeses, like goat cheese, better than a knife.
- Aluminum foil: Roll up some aluminum foil into tight ropes and secure them around your food like bands. It works best for stuffed meats that youre trying to keep from unrolling; aluminum foil probably wont be strong enough to truss a turkey or chicken.
- Toothpicks or wooden skewers: Poke toothpicks or wooden skewers into your rolled meat to keep the seam from unraveling. Soak them in water first (just like you do when you grill) so they wont catch fire in the oven. If you decide to use toothpicks, its smart to count how many you used so you know how many you need to pull out after cooking. You dont want anyone accidentally chomping down on a piece of wood.
- Nothing at all: If you dont have any of these things, consider going without. Leave your turkey untrussed and just tuck the wingtips under the bird or wrap in aluminum foil to keep them from burning. Place your loin on the baking sheet seam side down so that the weight of the meat holds it together. And if youre looking for a way to secure a bundle of herbs, place them in a piece of cheesecloth and used the corners to tie a knot.
How to Truss a Thanksgiving Turkey – Quick & Easy!
FAQ
What else can I use to tie turkey legs together?
If Your Turkey Doesn’t Come with a Hock Lock, Use String. Or, you can simply use twine, kite string, or unwaxed dental floss to hold the legs together.
How to secure turkey legs without twine?
If I feel the need to truss, I use foil. I just roll it into a long thin piece (around 1/2 inch wide and the width of whatever foil I’m using). Then use it instead of twine. I normally end up doing this on turkey- as I never remember the twine for thanksgiving. Nevertheless, it works in a pinch.
What can I use if I don’t have butchers twine?
You can use cotton twine. Or cotton yarn. If you just need a small count your butcher at your grocery store might give you some.
What string can I use for turkey?
Butcher twine is heat-resistant and food-safe, making it ideal for trussing meats, securing stuffed poultry, and tying roasts.Sep 26, 2024
How to tie turkey legs together?
1. Kitchen Twine: Kitchen twine is the traditional choice for tying turkey legs together. Made from durable, food-safe cotton or polyester, it is designed to withstand the heat of cooking. Kitchen twine ensures that the legs stay securely bound while the turkey roasts to perfection.
How do you keep turkey legs from drying out?
One way to ensure that your turkey legs cook evenly is to tie them together. This will help to keep the legs together and prevent them from drying out. There are a few different ways to tie turkey legs together. You can use kitchen twine, rubber bands, or even a piece of string.
Can you tie turkey legs without twine?
There Are Options! Your options to tie turkey legs without twine are to use foil, silicone rubber bands, or nothing at all. Though many like the look of a trussed turkey, many cooking experts agree that it isn’t always necessary. We hope this helps.
Can you use tin foil to tie turkey legs together?
Some people use floss to tie turkey legs together. However, we don’t recommend this. It can melt, catch fire, or impart a minty flavor to your food. Rather, you should use tin foil, silicone rubber bands, or nothing at all. Other types of string aren’t suitable for oven cooking. Can I Use a Rubber Band to Tie Turkey Legs Together?
How do you keep turkey legs together?
Onion or Leek Greens: For a kitchen hack, you can utilize the greens from onions or leeks to secure your turkey legs. Simply clean and dry the greens, then wrap them tightly around the legs. This not only holds the legs together but can add a subtle flavor to your turkey.
Can you use silicone bands to tie turkey legs together?
Silicone Bands: Heat-resistant silicone bands, often used for culinary purposes, can be used to tie your turkey legs together. These reusable bands are convenient and can stretch to accommodate different sizes of turkey legs. Just make sure they are food-grade and safe for cooking.