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.
Tying down or trussing a turkey before roasting is an essential technique for achieving evenly cooked meat, crisp skin, and a beautiful presentation. While it may seem intimidating, trussing a turkey is actually quite simple with some kitchen twine, basic tools, and these step-by-step instructions.
Why Bother Tying Down A Turkey?
Trussing a turkey serves several useful purposes
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It allows the turkey to cook evenly since the wings and legs are secured close to the body This prevents the extremities from drying out or overcooking.
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Tucking the wings under and tying the legs together creates a compact, orderly shape so the turkey roasts uniformly.
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It looks beautiful when roasted and carved. A well-trussed turkey makes for gorgeous holiday table presentation.
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It helps the turkey rest stably on the roasting pan without wobbling.
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It keeps the wing tips from burning or charring in the hot oven.
So while tying a turkey is not absolutely necessary, it does provide practical cooking benefits besides just aesthetics. Many cooks recommend trussing for the most moist, tender, and uniform texture.
Tools You’ll Need For Trussing Turkeys
Tying up a bird for roasting doesn’t require any fancy gadgets or equipment. You’ll just need:
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Kitchen twine or butcher’s string. Cotton twine works best.
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A sharp skewer or thin knife. You’ll need this for securing the neck flap.
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Scissors for cutting the twine.
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A cutting board to place the turkey on while trussing.
While special trussing needles or turkey clamps can be used, simple kitchen string does a perfect job.
How To Tie A Turkey’s Legs Together
Securing the legs is the most important step in trussing a turkey. Here’s how to do it properly:
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Place the thawed, rinsed, and dried turkey breast side up on a cutting board or work surface.
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Take a long piece of kitchen twine, about 18-24 inches. Position it between both turkey legs.
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Cross one leg over the other, or criss-cross them.
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Wrap the string very tightly around the crossed ankles several times, cinching the legs close together.
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Tie the legs together snugly with a double knot.
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Remove any excess string and trim the ends neatly.
This should hold the legs firmly together during roasting. For extra stability, use a butcher’s knot – wrap the string twice and tie a double knot.
How To Tie Down The Wings When Trussing
After securing the legs, it’s time to tie down the wings:
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Turn the turkey so it is breast side up again.
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Pull the tip of each wing back tightly and tuck it under the shoulders or back.
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Take another 12 inch piece of string. Wrap it once around the wings and body to bind them together.
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Tie it very tightly with a double knot at the neck end.
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Remove any excess string and trim the ends.
The tucked wings should now be held snugly against the breast and back.
How To Close Up The Turkey Cavity
For a plump, rounded shape, close the main cavity by:
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Loosely filling the neck and body cavities with aromatics like onions, herbs, lemons.
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Using a skewer to pin the neck skin flap closed and prevent leakage.
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Taking another piece of string and wrapping it around the widest part of the body cavity.
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Tying it very tightly with a double knot at the back end.
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Trimming any excess string.
This helps seal in the moisture and flavor.
Alternative Trussing Methods
If you are still unsure about trussing a turkey, there are a few easier options:
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Only tie the legs together and forget the wings and cavity.
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Use metal turkey leg clamps instead of kitchen string.
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Insert skewers through the wings and legs into the body.
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Roast the turkey untrussed and use foil to protect the extremities.
Any attempt at securing the legs will help the turkey cook more evenly. Don’t stress about trussing perfectly – just do what you are comfortable with.
How To Truss A Turkey Without Flipping It
Here is another method for trussing a turkey without having to flip it over multiple times:
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Place turkey breast side up on work surface.
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Tie legs together tightly with kitchen string.
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Insert a skewer into one wing, run it through the body, and insert into the other wing.
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Take string and loop it over the skewer ends on each side to secure the wings.
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Tie string together snugly at the breast.
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Fill neck and body cavity loosely with aromatics.
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Use skewers to pin neck skin closed and seal body cavity.
This technique holds the turkey together nicely without any flipping required.
Troubleshooting Trussing Problems
Having trouble getting your turkey tied up neatly? Here are some tips:
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Make sure the turkey is thoroughly thawed and any giblets are removed before trussing.
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Use fresh, tight cotton kitchen string that won’t snap easily.
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Pull all trussing strings very tight so the turkey holds its shape.
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Tie legs and wings as close to the body as possible so they don’t overcook.
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Use a skewer to reinforce the knots and prevent untying.
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Watch tutorial videos to learn the proper trussing techniques.
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Practice trussing a few times to get the motions down before the big meal.
Ready To Roast Your Tied Turkey
There you have it – a step-by-step guide to easily trussing your Thanksgiving or holiday turkey. Tying the legs, wings, and cavity takes just a few minutes once you get the hang of it. Your beautifully bound bird will roast up evenly cooked, juicy, and picture perfect. Impress your family and guests with your professional turkey trussing skills!
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 Turkey
FAQ
What does it mean when a recipe says to truss a turkey?
Trussing is a method of keeping all the poultry’s meat as close to the center as possible: A compact shape facilitates more even cooking so that the breast and leg meat are done at around the same time.
Can you use any string to tie a turkey?
3. 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.Oct 9, 2018
How do you tie a turkey leg up with twine?
Cut a long piece of kitchen twine and position the mid-point between the turkey legs. Bring the legs together and wrap the twine around them a couple of times. Tie firmly and cut off most of the excess twine. Check out our collection of Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes.
How do you truss a Turkey?
Fold the wings behind the turkey’s back. Tuck the legs underneath the turkey. Use kitchen twine to tie the legs together. Tie the wings to the body of the turkey. Trussing a turkey is a simple way to help keep the bird in a compact shape while it cooks, resulting in a more evenly cooked and moist turkey. Do you need twine to truss a Turkey?
How do you tie a turkey wing?
Tuck the turkey wings underneath the body of the turkey, just beneath the base of the leg. Wrap the string around the turkey wing to secure it to the body, then tie the string to the turkey legs. This prevents the wings from dangling down where they could burn. Cross the turkey legs and tie them snugly together with string.
How do you tie a Turkey to a drumstick?
Or, you can simply use twine, kite string, or unwaxed dental floss to hold the legs together. If you’re using this method, follow these steps for how to tie a turkey: Cross the turkey’s “ankles” (the ends of the drumsticks) one over the other. Wrap twine around them and make a regular (overhand) knot to secure them. How do you truss a Turkey?
How do you fill a turkey breast with twine?
Turn the turkey so the opening of the chest cavity is facing you. Loosely fill with stuffing or aromatics (optional). Cut a long piece of kitchen twine and position the mid-point between the turkey legs. Bring the legs together and wrap the twine around them a couple of times. Tie firmly and cut off most of the excess twine.
How do you tie a rotisserie turkey?
Here are some rotisserie turkey tying tips: Use fresh sturdy kitchen string or butcher’s twine. Check ties periodically to ensure legs and wings stay bound. Do not tie cavity overly tight or skin may tear. Allow for natural expansion. Balance turkey evenly so it rotates properly on the spit. Add herbs/oil/marinade after tying so skin stays intact.