Ahead of Thanksgiving this year, people have been trolling their parents by asking them how to microwave a whole turkey. But, according to experts, this cooking method is actually more sound than youd think.
The holidays are fast approaching, which means it’s almost time to prepare that festive centerpiece – a beautifully roasted turkey! But with busy schedules, who really has the time for hours of tedious oven roasting and basting? This year, consider taking a shortcut and cooking your turkey in the microwave instead.
I know what you’re thinking – microwaved turkey? That can’t possibly taste good! The microwave is for leftovers and frozen dinners, not whole meals, right? While it may seem unconventional, with the right techniques, you can absolutely cook a moist, flavorful turkey in the microwave
After doing thorough research on microwave turkey preparation, I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Read on to find out if cooking a whole turkey in the microwave might have a place at your holiday table this year.
Is It Actually Possible to Microwave a Whole Turkey?
The short answer is yes. With the proper sized bird and some simple preparation, you can microwave a whole turkey in a fraction of the time it takes to roast it in the oven.
The key factors are having a large enough microwave cavity to fit the turkey, taking precautions to promote even cooking, and using a food thermometer to ensure the meat reaches a safe final internal temperature
Many standard microwaves can accommodate a 10 to 14 pound turkey. Be sure to check both the interior dimensions of your microwave and the size of your turkey. There should be at least three inches of clearance on all sides for proper heat circulation.
The Advantages of Microwaving vs Roasting
So why opt for this unconventional microwave technique? For starters, it saves hours compared to oven roasting. A 12-pound turkey takes only about two hours at 50% microwave power. Compare that to the typical four-hour oven roast!
Microwaving also requires less active cooking time on your part. After starting the microwave, you only need to periodically rotate the turkey and verify the temperature. With oven roasting, you have to constantly monitor and baste the turkey.
Since the turkey cooks faster, you can wait until the last minute to thaw it. Less thawing time means fewer opportunities for harmful bacteria to multiply.
Finally, cleanup is easier without dealing with a hot oven or messy roasting pan drippings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Microwaving a Turkey
If you’re convinced, follow these steps for microwave turkey success:
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Pick an appropriately sized turkey – Choose a 10 to 14 pound turkey to fit comfortably in your microwave. Allow at least 3 inches of clearance.
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Use a cooking bag – Cooking your turkey in a ventilated oven bag promotes even cooking and contains mess. Poke holes for ventilation.
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Season well – For flavor, rub the turkey cavity and skin with a salt, pepper, and herb blend. Skip stuffing to prevent uneven cooking.
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Calculate cook time – Allow 9-10 minutes per pound at 50% microwave power. A 12-pound turkey takes about 2 hours.
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Rotate periodically – Turn the turkey every 30 minutes for even exposure to microwave energy.
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Verify temperature – Track temperature in the breast, thigh, and cavity with a food thermometer. Minimum safe temperature is 165°F.
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Let it rest before carving – Allow the cooked turkey to rest for 15 minutes so juices redistribute. Then slice and serve!
How Microwaved Turkey Compares to Oven Roasting
How does microwave turkey stack up against good old-fashioned oven roasting? Here are some key differences:
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Cook time – Microwaving takes just a couple hours versus 4+ hours for oven roasting.
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Active time – Microwaving requires less hands-on monitoring time from the cook.
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Crispy skin – Oven roasting wins for crisp, crackly, golden brown skin. The microwave won’t brown or crisp.
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Moist meat – Fans claim the microwave better seals in moisture, while roasting can dry out the meat.
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Flavor – Oven roasting imparts richer, deeper flavor notes. Microwaved turkey is more one-dimensional.
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Safety – Microwaving minimizes food safety risks thanks to the shorter cook time.
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Convenience – Microwaving means easier cleanup without dealing with hot pans and splattering fat.
Tips for the Best Microwave Turkey Results
Follow these tips for the juiciest, tastiest microwaved turkey:
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Brine the turkey overnight before cooking to infuse moisture and flavor.
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Rub butter or oil on the skin to prevent it from drying out.
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Use a cooking thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches 165°F.
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Tent the turkey with foil after cooking to seal in juices as it rests.
