I promise you, cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving is easier than you might think. Let me walk you through it. These step by step instructions for cooking a Thanksgiving turkey will be extra detailed to put any first timers at ease. Here we go.
The first step is obvious. Buy a turkey. Buy about 1 pound per person. You can order a fresh turkey, or you can buy one at a grocery store. There is a good chance that the grocery store turkeys might be frozen, so get your turkey at least 3-5 days early so it has time to thaw out in your fridge. Research says that the turkey could need up to 1 day for every 4 pounds of weight to thaw out in your fridge.
While you are buying your turkey, pick up butter, thyme, rosemary, sage, a lemon, garlic, an onion, and chicken stock too.
Preparing a delicious juicy turkey is one of the most anticipated parts of the Thanksgiving meal. However, tackling a whole turkey first thing Thanksgiving morning can feel like a daunting task. Many home cooks wonder if they can prep the turkey ahead of time to make the big day less stressful. The answer is yes – with some advance planning you can get your turkey fully prepped the night before so it’s ready to pop in the oven Thanksgiving morning.
Why Prepare Your Turkey in Advance?
There are several excellent reasons to prepare your turkey ahead of time:
-
It allows more time for rubs, brines and marinades to fully penetrate the meat Seasoning the turkey 12-24 hours in advance results in a deeply flavored, well-seasoned bird
-
You can get messy, time-consuming tasks like removing the giblets and trussing out of the way. This leaves you with just roasting on Thanksgiving day.
-
A frozen turkey has time to completely thaw overnight in the fridge.
-
With the turkey prepped in advance, the oven is freed up on Thanksgiving day to cook side dishes while the turkey roasts.
Step-by-Step Guide to Prepping Turkey Ahead of Time
Follow these simple steps for a stress-free turkey that’s ready to roast first thing on Thanksgiving morning:
1. Remove the Giblets and Neck
Reach inside the turkey cavity to remove the bag of giblets (heart, liver, gizzard) and the neck. Reserve for gravy or stock if desired. Rinse the turkey cavity thoroughly.
2. Apply a Dry Brine (Optional)
For a flavorful, juicy turkey, apply a simple dry brine the night before:
- 1⁄2 cup kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon each: pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dried sage
Rub the mixture all over the turkey and refrigerate 12-24 hours. This allows the salt to deeply season the bird.
3. Prepare Aromatics for the Cavity
Chop 2 onions, 3 carrots, 3 celery stalks, 6 sprigs thyme. Place in a food processor and pulse to make a coarse paste. Spoon some of the mixture into the turkey cavity.
4. Truss the Turkey
To hold its shape during roasting, tie the legs together with twine. Tuck the wing tips under the body.
5. Prepare Any Rubs or Compounds Butters
Apply additional seasoning like herbs, citrus zest, minced garlic or commercial turkey rubs. Get creative!
6. Refrigerate Overnight
Place turkey on a tray or in a roasting pan, cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate.
7. Remove Turkey from Fridge 1 Hour Before Roasting
Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes-1 hour before cooking for even roasting.
8. Roast Turkey
Roast at 325°F until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of thigh reads 165°F. Allow at least 15 minutes per pound. Let rest 30 minutes before carving.
Turkey Prep Tips
Here are some additional tips for flawless prepped turkey:
-
For food safety, limit prep to 24 hours before roasting. Keep chilled at 40°F or below.
-
Avoid stuffing the turkey, as this can lead to bacterial growth. Cook stuffing separately.
-
Use a shallow roasting pan with a rack for air circulation and even cooking.
-
Tent turkey loosely with foil to prevent over-browning.
-
Make stock from the neck and giblets while turkey roasts for tasty gravy.
-
Let turkey rest at least 30 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.
Answering Common Turkey Prep Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about preparing your turkey in advance:
Can I stuff my turkey the night before?
No – stuffing a turkey ahead of time can lead to bacterial growth. Cook your stuffing separately for safety.
How far in advance can I prepare the turkey?
Limit preparation to 24 hours before cooking. Keep the raw turkey refrigerated at 40°F or below.
Can I brine the turkey overnight?
Yes, brining the turkey in a saltwater solution for 12-24 hours adds moisture and flavor. Rinse well before roasting.
Should I wash the turkey before cooking?
No – washing raw turkey can spread harmful bacteria. Pat turkey dry with paper towels instead.
Can I rub butter under the turkey skin?
Yes, you can rub butter under the skin up to 24 hours before roasting to keep the meat moist and add flavor.
What if my turkey is still partially frozen?
If the cavity is still icy, run cool water inside the cavity until thawed. A partially frozen turkey can still roast evenly.
