The contents of the bird, namely the package containing the turkey giblets and the turkey neck, must be dealt with by anyone planning a classic Thanksgiving meal, whether it be for the holidays or any other time. The frugal cook doesnt throw out any of these tidbits, since you can use all of it.
Ah, Thanksgiving. A time for family friends, and of course, a delicious turkey feast. But before you pop that bird in the oven, there’s a crucial step you need to take: removing the neck.
Yes you read that right. That little, often-overlooked pouch tucked inside the turkey’s cavity? That’s the neck, and leaving it there can have some pretty unpleasant consequences.
The Gross Factor: Spoiled Meat and Bacteria
The neck is a prime breeding ground for bacteria, and if left inside the turkey during cooking, it can contaminate the meat. This can lead to food poisoning, with all its unpleasant symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Not exactly the festive way to end your Thanksgiving dinner.
The Flavor Factor: A Soggy, Unpleasant Bird
The neck is also full of fat and connective tissue, which can make the turkey greasy and give it a less-than-desirable texture. Additionally, the neck can trap moisture inside the bird, resulting in a soggy, undercooked mess.
The Safety Factor: A Fire Hazard
Believe it or not, leaving the neck in a turkey can actually be a fire hazard. The fat in the neck can drip onto the hot oven bottom, causing flames to erupt. This is especially risky if you’re using a gas oven.
The Bottom Line: Remove the Neck for a Safe and Delicious Turkey
So, the next time you’re preparing a turkey, do yourself (and your guests) a favor and remove the neck. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in the safety and quality of your Thanksgiving feast.
Tips for Removing the Neck:
- Locate the neck: It’s usually tucked inside the cavity near the tail end of the turkey.
- Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to cut the skin around the neck.
- Pull the neck out gently, being careful not to tear the skin.
- Discard the neck or use it to make gravy or stock.
Additional Resources:
- The Trash Can Turkey: What Happens If You Leave the Neck in a Turkey?: https://thetrashcanturkey.com/what-happens-if-you-leave-the-neck-in-a-turkey/
- How to Remove the Neck and Giblets from a Turkey: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tq7MdOqw1c
- Turkey
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First, Thaw the Turkey
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Almost every whole turkey you see at the grocery store has giblets and a neck that are located in the neck cavity (to the front) or the body cavity (to the back). The majority of these are frozen, so before trying to remove the insides, a frozen turkey must be completely thawed. The turkey will still be frozen inside if you try to remove them too soon, and these parts will become stuck. Their paper or plastic packaging may rip, rip, or stick, making it difficult to handle and generally becoming a mess.
There are a few different ways to thaw a frozen turkey. For every 4-5 pounds, allow about 24 hours in the refrigerator or 30 minutes in cold water. While thawing your turkey in the refrigerator takes longer, the cold water method—which is typically done in the sink—takes more time and requires more work because you have to change the water about every 30 minutes. However, you must consider the possibility of salmonella contamination while the turkey thaws, so handle it with caution. Just be sure that its kept separate from other food and food-preparation areas.
Turkey Neck on Its Own
You can also cook the neck as a dish by itself because it has a good amount of meat on it. To do this, use a sharp boning knife to divide the neck into 3-inch segments. Brown the segments in a skillet and then finish the dish in the oven. Some people compare the texture of turkey neck meat to that of short ribs. Additionally, you can pick up the pieces with your hands and chew the soft meat all the way down to the bone, just like with ribs.