For the last 4-5 Thanksgiving, I have cooked a turkey. My own turkey. I have learned a lot, never really failed, but definitely made some mistakes each year. But most importantly, I learned that cooking a turkey is not hard at all!!
This year we went to Mike's family's house for Thanksgiving, which meant I was going to have no opportunity to cook my own turkey. So, per usual, I created my own scenario to make a turkey. I had my team at work do a Thanksgiving potluck and I, of course, brought the turkey!
Here is what I do with my turkey to make it as good as I possibly can:
1. Put it in the pan like I did below (see pictures of perfect turkey placement). Follow the directions that come with the turkey on this one. No funny business.
2. RUB THE TURKEY - With anything, I don't care what - salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, spicy BBQ rub, Cajun seasoning, ANYTHING. Just rub it. Ok? Just using butter will NOT cut it.
3. Get the rub in, under, and around the skin.
4. Baste the heck out of it with melted butter or oil. (do this several times while its cooking)
5. Fill the gut with aromatics - Onions, parsley, rosemary, celery, carrots, apples, anything that seems good. I always put a little chicken broth cube in there as well to add some flavor and sodium.
6. Follow the cooking directions to a T. Timing is important to not dry out the Turkey, so don't mess with what is suggests based on weight - those Butterball people know what the are talking about.
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| Rub and instructions for my Turkey |
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| Turkey all rubbed and filled |
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| See how much I crammed in there? Apples, onions, and herbs this time! |
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| Done! Crispy! Golden! Juicy! Amazing! |
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| Look at the golden-ness! |
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| Turkey leg!!!! |
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| PERFECTION. |
What about you all? Do you have any turkey secrets that you use? Any special ingredients or hints that takes your turkey to the next level??
Cooking a turkey should not be intimidating scary, or a huge burden. It is actually fairly easy, just follow the directions, and enjoy it! I cooked my first turkey in my 4 bedroom apartment when I was a Junior in college for 15 people and it was a huge success. If college Emilee can do it... anyone can do it...
Until next time... Enjoy :o)