The Takeaway
With some advance preparation, you can relax on Thanksgiving morning while your perfectly seasoned turkey roasts to golden, juicy perfection. Prepping the turkey the night before helps infuse flavor, saves time on the big day and ensures a delicious, stress-free holiday meal.
Putting the Turkey in the Oven
I absolutely love my instant read thermometer that is meant to be used throughout the cooking process so I can constantly monitor the turkey. I think a in-oven instant red thermometer it is a great investment that takes the guesswork out of roasting meat.
Insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, so it isnt touching the bone. If you dont have an in-oven thermometer, start to check the temperature of the turkey 20 minutes before you think it might be done and until it reaches 165 degrees.
Sprinkle the remaining rosemary and thyme over the outside of the turkey.
Calculate How Long it Will Take to Cook
Now lets get to cooking the turkey. Turkeys take about 10-15 minutes per pound to cook, and then they need 30 minutes to rest before carving. So do a little math to determine when you want to put the turkey in the oven.
In my experience, turkeys usually cook at 12 minutes a pound to give you a more exact number.
An hour before you need to start cooking the turkey, remove it from the fridge. Letting it come a bit closer to room temperature will help the turkey cook a little faster. Remove some butter from the fridge too.
Adjust the oven racks to make room for the turkey. Heat your oven to 400 degrees.
After an hour has passed, place the turkey in a roasting pan breast-side-up. I prefer to use a roasting pan with a rack since I think it helps the turkey cook more evenly.
Rub 3-4 tablespoons of butter generously all over the outside of the turkey. You already salted the turkey last night, but add a little more salt if you think it needs it. Sprinkle pepper inside and outside. Then filled the cavity of the bird. Chop the onion and lemon into quarters, and add it to the cavity. Then add 4-6 cloves of garlic. Set aside 1 sprig of thyme and rosemary, and add the rest of the herbs to the cavity of the turkey.
Wrap small pieces of aluminum foil around the bottom of the drumsticks, this prevents them from overcooking and drying out.
Use butchers twine to tie the drumsticks together.
Cook Ahead Turkey – How to cook, prep, store and reheat your whole turkey one day before
FAQ
Can you prep turkey the night before?
For me, prepping the turkey a day in advance and taking the time to get it to the stage where it’s ready to cook is a joy. I take real pleasure in giving this illustrious bird the focus it deserves, plus saving myself a bit of stress on the big day.
Can you pre stuff a turkey the night before?
Don’t stuff a turkey the night before cooking it. Bacteria can multiply in the stuffing and cause foodborne illness when a stuffed bird is refrigerated.Nov 15, 2023
How to prepare turkey day ahead?
It’s easy: Simply cook it a day or two in advance, let it cool completely, then carve the bird into large pieces—breasts, wings, thighs and drumsticks. Store in a container in the refrigerator until the big day. This method actually result in juicier meat—and an infinitely more relaxed host.
Should I soak my turkey overnight?
For crisper skin, brine a couple days in advance, and let your turkey air-dry at least overnight and up to two nights, uncovered, in the refrigerator on a rack set in a rimmed baking sheet.
Can you cook a Turkey the day before?
If you’re pressed for time (or oven space), Make Ahead Roasted Turkey is just what you need. With this technique, cooking turkey the day before, the week before, or even the month before, still tastes delicious and freshly carved. Of all the easy Thanksgiving turkey recipes out there, this one just works.
How do you prepare a Turkey the night before cooking?
There are a few things you’ll need to do in order to prepare your turkey the night before cooking. First, remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity. Discard these or save them for gravy. Then, rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Next, you’ll want to season the turkey.
Should you prepare your Turkey the night before Thanksgiving?
Preparing your turkey the night before Thanksgiving can make your holiday morning less hectic. With some advance planning you can get your bird fully prepped and ready to cook ahead of time. Here is a complete guide to preparing your turkey the night before for a stress-free Thanksgiving meal. Why Prepare Your Turkey the Night Before?
Should you butter a Turkey the night before?
Buttering and seasoning a turkey the night before is a popular way to prepare the bird for roasting. This method allows the seasonings to penetrate the meat, and the butter bastes the turkey as it cooks, resulting in a moist and flavorful bird.
Should I Bast a Turkey the night before?
Basting the turkey should generally be done during the cooking process rather than the night before, as it helps to keep the meat moist while it cooks. 9. Should I oil the turkey the night before? Oil the turkey just before cooking as this helps to promote a crispy skin during the roasting process. 10.
Can You prep Turkey the night before?
Yes, you can prep turkey the night before by brining it, seasoning it, and storing it in the refrigerator. However, it is important to ensure that the turkey is properly thawed before beginning the prep process and that it is stored in an airtight container to prevent contamination.