Whether you’re Googling “how to carve a turkey” or need a quick refresher, we have the simple steps you need to know to make carving turkey easy work.
Katie Workman, the creator behind The Mom 100, put together a guide to walk you through this important job. Her advice? Don’t be intimidated, don’t rush and take it one step at a time.
This turkey tutorial, edited for clarity, comes courtesy of the National Turkey Federation. See more turkey recipes at www.eatturkey.org.
Cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner is a big undertaking After spending hours preparing, seasoning, stuffing and roasting your bird to perfection, you want to make sure you let it rest properly before carving so it turns out moist, flavorful and safe to eat But exactly how long can a cooked turkey sit at room temperature before bacteria start to grow and compromise food safety?
As a passionate home cook who loves hosting holiday dinners, I’ve researched this question extensively over the years. In this article I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how long you can let your turkey rest after cooking along with tips to keep it warm and delicious until it’s time to carve.
Why You Should Let the Turkey Rest Before Carving
It may be tempting to dive right in and start slicing your piping hot turkey straight out of the oven. But doing so will lead to dry, disappointing results. As with many meats, letting the turkey rest after roasting allows time for the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat. The proteins need a chance to reabsorb some of the moisture forced out during cooking.
If you cut into the turkey too soon, the built-up juices will run out onto your cutting board rather than staying locked into the meat. You’ll end up with flavorless slices bathed in a puddle of wasted turkey juice. No one wants that!
So after your turkey reaches the ideal internal temperature of 165°F, resist the urge to carve. Letting it rest gives you the best shot at a tender, succulent bird that will impress your guests.
The Ideal Resting Time for Whole Turkeys
How long should you let your turkey relax before diving in? Recommendations vary but in general whole turkeys need 20-30 minutes of resting time. Larger birds on the 15-20 pound range benefit from resting for a full 30-45 minutes.
The extra time allows the heat to finish distributing from the outer portions to the center. It also lets the temperature cool down a bit so you can handle it safely. Remember, the turkey will still cook 5-10°F more as it rests.
For boneless turkey breasts, a shorter rest of 15-20 minutes is sufficient since the meat is thinner. The juices don’t have as far to travel to redistribute.
Tips to Keep Your Turkey Warm While Resting
A major concern when letting your turkey hang out after roasting is that it will cool down too much before serving. Follow these tips to keep it piping hot during the resting period:
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Loosely tent the turkey with aluminum foil, which traps steam and heat. Avoid tightly covering it or the skin will get soggy.
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Place it on a rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet to allow air circulation.
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You can also place the entire baking sheet setup in a warm oven set to 200°F. This keeps the meat hot without further cooking.
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Wrap a towel around the covered turkey for extra insulation.
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Rest it in a warm spot of the kitchen, away from drafts.
Is It Safe to Leave a Turkey at Room Temp for Hours?
From a food safety standpoint, it’s risky to let cooked turkey linger for too long at room temperature after roasting. The USDA recommends never leaving meat, poultry or any perishables out of refrigeration for more than two hours (one hour if temps exceed 90°F).
Bacteria like salmonella begin multiplying rapidly on cooked foods within this window. Even after reaching a safe 165°F internal temperature during roasting, turkey should not sit in the “danger zone” between 40-140°F for extended periods.
So while you want to let your turkey rest sufficiently after cooking, don’t let it go much beyond 30-45 minutes. Otherwise, harmful pathogens could grow and cause foodborne illness.
As a rule of thumb, never leave any cooked turkey out for more than two hours total – including roasting time plus resting time. When in doubt, play it safe and put it straight into the fridge or freezer to cool quickly. Then reheat fully later before serving.
Can You Refrigerate a Cooked Turkey Right Away?
Rather than serving your holiday bird immediately, you may prefer to cook it a day or two ahead. In this case, you’ll let the fully cooked turkey rest just long enough to allow carryover cooking to complete and the juices to settle.
After 20-30 minutes, it’s safe to go directly into the refrigerator or freezer to rapidly cool it down. Tightly cover the carcass in plastic wrap or foil before refrigerating. Slice off the breast and leg meat to chill in shallow containers.
This approach gives you the freedom to prepare your turkey early when your oven isn’t filled with side dishes. Just be sure to reheat it thoroughly later on serving day until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F again. Bring gravy and slices to a simmer or quick roast the entire chilled turkey for 1-2 hours.
Handling Leftover Turkey Safely
Speaking of leftovers, properly stored cooked turkey keeps well for 3-4 days refrigerated. Slice meat off the bones and store turkey pieces in airtight containers. Refrigerate leftover gravy and stuffing separately.
