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Picture this: Its Thanksgiving morning. You have prepared the Thanksgiving decorations and your table settings. This Thanksgiving, you’re hosting a potluck, so the only preparation required is the bird.
Thus, what time and temperature should the turkey be baked at? How long does a 20-pound turkey take to cook? Should you have started cooking it early in the morning? And, oh no, does it need to be defrosted beforehand?
If it turns out to be an inedible turkey, you won’t be taking home many awards. Fortunately, we can assist in making sure your bird is cooked to perfection and not as dry as Uncle Bob’s boots. If you use these practical suggestions, your turkey will be the talk of the Thanksgiving feast.
Keywords: how long to rest a 20 lb turkey, turkey rest time, turkey cooking, Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas turkey
The holidays are approaching, and that means it’s time to start thinking about roasting a turkey. But before you can carve into that delicious bird, you need to know how long to rest it.
Resting a turkey is an important step in the cooking process. It allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy bird. But how long should you rest a turkey? The answer depends on a few factors including the size of the turkey and the cooking method.
For a 20-pound turkey, you should plan to rest it for at least 30 minutes If you’re cooking the turkey in a roasting pan, you can loosely tent it with foil to keep it warm while it rests
Why Rest a Turkey?
There are several reasons why resting a turkey is important:
- Redistributes juices: Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy bird.
- Improves carving: A rested turkey is easier to carve because the muscles have relaxed.
- Prevents drying out: Resting helps to prevent the turkey from drying out by allowing the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat.
How to Rest a Turkey
Here’s how to rest a turkey:
- Remove the turkey from the oven and place it on a large platter or cutting board.
- Tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil.
- Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure not to touch the bone.
- Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Carve the turkey and enjoy!
Tips for Resting a Turkey
Here are some tips for resting a turkey:
- Make sure the turkey is completely cooked before resting it. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil to help retain heat.
- Do not let the turkey rest for too long. If the turkey rests for too long, the juices will start to congeal and the meat will become dry.
- Carve the turkey and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Long Should A 20-Pound Turkey Rest Before Carving?
Answer: A 20-pound turkey should rest for about 30 to 40 minutes before carving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that the turkey remains moist and flavorful when served.
2. Is It Necessary To Cover The Turkey While It Rests?
Answer: Yes, it is advisable to loosely cover the turkey with aluminum foil while it rests. This helps to keep it warm without making the skin soggy, preserving the crispness of the skin.
3. Can Resting Time Vary Based On Cooking Method?
Answer: Yes, the resting time can vary slightly depending on the cooking method. For instance, a turkey cooked in a convection oven might require a slightly shorter resting time compared to one roasted in a traditional oven. However, the general guideline of 30 to 40 minutes still applies.
4. What Happens If You Don’t Rest The Turkey Long Enough?
Answer: If a turkey doesn’t rest long enough, the juices haven’t had sufficient time to redistribute, which can result in a drier, less flavorful meat. Cutting into the turkey too soon can cause these juices to run out, leaving the meat less moist.
5. How Does Resting Affect The Overall Flavor And Texture Of The Turkey?
Answer: Resting significantly affects the overall flavor and texture of the turkey. It allows the meat to reabsorb the juices that have been driven to its center during cooking, leading to a moist, tender, and flavorful final product.
Resting a turkey is an important step in the cooking process. By following the tips in this article, you can rest your turkey properly and ensure that it’s cooked to perfection.
Fully Defrosting the Turkey
Defrosting should ideally begin up to a week in advance. For every four pounds of frozen turkey, it will take about one (1) day to defrost in the refrigerator. Although there are speedier ways, this is the most effective method for complete, even defrosting.
In order to properly defrost a 20-pound turkey, allow the bird to thaw out over the course of five to six days. Just place the turkey on a sizable rimmed baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator to thaw (if not already wrapped, cover with plastic wrap). It really is as simple as that!.
Turkeys should be cooked slowly, so when you’re ready to begin, preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator. Unwrap it (if applicable) and remove the neck and giblets. (Save the neck for roasting and the giblets for gravy. As the oven preheats, leave the turkey at room temperature for one hour. (This is a good time to season the turkey. Weve got suggestions below. ).
Do I Need to Brine or Baste My Turkey?
Grandma may have done one or the other, but in most cases, basting and brining aren’t helpful. Brine the turkey if you’ve purchased a heritage variety or are preparing a wild variety, which tends to be tastier and smaller.
When you buy store-bought turkeys, they are usually already quite moist, so brining doesn’t really make a difference. It’s not absolutely necessary, but you can use brine to help impart seasoning throughout the meat by drying the bird. ).
When it comes to basting, butting the turkey in advance will help keep the meat moist and will accomplish a crispy golden brown exterior much more effectively. As an added benefit, you won’t have to open the oven frequently, which lowers the temperature and extends the cooking time.