Make Ahead Roasted Turkey is ideal if time (or oven space) is at a premium. This method keeps the turkey tasting delicious and freshly carved even when it is cooked the day before, the week before, or even the month before.
This is the easiest Thanksgiving turkey recipe I’ve found to date. I finish all of the carving well in advance of the guests arriving, make the gravy and the broth using the turkey carcass, and then I’m ready to handle anything else the day may bring.
Quick Summary: This is a brief list of the ingredients used in this recipe. Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Absolutely! Cooking turkey the night before Thanksgiving (or even earlier) is a fantastic way to save time and stress on the big day. This technique allows you to enjoy a delicious, perfectly cooked turkey without the last-minute rush.
Here are two fantastic methods for cooking turkey ahead of time:
1. Roast and Carve the Turkey a Day Ahead:
This method, detailed in the article from The Spruce Eats, involves roasting the turkey as usual, letting it rest, and then carving it before refrigerating it overnight. The next day, simply reheat the carved turkey in the oven until it’s hot and steaming. This method ensures a moist and flavorful bird and is perfect for those who aren’t confident in carving or have limited oven space.
2. Make-Ahead Roasted Turkey:
This method, outlined in the article from Culinary Hill involves roasting the turkey, letting it cool and then freezing it for later use. When you’re ready to serve, simply thaw the turkey partially and reheat it in the oven with broth. This method is ideal for those who want to get ahead of Thanksgiving preparations or cook a turkey for another occasion.
Benefits of Cooking Turkey Ahead of Time:
- Saves time on Thanksgiving Day: You can focus on other dishes and preparations without worrying about the turkey.
- Reduces stress: Knowing the turkey is already cooked and ready to reheat can take a lot of pressure off.
- Allows for more oven space: You can use the oven for other dishes while the turkey reheats.
- Provides leftovers: Leftover turkey is perfect for sandwiches, salads, and other delicious dishes.
Tips for Cooking Turkey Ahead of Time:
- Use a meat thermometer: This is the best way to ensure the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the turkey rest: This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
- Carve carefully: If carving the turkey ahead of time, be sure to use a sharp knife and follow proper carving techniques.
- Store properly: Store the cooked turkey in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.
- Reheat thoroughly: When reheating the turkey, make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Additional Resources:
- The Spruce Eats: https://www.thespruceeats.com/roast-your-thanksgiving-turkey-a-day-ahead-483295
- Culinary Hill: https://www.culinaryhill.com/make-ahead-roasted-turkey/
By following these tips and utilizing the provided resources you can successfully cook a delicious turkey ahead of time and enjoy a stress-free Thanksgiving or other special occasion.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: For your Thanksgiving meal, budget 1 ¼ pounds of turkey per person (part of the weight comes from the bones). This recipe calls for a 15-pound bird, which should feed roughly 12 people (18 cups total, or 1 ½ cups of turkey per person). The math is: 12 people x 1. 25 pounds per person = 15-pound turkey.
- Storage: For up to four days, keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator.
- Safe thawing: Slowly thawing a frozen turkey in the refrigerator over several days is the best (and safest) method. It takes longer, but it is infinitely safer. Never thaw a turkey at room temperature, in the microwave, or in warm or hot water as these methods allow bacteria to grow before the turkey is fully thawed.
- Brine: If you have the time and inclination, a dry brine is a great way to add extra flavor to your turkey. If brining, choose a turkey whose label states, “no salt added.” Avoid “self-basting” or Kosher turkeys that have already had a brine injection.
- Because you might be cooking a slightly smaller or larger turkey, roasting times can vary. Roasting an unstuffed turkey at 325 degrees takes about 15 minutes per pound. Nonetheless, an excellent meat thermometer—165 degrees at the thickest part of the thigh—is the best tool for determining whether a turkey has been properly roasted.
- Carving: Starting with the first side and working your way down to the second is the easiest. For more details, view my comprehensive carving tutorial for a turkey.
The majority of modern recipes discourage stuffing turkeys because it compromises food safety and results in a bird that cooks more evenly. If you choose to stuff your turkey, mix the wet and dry ingredients right before stuffing the bird; make sure that any raw meat, poultry, or seafood that is used in the stuffing has been thoroughly cooked beforehand. Do not stuff a bird with cooked stuffing. Loosely pack the body and neck cavities using a large spoon or your hands (do not pack it tightly because the stuffing expands while it cooks). To keep the stuffing inside, use trussing pins to truss the main cavity. For the stuffing to be safe to consume, an internal thermometer reading of 165 degrees is required. Stuffing a chicken or Cornish hens is also discouraged. For more information, see the USDA website.
Cook Ahead Turkey – How to cook, prep, store and reheat your whole turkey one day before
Can you cook a Turkey the night before?
Yes, you can cook turkey the night before. Turkey can be cooked and stored in the refrigerator for up to four days before serving. Make sure to let the turkey cool completely before storing it in an airtight container or wrapping it tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Reheat the turkey in the oven or microwave before serving.
Can you cook a turkey overnight?
There are a few methods that can be used to cook a turkey overnight. One popular method is slow roasting. To slow roast a turkey, preheat the oven to 325°F, season the turkey as desired, place it on a roasting pan, and cover it tightly with aluminum foil. Cook the turkey for 8-10 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Can You Prep a Turkey the day before you cook it?
Yes, you can prep a turkey the day before you cook it. When you prep a turkey the day before you cook it, you will need to: Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity of the bird. Rinse the bird inside and out with cold water. Pat the bird dry with paper towels. Season the bird with salt, pepper, and your desired herbs.
Should you butter a Turkey the night before?
Buttering and seasoning a turkey the night before is a popular way to prepare the bird for roasting. This method allows the seasonings to penetrate the meat, and the butter bastes the turkey as it cooks, resulting in a moist and flavorful bird.