Neither chefs nor food writers can agree on whether—or why—youd want to tie up your turkey. A bird without a truss is said to cook faster because its legs are spread out and get more hot air. This makes the skin crispier as well. Others claim that the breasts of an untrussed turkey aren’t protected by the legs and therefore overcook.
It doesn’t matter if you like a wet-brined, dry-brined, or smoked turkey—trussing makes for a turkey that is perfect for the 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. If you want to make a turkey that’s good enough for company without all the work of traditional trussing, just follow these steps. Heres how to tie a turkey.
For many home cooks trussing a turkey can be an intimidating task. Traditionally, it involves tying up the legs and wings with kitchen twine or butcher’s string so that the bird cooks evenly. But what if you don’t have any twine on hand? Don’t worry – you can still truss your turkey using common household items. Read on to learn how to truss up your bird like a pro no twine required.
Why Should You Truss a Turkey?
Trussing serves a few important purposes:
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It keeps the wings and legs close to the body so they don’t overcook and burn
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It gives the turkey a compact shape so it cooks evenly
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It allows the breast meat to cook through without drying out.
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It makes for a beautiful presentation when you carry the turkey to the table.
Step-by-Step Guide to Trussing a Turkey Without Twine
While kitchen twine is standard, you can employ a few simple twine substitutes to truss your bird. Here’s how to do it:
1. Prepare your turkey
Remove the giblets from the cavity. Rinse the turkey inside and out, and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels.
2. Tuck the wings under
Fold the wings back and tuck them under the body. This prevents them from burning.
3. Fasten the legs together
Cross the turkey’s legs and use short skewers or toothpicks to secure them together. Push them through the drumsticks and into the body.
4. Close up the cavity
Insert skewers parallel through the cavity opening to close it up. You can also use aluminum foil to wrap around the cavity.
5. Bind up the bird
Use dental floss, aluminum foil strips, or elastic bands to wrap around the turkey and tie up the legs. Make sure it’s snug but not too tight.
6. Insert skewers (optional)
For extra security, slide skewers through the breast meat perpendicular to the legs. This really compacts the turkey.
That’s it! Your turkey is now neatly trussed and ready for the oven. The legs and wings will stay in place, leading to even cooking.
Creative Twine Substitutes for Trussing Turkey
If you’re in a bind without standard kitchen twine, don’t fret. You likely have something on hand that will work just as well to truss your turkey:
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Dental floss – This waxed string works perfectly to tightly tie up your bird.
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Aluminum foil – Tear off strips and twist into thick bands for wrapping around the turkey.
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Elastic bands – The kind used to tie back hair can bind the legs and wings in place.
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Paper clips – Clamp these along the legs and cavity to secure everything.
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Rubber bands – Larger rubber bands have enough stretch to hold the turkey’s shape.
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Zip ties – Cinch them tightly around the legs and body to bring them in.
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Electrical tape – Wrap pieces of this sticky tape around the turkey parts you want to secure.
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Butcher’s cord – If you have this nylon rope, it substitutes well for twine.
Troubleshooting Trussing Issues
Trussing without twine does take some finesse. Here are some common issues and how to prevent them:
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If your turkey won’t stay securely tied, try using more skewers. Or wrap multiple bands of foil or floss around the body.
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If the legs slide out of position, make sure to skewer the drumsticks directly into the turkey.
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If the wings come loose, tuck them under the bird as tightly as possible before binding them up.
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If the cavity opens up, pack it with aromatic vegetables so skewers or bands stay tightly wrapped.
With practice, you’ll get the hang of keeping your turkey nicely bound with everyday objects. Don’t let a lack of kitchen twine stop you from trussing up a beautiful bird! Follow these simple steps for a restaurant-worthy presentation. Your holiday guests will be impressed with your trussing skills.
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:
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 while the legs are cooking. 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.
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FAQ
What can I use instead of twine for turkey?
How to truss without twine?
What else can I use to tie turkey legs?
How to truss a turkey with toothpicks?
How do you truss a Turkey?
Using a long piece of kitchen twine, tie the ends of the legs together tightly. Test Kitchen Tip: Some turkeys come with a metal or plastic piece that holds the legs together called a “hock lock.” If you’re roasting your bird unstuffed, you can leave this in place. Voila: Your bird is already trussed and you can skip those three steps above!
Can you truss a turkey without using twine?
Chef and influencer Sohla El-Waylly shares a trick for trussing a turkey without using twine. In an Instagram reel, she demonstrates how to prepare a dry-brined roast turkey for Thanksgiving.
How do you make a turkey wing with twine?
Steps 1. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat dry with paper towels. 2. If you are using kitchen twine, cut a piece about 3 feet long. 3. Center the turkey breast-side up on a cutting board. 4. Starting at the neck end of the turkey, bring the twine under the wings and around the back of the neck.
How do you tie a turkey legs together?
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 using Shepherd’s knot?
To truss a turkey using the Shepherd’s Knot method, you will need the following materials: Instructions: 1. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels. 2. Place the turkey breast-side up on a cutting board. 3. Cut a piece of kitchen string or butcher’s twine about 3 feet long. 4.
How do you tie a turkey wings?
Place the turkey breast-side up on a cutting board. 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. Introduction