How Long Should You Rest a Turkey?

How to cook a turkey? Don’t waste your time with other posts. Here’s the plain truth: The secret to perfect turkey is proper control of turkey temperature. And that’s our jam. Use whatever recipe you like—deep-fry it, smoke it, roast it, whatever. But neglect these fundamental principles at your own peril!.

Turkey Doneness Temp: 157°F (69°C) in the breast—not 165°F!, and 175°F (79°C) in the thigh for moist turkey. (USDA charts here or read more below to see why this is safe. ).

The question of how long to rest a turkey is a hotly debated topic, with even renowned chefs like Gordon Ramsay offering differing opinions. While Ramsay advocates for resting a turkey for the same amount of time as it cooks, others suggest shorter resting periods So, who’s right?

The Science Behind Resting a Turkey

When a turkey is cooked, the muscle fibers contract, squeezing out juices Resting the turkey allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more succulent and flavorful bird The longer the turkey rests, the more juices are reabsorbed, leading to a juicier and more tender final product.

Ramsay’s Recommendation

Gordon Ramsay, known for his meticulous approach to cooking, recommends resting a turkey for the same amount of time as it cooks This extended resting period, according to Ramsay, ensures maximum juice retention and optimal flavor

Other Opinions

While Ramsay’s recommendation is valid, other culinary experts suggest shorter resting times. The National Turkey Federation recommends resting a turkey for 20-30 minutes, while the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line advises a 30-minute rest.

The Ideal Resting Time

The ideal resting time for a turkey depends on several factors, including the size of the bird, the cooking method, and personal preference. Larger turkeys require longer resting times, while smaller birds may only need 20-30 minutes. Additionally, turkeys cooked at higher temperatures may benefit from a longer rest to allow the juices to redistribute more evenly.

Ultimately, the best way to determine the ideal resting time for your turkey is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, ensuring it doesn’t touch the bone. The turkey is done resting when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Tips for Resting a Turkey

Tent the turkey with foil: This helps trap the heat and prevent the turkey from drying out.
Place the turkey on a wire rack: This allows air to circulate around the bird, promoting even cooling.
Rest the turkey in a warm place: A warm kitchen or oven (turned off) is ideal.
Avoid carving the turkey too soon: Carving the turkey before it has fully rested will result in lost juices and a dry bird.

Resting a turkey is an essential step in ensuring a juicy and flavorful bird. While Gordon Ramsay’s recommendation of resting for the same amount of time as cooking is valid, shorter resting times may also be sufficient. The ideal resting time depends on several factors, and using a meat thermometer is the best way to determine when the turkey is ready to carve. By following these tips, you can ensure your turkey is cooked to perfection and enjoyed by all.

IS IT SAFE TO EAT?

The other challenge is that people misinterpret the food safety tables put out by the USDA. Achieving a reduction of the poultry pathogen Salmonella is a function of both time and temperature. Note this screenshot from the USDA’s own tables on turkey safety….

how long do you let turkey rest

This shows that a turkey held at 157°F (69°C) for 50. 4 seconds will achieve the same lethality on Salmonella as a turkey cooked to 165°F (74°C) does instantaneously. And what are the chances that a turkey pulled at 20157%C2%B0F%20(69%C2%B0C) will stay at that temperature for at least a minute? 20100% because of a process known as carryover cooking. The temperature is actually guaranteed to keep going up for a spell after you stop cooking.

In the meantime, the turkey’s white meat will begin to lose water when the temperature reaches 150°F (60°C), and by the time it reaches 165°F (74°C), it will be bone dry.

Do your family a favor this Thanksgiving. Pull your turkey from the oven or smoker at 157°F (69°C). But remember to verify!.

With those big questions out of the way, let’s get down to brass tacks. Here’s the best advice you’ll find on how to cook an amazing turkey. It starts right up front with the thaw….

PART 3: TRACKING YOUR TURKEY’S INTERNAL TEMPERATURE

The more uniform a piece of meat is in shape and size, the more evenly it will cook. (This is why we tie up roasts and butterfly some cuts of meat before cooking them. ) It goes without saying that whole turkeys are not evenly shaped; the legs are significantly smaller than the breasts, which are thicker at one end and tapering toward the other. These different areas of the turkey simply will not cook at the same rate.

How long do you let a turkey rest after cooking?

FAQ

How long do you let a turkey rest after cooking?

In an ideal world, the turkey would be out of the oven exactly 30 minutes before serving, so that you can remove it from the roasting pan and let it rest for about 20 minutes before carving and serving warm.

What happens if you don’t let turkey rest?

The purpose- as with any cooked meat- is to let the meat firm up so it doesn’t release juices when you cut into it. In the case of a turkey it also helps to let it cool enough to not burn you when you are carving and eating it. Both of these goals will be met in 30 minutes to an hour.

How long does Gordon Ramsay say to rest a turkey?

Leave the turkey to rest in a warm place for at least 45 minutes; make the gravy in the meantime. Remove the bay leaves from under the skin before carving. Serve the turkey with the piping hot gravy, stuffing and accompaniments.

Why should you let a turkey stand for 15 minutes?

Let the turkey stand for 15-20 minutes so the juices can settle, then it’s ready to carve.