How To Cook the Perfect Turkey This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is all about reunions, merrymaking, gratitude and great food! The turkey is the heart of most Thanksgiving feasts and we’re here to help you cook a perfect one. Heads up — your turkey is going to turn out succulent and juicy given that you follow our recipe from start to finish.

Turkey Cooking Pre-requisites To Be Mindful Of

We suggest getting a fresh turkey but if that’s not an option, you’ll need to thaw it completely. If you’ve got a frozen turkey, the best way to thaw it is in the refrigerator. A rule of thumb is to thaw it for 24 hours for every five pounds. If your turkey weighs around 15 pounds, that will require at least 40 to 48 hours.

Secondly, you’d have to preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It should take you about three hours to perfectly cook a 15-pound turkey. To find out if your turkey is done, you’ll need to insert a thermometer around the thickest part of the thigh area. If the turkey is done, it should read around 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ingredients you’ll need for a flavorful turkey:

Your main course has the power to make or break your feast. The secret to making a perfect turkey is ensuring flavors are perfect on the inside while keeping the meat tender. Here’s everything you’re going to need for your Thanksgiving meal’s centerpiece:

• 13 to 15-pound whole turkey
• 2 tbsp rosemary
• 2 tbsp dried parsley
• 2 tbsp dried thyme leaves
• 2 tbsp sage (fresh)
• 2 lemons (wedges)
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 medium-sized onion (round cuts)
• 3 tbsp garlic paste
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• 1 cup chicken broth

Preparation:

If you want your turkey to turn out aromatic, tasty, moist and tender, you’ll need to follow the following three steps:

     1. Seasoning

• Rosemary, parsley, thyme leaves, salt, black pepper, fresh sage, vinegar and garlic paste are all the ingredients you’ll need to season your turkey. You should do this by mixing all the ingredients and rubbing them all over the turkey. Make sure to cover all the cavities. 
• You can make a cut or two in the turkey breast and thighs to better inject the flavor. You can also use a basting brush to cover hard-to-reach areas.
• Once you’re done, leave your turkey to rest for at least an hour or two before setting it up for cooking.

     2. Oven setup

• Get aluminum foil long and wide enough to cover the whole turkey.
• Make sure to stuff the turkey with onions, lemon wedges, carrots and celery before wrapping it in.
• Pour the chicken broth and champagne over the turkey.
• Place the turkey wrapped in foil inside the roasting pan. Place the pan inside the oven.

     3. Roasting

Make sure you roast the turkey until you can see the juices pouring all around. Once that’s done, remove the foil and wait until the turkey’s skin becomes golden brown. The juices will turn into a more viscous gravy by then.

Final Thoughts

We like to serve our turkey with round slices of boiled eggs and baked potato. Some other complementary dishes include sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans and corn on the cob.

Most people prefer cooking a turkey on Thanksgiving because the bird is rather plentiful. It’s possible for you to get intimidated while cooking a holiday meal as big as this one, especially when all your family and friends are over. Lucky for you, you’ve now got a recipe you can’t go wrong with!