An amazing method for roasting turkey that uses butter-covered aluminum foil to shield the breast from the intense heat while basting it Finally, the foil is taken off to allow the skin to crisp up. This article also includes a ton of advice on roasting turkey to perfection and information about brining and whether it’s something you should do.
You are undoubtedly aware that when I was a child, my parents ran restaurants. You may be surprised to learn that they also performed a lot of catering. They are estimated to have catered more than a thousand turkey dinners, each of which required a large number of turkeys. They’ve always received great reviews for their dinners, and now I’ll share with you my mother’s recipe for the ideal roasted turkey. We’ll start by discussing the ideal turkey size before moving on to the cooking method (which includes using butter to crisp the skin and baste it) to produce perfectly cooked, juicy meat—even the breast meat is juicy!
One and a half pounds of bone-in turkey usually feeds one person and leaves leftovers. One pound of bone-in turkey will be your mathematical formula if you are not a leftover family. Use even less, about 3/4 of a pound, if you plan to serve a lot of side dishes. This is particularly true if you plan to serve dessert after dinner and appetizers and munchies beforehand.
The Kitchn is a great resource for selecting your turkey; it covers price range, fresh vs frozen, as well as how to recognize the various kinds of turkeys and their farming practices However, I should point out that my parents didn’t get anything fancy—instead, they bought turkeys in bulk for dinners. Thus, all you’ll need to do is head to your local grocery store and purchase one of the turkeys there. With the method below, nothing fancy is required!.
When it comes to roasting a Thanksgiving turkey, there are many questions that arise. One of the most common questions is whether or not to cover the turkey with foil. This article will delve into the pros and cons of covering your turkey with foil, providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision for your own Thanksgiving feast.
The Benefits of Covering Your Turkey with Foil
Covering your turkey with foil offers several benefits, primarily related to maintaining moisture and achieving a perfectly cooked bird.
- Moisture Retention: Foil acts as a barrier, trapping steam and preventing the turkey from drying out during the roasting process. This is especially beneficial for the breast meat, which tends to be the most prone to dryness.
- Even Cooking: Covering the turkey with foil can help ensure even cooking, particularly for larger birds. The foil helps to distribute heat more evenly, preventing the breast from overcooking while the legs and thighs are still raw.
- Reduced Splatter: Foil can help to minimize splattering in the oven, making cleanup easier. This is especially helpful if you are using a flavorful marinade or basting sauce, as the foil will prevent these liquids from splattering onto the oven walls.
The Drawbacks of Covering Your Turkey with Foil
While covering your turkey with foil offers several advantages, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider.
- Crispy Skin: Covering the turkey with foil for the entire cooking time can prevent the skin from becoming crispy. If you prefer crispy skin, you will need to remove the foil for the last 30-45 minutes of cooking time.
- Uneven Browning: If the foil is not applied carefully, it can result in uneven browning on the turkey. To avoid this, make sure the foil is tightly sealed around the edges of the roasting pan.
The Verdict: To Cover or Not to Cover?
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to cover your turkey with foil is a matter of personal preference. If you are concerned about the turkey drying out or cooking unevenly, covering it with foil is a good option. However, if you prefer crispy skin, you will need to remove the foil for the last part of the cooking time.
Additional Tips for Roasting a Perfect Turkey
Here are some additional tips to help you roast a perfect turkey:
- Brining: Brining the turkey before roasting is a great way to ensure a moist and flavorful bird. Brining involves soaking the turkey in a salt-water solution for several hours or overnight.
- Seasoning: Season the turkey generously with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices.
- Basting: Basting the turkey with butter or pan drippings throughout the cooking process will help to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Resting: Once the turkey is cooked, let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
Roasting a turkey is a culinary tradition that can be enjoyed by everyone. By following the tips and advice in this article, you can roast a perfectly cooked turkey that will be the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving feast.
STEP #5: Make Gravy
In order for you to access the drippings in the roasting pan, you should move the turkey from the pan to another container. These are liquid gold when it comes to making gravy. I’ll cover a few things here, not the entire how-to for making gravy.
First, no matter what, you need to separate the fat off of the drippings. I like to use a gravy separator for that. Or you can just let them rise to the top and then spoon them off.
Secondly, your drippings may taste salty if you brined your turkey, either wet or dry. I usually use this method of making gravy without drippings (which can actually be done in advance!) when brining poultry, but I omit the salt. Then, after my turkey is cooked, I taste the drippings and season with their saltiness.
Don’t worry if you haven’t completed the make-ahead gravy without drippings. You can use this tutorial on gravy instead, which goes into great detail on how to test your drippings and how to use them even if they’re too salty.
I’ll also provide you with a link to my cornstarch gravy here. Make this for everyone attending your dinner if there are any gluten-free guests (just substitute the broth with your defatted turkey drippings). Another interesting thing to do is to make vegan gravy. Serve this to vegetarian guests who are bringing sides to eat. They can use it on top of their potatoes and stuffing. Even better, you could prepare the vegan gravy, split it in half, and then stir in your turkey drippings into just half of it.
STEP #5: Temperature and Basting
It will take 11 to 15 minutes per pound of turkey. Larger turkeys typically take a little bit less time to prepare than smaller turkeys. Here’s a chart showing the likely roasting times:
Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil while cooking?
Should I Cover my Turkey with aluminum foil?
Using aluminum foil to cover your turkey remains a highly debated topic in the world of cooking. Some swear by it, while others find the practice unnecessary. Here are some pros and cons of using aluminum foil to cover your turkey. One of the main benefits of using aluminum foil to cover your turkey is that it helps to lock in moisture.
Should you cover a turkey breast with foil?
During the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, remove the cover so the skin crisps in the hot oven. **Southern Living** also suggests covering the turkey with foil to trap steam and keep the turkey
Can you put foil on a Turkey?
A: It is generally not recommended to put foil on a turkey in the oven. Foil can trap moisture and steam, which can cause the turkey to become soggy. Additionally, foil can prevent the skin from browning properly. If you do choose to use foil, make sure to remove it for the last 30 minutes of cooking time so that the turkey can brown.
What happens if you don’t cover a Turkey with foil?
If you do not cover a turkey with foil, the turkey may dry out. The skin will not brown evenly, and the turkey may not cook evenly. Additionally, the turkey may take longer to cook. To avoid this problem, it is important to cover the turkey with foil during the first half of cooking time.