Make your Thanksgiving turkey more flavorful than ever with our top turkey tips. In no time, youll know how to season a turkey that guests will crave.
Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, so you’ve probably already planned your menu, which should include the best Thanksgiving sides and mouthwatering pumpkin pies. And of course, you’ve got the traditional turkey lined up.
Getting (and serving) the ideal turkey for every guest at the dinner table is important, whether you’re hosting a small get-together for friends and family or hosting a Friendsgiving celebration. Make sure you choose the appropriate size turkey for your holiday meal by knowing how much to serve each person.
But before you pop your perfectly chosen turkey into the oven, don’t forget to season it well. When combined with pitch-perfect seasoning, the right Thanksgiving turkey recipes can elevate your bird from a simple bird to an amazing fowl. Follow these tips and tricks on seasoning your turkey for a juicy and flavorful meal.
Elevate your Thanksgiving turkey game with this simple yet impactful technique: seasoning under the skin. This method infuses the meat with incredible flavor and keeps it moist throughout the roasting process.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to season a turkey under the skin:
1. Gather your ingredients:
- Softened butter: Use about 1 stick of butter for a 14-16 pound turkey.
- Seasonings: Choose your favorite spices and herbs. Some popular options include:
- Fresh herbs: parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme
- Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper
- Citrus zest: lemon, lime, orange
- Other additions: chopped garlic, shallots, or fresh ginger
2. Prepare the turkey:
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- Carefully loosen the skin away from the breast and legs. Use your fingers to gently separate the skin from the flesh, creating pockets for the butter and seasonings. Be careful not to tear the skin.
3. Season the butter:
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with your chosen spices and herbs. Mix well until evenly distributed.
4, Spread the seasoned butter under the skin:
- Use your hands to spread the seasoned butter evenly under the skin of the breast and legs. Ensure it reaches all the nooks and crannies for maximum flavor distribution.
5. Season the outside of the turkey:
- If desired, you can also rub additional seasonings onto the outside of the turkey skin. This adds another layer of flavor and helps create a crispy skin.
6. Roast the turkey according to your recipe:
- Follow the instructions in your chosen recipe for roasting the turkey. The seasoned butter under the skin will help keep the meat moist and flavorful throughout the cooking process.
Tips:
- Use high-quality butter for the best flavor.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs.
- If you’re short on time, you can use pre-made herb and spice blends.
- Be sure to season the turkey generously, both under the skin and on the outside.
- Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
With this simple technique, you can take your Thanksgiving turkey to the next level. The flavorful, juicy meat will impress your guests and make your holiday meal even more memorable.
Additional Resources:
- Epicurious: Watch How to Put Butter Under Turkey Skin
- Allrecipes: How to Season a Turkey
- The Pioneer Woman: How to Season a Turkey
Season Inside the Turkey
Don’t limit your seasoning to just the exterior of your holiday main. Make sure your spice mixture reaches every crevice and crevices of the turkey, including the insides. This will give your roast the most flavor possible.
Instead of filling your bird with stuffing, fill it with aromatics. (News flash: Cooking stuffing inside a turkey can be dangerous. ) The basics, like onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage, help lend that traditional Thanksgiving flavor.
Take your aromatics up a notch by adding halved lemons or oranges. The citrus will add a nice brightness to the turkey and keep it perfectly moist.
Here’s a full list of all the ways you can stuff your holiday turkey—that don’t include stuffing.
Coat with Flavored Butter
Rub flavored butter underneath the skin of your turkey to add another layer of flavor and crisp up the skin. When hasn’t butter made something better?
Do not be afraid to try this technique if you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner because it is a really simple way to add flavor to your main course.
Try marinating your turkey in a mixture of broth, spices, and lemon juice, as in our Marinated Thanksgiving Turkey, for a roast that is flavorful throughout! Marinades aren’t just for the grill!
Your turkey should marinate for a few hours to absorb all the wonderful flavors, just like when it’s brined.
Layer on the flavor with a bright and aromatic glaze. Brushing on a glaze takes an already tasty turkey skin to the next level. Glazes are an easy and quick way to give your main course an extra boost.
You can make an apricot-glazed turkey with just four ingredients.
How to Season Your Turkey | Weber Grills
FAQ
Should I put butter under the skin of my turkey?
What should I season my turkey with?
How do you salt under turkey skin?