How to Roast a Turkey – learn easy techniques to perfectly roast a turkey. Step by step instructions from start to finish.
Cooking the perfect juicy and golden brown turkey is the centerpiece of many holiday meals. But one question that often puzzles novice cooks is whether you need to cover the turkey while it’s roasting in the oven. The simple answer is yes – covering your turkey for part of the cooking time is essential for ensuring a moist, tender bird. However, uncovered roasting is also necessary at the end to crisp up the skin. Here’s a complete guide to covering techniques for the best roast turkey.
Why You Should Cover Your Turkey Initially
Covering your turkey serves an important purpose – it prevents the delicate breast meat from drying out in the hot oven. The breast cooks faster than the legs and wings because it has less fat and connective tissue. So it’s extra prone to overcooking and moisture loss.
Tenting foil over the breast is a classic technique that provides insulation The foil traps steam to keep the meat tender. Alternatively, you can cook the turkey in a covered roaster The tight lid essentially braises the bird by sealing in moisture. Both methods yield incredibly juicy meat that stays succulent all the way through carving.
Covering also promotes even cooking It slows down the heating of the breast so it has a chance to finish cooking at the same time as the legs and thighs This prevents the breast from drying out while you wait for the dark meat to become tender,
Why the Turkey Should Be Uncovered at the End
Although covering is crucial initially, the turkey does need some uncovered time in the oven. Those last 30 minutes or so without the foil or lid serve an important purpose – crisping and browning the skin.
That irresistibly crunchy mahogany skin is one of the best parts of roast turkey. But to achieve it, the skin needs direct exposure to the dry oven heat. Covering the entire time will steam the skin and leave it pale, limp and rubbery.
Finishing the turkey uncovered also allows the skin to fully brown. The Maillard reaction produces rich, complex flavors as the natural sugars in the skin react with the oven heat. So uncovered roasting boosts both the texture and taste.
How Long to Cover the Turkey
A good rule of thumb is to cover the turkey for about 75% of the total cooking time. For the last 30 minutes, remove any foil or lid so the skin can crispen up.
For example, if your turkey needs to cook for 3 hours total, keep it covered for the first 2 hours and 15 minutes. Then uncover and continue roasting until it reaches the target internal temperature.
The timing will vary depending on the size of your turkey and your particular oven. Start checking the skin’s progress after removing the cover. If it seems to be browning too quickly, tent foil over the extremities like the wings and legs to prevent burning.
The Best Ways to Cover Your Turkey
There are three main methods for covering roast turkey:
1. Roasting in a Covered Pan
Turkey roasters with lids are designed to mimic braising. Pouring a bit of broth in the bottom steams the meat. Covered roasters produce incredibly moist, tender turkey but can compromise crispy skin. Be sure to uncover toward the end for browning.
2. Tenting Foil Over the Breast
Tenting foil over just the breast keeps it from drying out. Air circulation all around the rest of the turkey helps ensure crunchy skin. Remove the foil for the last 30 minutes.
3. Covering with Cheesecloth
Soaking cheesecloth in butter or herbs and draping it over the turkey adds flavor. Like foil, cheesecloth should come off late in cooking for crisping.
Special Considerations for Covering
-
Brining or salting the turkey boosts moisture retention, so less covering time may be needed.
-
Meat thermometers are essential for accurately gauging doneness instead of relying on time.
-
If using a covered roaster, check that your turkey fits with room to spare.
-
Avoid opening the oven door frequently, which lowers the temperature and extends cooking time.
-
Tenting just the breast is ideal for crisp skin; total tenting works best for ultra-moist meat.
-
Let the turkey rest 20 minutes before carving so juices redistribute evenly.
The Takeaway
Covering your turkey with foil, cheesecloth or a lid is crucial for keeping the delicate breast meat juicy and preventing drying. But allowing the turkey to finish uncovered gives you the crispy, browned skin that makes roasted turkey so iconic. Follow this simple covered to uncovered method, and you’ll have the best of both worlds – a turkey that’s moist on the inside with the perfect crusty, golden exterior.
Cover The Turkey And Roast
Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and cook covered for 2 hours. Remove the aluminum foil and transfer the turkey back to the oven.
Make The Herb Butter Mixture
In a small saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Add the lemon zest and juice and the teaspoon of thyme to the butter and stir. Set aside.
First, you’ll need to place the onions, celery and carrots in the bottom of a roasting rack, then place the rack on top. Place the turkey breast side up on top of the roasting rack.
Tuck the wing tips under the body of the turkey, this will help stabilize the turkey when carving, plus it makes it easier to carve the breast. Tie the legs together with butcher twine.
Brush the turkey with the butter mixture generously over the entire turkey. Use all the butter. Next, you’ll want to season it with salt and pepper all around. Make sure to season a bit inside the cavity as well.
You can pour a little of water in the bottom of the roasting pan, but keep in mind the turkey will release drippings as well as it cooks. However, if you’re making gravy, it’s best to add about a cup of water to the roasting pan.
Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered?
FAQ
Is it better to cook a turkey covered or uncovered?
Cover from the beginning, then remove the foil for the final 30 minutes of cooking. The foil helps the meat stay juicy. By ending with the turkey uncovered, “the skin will be able to brown and crisp up,” Brekke says, before resting, slicing, and serving.
Do you cover a turkey with aluminum foil while baking?
Should the turkey be covered while baking? Yes, cover the turkey, either with aluminum foil or the lid from the roaster. Covering the turkey will help keep the meat moist. Removing the foil partway through the cooking will help brown the skin.
What is the secret to a moist turkey?
Baste It Another key to a delicious, juicy turkey is to baste as it cooks. Basting is also the key to delicious pan drippings and gravy! I love the combination of melted butter, chicken broth, and a little bit of cooking sherry for this turkey. Rich and flavorful, just as Thanksgiving and the holidays should be.
Do you put anything in the bottom of the pan when roasting a turkey?
Put some water in the bottom of the sheet pan because the turkey won’t produce the amount of juices other methods produce and will scorch in the oven unless you put half an inch or so in the bottome of the cooking pan (remember to have an alternative plan for your turkey gravy!).