You can also carve up any extra turkey right after dinner and immediately freeze portions for longer storage. Frozen turkey maintains optimal quality for 3-4 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Always reheat leftovers to 165°F. Boil gravy and soups, and roast deli meat slices and casseroles until steaming hot throughout before serving again. Don’t take risks with leftovers languishing in the danger zone too long.
Letting Your Turkey Rest for the Best Flavor
Part of the reason holiday gatherings center around turkey is for its delicious flavor. All your effort marinating, basting and roasting will go to waste if you don’t let the turkey rest before carving. Those flavorful juices need time to set so they get soaked up into the meat instead of spilling out onto the carving board.
So be patient and let your beautifully browned bird relax a bit once the thickest part of the breast reaches about 160°F. For optimal safety and mouthwatering moistness, keep your whole roasted turkey tented at room temperature for a minimum of 20 minutes, or up to 30-45 minutes for larger birds.
Follow these simple guidelines, and your holiday meals will be remembered for juicy, tender turkey with incredible flavor your guests can’t get enough of. Trust me, it’s worth the short wait. Just keep the cooks and kids out of the kitchen so no one sneaks an early slice!
Step 2: Remove the wings.
Remove the wings in the same way you removed the legs. If the wings are tucked behind the bird, untuck them. Using your knife, cut through the skin between a wing and the bird. Gently pull the wing outward, then cut through the joint separating the wing from the body. Remove the second wing. Place them on the serving platter.
Step 4: Separate the thigh and the drumstick
Wipe down your cutting board. Return the turkey legs to the cutting board, skin side up. Separate the thighs from the drumsticks by slicing between them at the joint. Repeat with the other leg. Place the drumsticks on the serving platter.
How to Rest Your Turkey Before Carving
FAQ
Can you wait too long to carve a turkey?
How Long Should a Roasted Turkey Rest Before Carving? At least 30 minutes–this is not a myth. If you let the turkey rest a bit, the juices reabsorb into the meat rather than running out of the bird and landing on the cutting board. Carve it to order. The longer you let it sit after you slice it, the drier it will be.
How long can you rest a turkey before carving?
Leave your turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes after roasting to allow the juices to redistribute themselves and the meat fibres to relax, otherwise you …
Can you let the turkey sit for too long?
Leaving cooked turkey out for a few hours can be cause for concern. Bacteria thrive at temperatures between 41 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is exactly where room temperature falls. Bacteria can be introduced onto your turkey if it is not cooked properly, by other raw foods through cross-contamination, or by humans.
How long should turkey sit out before cutting?
About 45 minutes or so gives it time to reabsorb the juices; otherwise they’ll dribble out when you slice, and the meat will be dry.Nov 27, 2024
How long should a Turkey rest before carving?
Do you like this article? The optimal amount of time to let your turkey rest before carving is 20 to 30 minutes. This resting period is crucial as it allows the internal temperature of the turkey to even out, ensuring a tender and juicy bird. Resting the turkey before carving also makes it easier to handle.
How long should a Turkey rest before slicing?
Let the turkey rest 30-45 minutes depending on size for juicy meat that holds in its natural juices instead of leaking them onto the cutting board. Resting redistributes the juices back into the meat. Does turkey need to rest before slicing? Yes, always let turkey rest after roasting and before carving.
How long should you rest a smoked turkey before carving?
If you smoked your turkey, plan only to rest it for 15 to 30 minutes, and we recommend wrapping it in aluminum foil for best results. As you can see, 45 minutes is a long time to wait for your turkey to be ready to carve. But don’t worry, as this gives you plenty of time to prepare those amazing side dishes.
How long should a carved turkey be refrigerated?
Keep the turkey in a warm, draft-free area as it rests to prevent cooling too quickly. For easier handling, you can transfer the turkey to a cutting board to rest before moving it back to the roasting pan for carving. If resting longer than 1 hour, carved turkey should be refrigerated within 2 hours total time at room temp.
When should you carve a Turkey?
For optimal quality, it’s best to carve the turkey soon after the recommended resting time. But if your dinner timing requires holding the cooked turkey longer, you have a few options: Carve then refrigerate – Carve the turkey after it has rested sufficiently, then refrigerate the sliced or pulled meat in shallow containers to cool quickly.
Should you carve a Turkey before or after stuffing comes out?
Carving turkey before resting means dry meat, lost juices and flavor, uneven cooking, and a harder to carve bird. Always let turkey rest 30-45 minutes after roasting for best texture and moisture. Should you rest a turkey before or after stuffing comes out? Remove the stuffing from the turkey cavity before resting.