Neither chefs nor food writers can agree on whether—or why—youd want to tie up your turkey. Some say that the splayed legs of an untrussed bird cook faster due to more exposure to hot air, plus more of the skin crisps. Others claim that the breasts of an untrussed turkey aren’t protected by the legs and therefore overcook.
But one thing is certain: Whether you prefer a wet-brined, dry-brined, or smoked turkey, trussing definitely makes for a bird worthy of a holiday table. (Have you seen an untrussed roasted turkey? It’s a bit eyebrow-raising.)
The thing is, trussing doesn’t have to involve fancy tucks, flips, or toys like French trussing needles. Sometimes it doesn’t require any twine at all. To achieve company-worthy turkey without all the fuss of traditional trussing, you dont need to do anything more than follow the steps below. Heres how to tie a turkey.
As Thanksgiving approaches home cooks everywhere are gearing up to roast the big bird. And one question always comes up – should you tie the turkey’s legs together or leave them untied? This issue causes much confusion every holiday season. In this article, we’ll examine the reasons for and against trussing up those drumsticks to help you decide what’s best for your roast.
Why Are Turkey Legs Tied Initially?
When you purchase a whole turkey from the grocery store you’ll notice the legs are often tied together with string, clamps or wrapping. This trussing is done for two main reasons
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To maintain the bird’s shape during transportation and storage. Trussing keeps the legs and wings tucked neatly to the body.
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For aesthetic presentation. Tied legs give a uniform tidy appearance.
Don’t panic if your turkey arrives all trussed up in string or clamps. This is perfectly normal and safe. The legs are simply secured for transport from the processor to the market.
The Case For Untying Turkey Legs
While trussing may seem traditional, most modern cooking experts recommend untying the legs before roasting. Here’s why:
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Allows for better heat circulation. Tied legs partially block airflow, leading to uneven cooking.
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Permits better heat penetration. Untied legs let heat reach the inner thigh meat.
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Exposes more skin to crisp. Splaying the legs opens up the sides.
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Provides insulation for stuffing. Untied legs shield and heat stuffing.
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Reduces cook time. Open legs mean increased airflow and faster cooking.
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Prevents breast dryness. Breast stays moist if dark meat cooks quickly.
So by freeing those drumsticks, you get juicier meat, crisper skin, and better air circulation. For most cooks, the benefits of untrussed turkey legs outweigh the cons.
Reasons Some Still Opt to Truss
Though untying has advantages, some cooks stick to tradition and keep those legs tied tight. Here’s why you may still want to truss:
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Maintains tidy, uniform shape. Trussing upholds that quintessential turkey silhouette.
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Holds wings in place. Trussing prevents floppy wings.
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Contains stuffing neatly. Tied legs can prevent stuffing spills.
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Promotes even cooking if rotated. Rotating trussed legs aids evenness.
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Slows thigh cooking. Tied legs allow thighs to finish with the breasts.
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Provides aesthetically pleasing presentation. A trussed turkey just looks festive!
So if you’re used to trussing, want a picture-perfect bird, or are cooking a stuffed turkey, it may be worth tying those legs up.
So should you truss or not? Here are some final tips to consider:
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Factor in your roasting method. Convection ovens don’t require trussing.
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Mind the size. Larger untrussed birds may need extra cook time.
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Consider stuffing. Loose stuffing benefits from tied legs.
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Weigh aesthetics. Trussed legs do look prettier for presentation.
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Go with preference! Some cooks always truss while others never do.
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Compromise with loose string. Loosely tie just the drumstick ends.
There are good arguments on both sides of the trussing debate. Smaller birds likely benefit more from untying, but it often comes down to personal preference. With some experimentation, you’ll find your own ideal turkey leg protocol. Just be sure those legs are untied or loose before roasting for food safety. Then focus on proper technique for a mouthwatering holiday bird!
How to Truss or Untruss a Turkey
Whether you decide to truss or untruss your turkey, here is how to do it:
To Truss:
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Use cotton kitchen string or twine. Avoid plastic or nylon rope.
