TEXAS (CBSDFW. COM) – Whether cooking for two guests or 20, preparing a Thanksgiving meal is often stressful. As a result, CBS11 discovered some time-saving strategies to make preparing your holiday feast as simple as enjoying it.
The first holiday hack comes from deep in the piney woods of East Texas. Located on a peaceful two-lane highway in Marshall, the Bear Creek Smokehouse has been owned by the Shoults Family for nearly eight decades.
The fact that Robbie Shoults, the third generation owner, is knowledgeable about turkey preparation is not shocking at all, but his method of doing so is.
Shoults said, “We tell so many people that and they look at us like you have lost your mind.” “And really, who could blame them? I mean, who ever heard of cooking turkey. in the dishwasher? A lot of times youre short on oven or stove top space. Our fully cooked smoked turkey was placed on the bottom rack of the dishwasher after we thought, “Hmm, what can we do, you know, maybe a little hack to show people other ways to heat it?” Leave it in the wrapper and just run it on a regular cycle. And, you know, the hot water and the steam and everything. It just comes out beautiful. “.
Now, the key words here are fully cooked. A turkey or ham must be thoroughly cooked and still in its original vacuum-sealed packaging.
“Set it on the kitchen counter the night before,” Shoults advised, regardless of whether it was a smoked turkey, smoked ham, or something else. So, its already got the refrigerator chill taken off of it. And then that that morning you would just take it and place it in the dishwasher. And its going to heat it all the way through. If its a big ham, you might want to run it on two cycles. One thing about it with the dishwasher, you cant overcook it. “.
And perhaps the best part? Theres no messy roasting pan to scour, clean-up is minimal. But what about the sides?.
From roasted sweet potatoes with chili powder and cayenne pepper to cranberry salsa with fresh cilantro and jalapeño
“It doesnt have, like, all the butter and the marshmallows and all the ooey gooey stuff in there. Its a its a just a great, healthy alternative to it. And they are fantastic,” said Shoults.
The brown sugar and bacon green beans are simple to prepare, and as Shoults quips, “it’s like having sides, protein, and desert all in one dish.”
But perhaps the most important tip is simply to remember what Thanksgiving is all about. and to make the most of the time spent together.
You know, with all the electronics we have these days, it can be very simple for parents and children to lose touch with one another. And since kids enjoy activities, I think it’s fantastic when you can come in and get them involved in the kitchen. You’ll be creating lifelong memories in the process. “.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together cranberry mixture, green onions, jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice.
4. Serve over cream cheese with assorted crackers, or use as a side for turkey dinner.
Forget the oven, this Thanksgiving, you can cook your turkey in the dishwasher! Yes you read that right. This mind-blowing hack is not only incredibly easy, but it also frees up valuable oven space for your other Thanksgiving dishes.
How to Cook a Turkey in the Dishwasher:
Ingredients:
- 1 fully cooked smoked turkey
- Dishwasher
Instructions:
- Preheat the Dishwasher: Run the dishwasher through a short cycle to warm it up.
- Prepare the Turkey: Remove the turkey from its packaging and place it on the bottom rack of the dishwasher.
- Start the Dishwasher: Run the dishwasher on a regular cycle with hot water.
- Cook Time: For a 12-14 pound turkey, cook for approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes.
- Rest and Crisp the Skin: Let the turkey rest in the dishwasher for an additional 25 minutes. Then, place it under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp the skin.
Tips:
- Make sure the turkey is fully cooked before placing it in the dishwasher.
- You can add a pan of water to the bottom rack of the dishwasher to help regulate the temperature.
- If you have a large turkey, you may need to run the dishwasher for an additional cycle.
Other Thanksgiving Meal Hacks:
- Bacon Brown Sugar Green Beans: This simple and delicious side dish is made with just four ingredients: green beans, bacon, brown sugar, and garlic powder.
- Cranberry Salsa: This festive salsa is perfect for serving with crackers or as a topping for turkey.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: These sweet potatoes are roasted with chili powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika for a delicious and smoky flavor.
Cooking a turkey in the dishwasher is a fun and easy way to save time and energy this Thanksgiving. With this hack, you can focus on enjoying the holiday with your loved ones instead of stressing about cooking. So, give it a try this year and see for yourself how delicious and convenient this method can be.
More from CBS News
Karen Borta is a veteran journalist who joined CBS 11 News in 1995. She had previously worked as an anchor and reporter for the CBS affiliates in Waco, Sacramento, and Tampa, WTVT-TV and KRBK-TV.
How to cook turkey in a dishwasher
FAQ
Can you thaw a turkey in a dishwasher?