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Serve with gravy or sauce to add moisture if the meat seems dry.
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Mix pan drippings into the gravy for extra flavor.
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Slice the breast meat thin against the grain for tenderness.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and reheat within 3-4 days.
Ready to Give Microwave Turkey a Try?
While microwaved turkey won’t deliver the picture-perfect golden bird, it can still yield remarkably tasty results in a fraction of the time. Give it a try this year for a faster holiday feast! With the right techniques, you can enjoy tender, juicy meat without spending all day in the kitchen.
The viral ’25-pound turkey challenge’ surfaced online as early as 2016
The premise of the prank is simple: Text your parents and ask them how long it would take to cook a 25-pound turkey in the microwave. Then, post their responses online. Almost always, parents reply to the seemingly earnest question with some variation of, “Dont do that.”
According to meme database Know Your Meme, the prank dates back at least two years ago, when it first spread on Facebook before Thanksgiving in 2016.
It resurfaced on Twitter over the past week, fooling even renowned chef José Andrés and Simone Biles mom.
Experts say it’s actually possible to cook a whole turkey in the microwave
Butterball, which is known for its fresh and frozen turkeys, weighed in on the viral “25-pound turkey challenge” on Monday.
Speaking to Today Food, experts from the company shared specific instructions for cooking a turkey in the microwave — although they only recommend doing so for smaller birds.
According to Butterball, you first have to thaw the turkey before putting it in the microwave. Then, place the turkey breast-side down on a microwave-safe dish or plate, and microwave it for four minutes per pound “on full power to get the cooking process started.” For a nine-pound turkey, for example, youd set the timer for 36 minutes.
After that, take the partially-cooked turkey out, remove any drippings, and baste it with natural juices or browning sauce to get golden-brown skin. Then, flip the turkey over and cook it at 50% power for eight minutes per pound. Make sure you stop cooking every 18 minutes to check the turkeys temperature with a meat thermometer and baste it.
According to Butterball, the turkey is ready and safe to eat when it reaches a temperature of 180 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit in the thigh and 170 to 175 degrees in the breast.
Read more: This simple hack will prevent your Thanksgiving turkey from being dry
VERIFY: Yes, you can cook a turkey in the microwave
FAQ
Is it safe to cook a turkey in the microwave?
A 12- to 14-pound turkey is the maximum size most microwaves can accommodate. Microwaves sometimes cook a whole turkey unevenly, so microwaving it in an oven cooking bag aids in even heat distribution. Microwaving a stuffed turkey is not recommended.
How long would it take to cook a 25 lb turkey in a microwave?
For most microwave ovens, turkey takes about 7 minutes PER POUND of thawed, refrigerated turkey.
How do you cook a butterball turkey in the microwave?
- Thaw the turkey first. …
- Place the turkey breast side down on a microwave-safe dish or plate.
- First, microwave it for 4 minutes per pound on full power (for example, 36 minutes for a 9-pound turkey) to get the cooking process started.
How long does it take to cook turkey meat in the microwave?
Remove turkey from packaging and put it in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl, and microwave for 4 minutes, or until soft enough to mash with a fork.
Can You microwave a stuffed turkey?
But if you defrost the turkey in the microwave, cook it immediately. Don’t put it back in the fridge or let it sit on the counter. As far as microwaving a turkey that isn’t stuffed or frozen is concerned, the USDA does state you can cook it whole or in parts, and microwaves can accommodate a 12- to 14-pound turkey.
Can you cook a partially cooked turkey in the microwave?
It is safe to partially cook meat and poultry in the microwave or on the stove only if the food is transferred immediately to the hot grill to finish cooking. Can you Recook an undercooked turkey? Can you recook an undercooked turkey? Yes, you can place the whole turkey back in the oven, covering it to avoid dryness.
Can You microwave a 12 pound turkey?
A 12-14 pound turkey is the maximum size that most microwaves can accommodate, and cooking a bird in parts is likely to be safer. You should allow for seven to nine minutes per pound, rotating the dish every 15 minutes. Microwaves also cook unevenly, potentially leaving the inside of the turkey uncooked.