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Loop the legs closed together. Wrap string around them and tie.
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Make sure the string is snug but not too tight. You don’t want to restrict airflow.
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Tuck the wings under and tie them to the body.
To Untruss:
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Carefully cut and remove any existing string, netting, or clamps. Watch for the legs springing open.
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Use kitchen shears or a sharp knife. Be careful not to cut the skin.
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You can also untie and retie just for presentation after cooking if desired.
And that’s all there is to it! Trussing or untrussing a turkey takes just minutes. Choosing which method to use requires a bit more thought but experiment to see which works best for your roast. Here’s to a perfectly bronzed, mouthwatering turkey this Thanksgiving!
Hold the Legs In Place Using a Hock Lock
Most turkeys come with a plastic, or sometimes metal, contraption that holds the two legs together. You know…the piece that you always cut and pull out so you can stuff the cavity. This is called a “hock lock” and it’s meant to stay in place during the cooking to hold the legs in place. So if youre baking your stuffing outside the turkey (always a smart idea), you can rest easy. You dont need to truss the turkey if you have a hock lock—its already done for you.
Position the Wings
Tuck the wing tips behind the shoulders to lock them into place and protect them from scorching. The positioning of the wings also helps stabilize the bird on a platter. Next. Youll tie the ankles of the legs together to cover the cavity and create a holiday-worthy presentation. Pick one of these methods for how to truss a turkey:
How to Truss a Thanksgiving Turkey – Quick & Easy!
FAQ
Do I leave the plastic tie on the turkey legs?
When cooking a turkey, it is generally recommended to remove the plastic insert before cooking. The plastic insert is often found in the neck or body cavity of the turkey and is used to hold the legs in place during packaging (1). Here are some reasons why it is advised to remove the plastic insert:
Should I take the legs off my turkey?
Separating the dark meat from the white is the only way to nail the 20-degree temperature differential between properly cooked thighs and breasts. As a delicious added plus, separated legs can be slow-cooked to break down their connective tissue and provide a wonderfully silky mouthfeel.
Should you tie the legs together when smoking a turkey?
To truss or not to truss is ultimately up to you, but most cooks can agree that a trussed turkey looks better on the platter.Oct 5, 2023
Should Turkey Legs be tied?
When the legs are tied, the heat from the oven may not be able to penetrate as deeply, leading to undercooked areas. On the other hand, the legs may end up overcooking, particularly if the turkey is cooked at a high temperature. Another argument against tying the legs is that it can lead to dry, tough meat.
Do Turkey Leg ties make a roast tastier?
Tieing turkey legs do not necessarily make your roast any tastier. Any con you experience will be because you tied or wrapped the turkey too snugly. The skin may not brown evenly. Moreover, when you roast turkey with tied legs, heat may not circulate properly and reach the inner surface of the joints. Should you use turkey leg ties before roasting?
Should you tie a Turkey?
Additionally, tying the turkey can help it retain its juices and moisture, resulting in a more tender and flavorful final product. By keeping the legs and wings close to the body, the turkey is able to cook more uniformly, with the heat distributing evenly throughout the meat.
Should you tie up a trussed Turkey?
The main reason why it is advisable to tie turkey legs is so that it cooks evenly. It also helps to retain the juice and keep the wings and legs together with the body. More so, when you do not truss the turkey, it is left loose for air to circulate through. Should you tie up an untrussed Turkey?
How do you untruss a turkey leg?
Make sure it’s secured but not too tight. To untruss, simply use scissors or a knife to snip and remove any existing string, metal clamps, or wrapping around the legs. And keep in mind you can always tie or retie the legs later for presentation after the turkey is fully roasted and resting.
Can you tie turkey legs with dental floss?
Dental floss: Tie up your bird or bundle with dental floss. It’ll hold things together just as securely as the twine. Stick to plain, unwaxed floss so you don’t flavor your food with mint or risk having melted wax ignite in the oven. Should you tie turkey legs? The main reason why it is advisable to tie turkey legs is so that it cooks evenly.