Roasting is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to making your Thanksgiving turkey.
Every year when we’re planning our Thanksgiving meal, the turkey is typically the first item on our minds. Most likely, when you picture the centerpiece bird on the Thanksgiving table, you picture a roasted turkey with a perfectly crispy, golden brown crust. There are numerous methods to prepare and cook your turkey for Thanksgiving aside from brining and roasting, which is how most recipes call for it to be done.
Each cooking method has its pros and cons. Some need special equipment and others are easy for beginner cooks to accomplish. We’ll guide you through each technique so that, on Thanksgiving, you have something to be grateful for with your bird, regardless of which one you select.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, delicious food. The centerpiece of the Thanksgiving feast is undoubtedly the turkey, but who says it has to be a boring old roast? This year, ditch the tradition and try something new with these unique ways to cook a turkey.
From the Food,com article:
- Brined Turkey with Herbs & Honey: This recipe infuses the turkey with flavor and keeps it moist, thanks to the brine.
- Sweet Honey-Brined & Smoked Turkey: This recipe takes the brine game to the next level with a sweet and smoky flavor.
- Spatchcock Turkey: This method involves removing the backbone and flattening the turkey, resulting in faster cooking times and crispy skin.
- Apricot-Glazed Turkey with Onion & Shallot Gravy: This recipe boasts a beautiful glaze and a flavorful gravy.
- Roasted Herbed Turkey: This classic recipe is simple yet satisfying, with a focus on fresh herbs.
- Turducken Roulade: This impressive dish features a deboned turkey stuffed with duck and chicken, then rolled and roasted.
- Roast Turkey for Beginners: This recipe is perfect for first-time turkey cooks, with easy-to-follow instructions.
- Spicy Roasted Turkey: This recipe adds a kick of heat to your Thanksgiving bird.
- Perfect Turkey: This recipe uses an electric roaster to achieve juicy and flavorful results.
- Stuffed Turkey Breast with Cranberry Glaze: This recipe is ideal for smaller gatherings and features a festive cranberry glaze.
- Spice-Rubbed Turkey: This recipe combines a flavorful spice rub with the smoky goodness of a smoker.
- Maple Roast Turkey: This recipe features a sweet and savory maple glaze that will have your guests asking for seconds.
- Turkey Breast with Fail-Proof Gravy: This recipe uses a slow cooker to cook the turkey breast, resulting in tender meat and a delicious gravy.
- Mouthwatering Herb Turkey: This recipe uses a hot water trick to keep the turkey moist and flavorful.
- Bacon Lattice Turkey: This recipe adds a touch of indulgence with a bacon lattice crust.
- Uncle Bill’s Turkey: This recipe uses a scalding technique to achieve incredibly moist turkey meat.
- Thanksgiving Turkey Meatloaf: This recipe is a fun and creative way to serve turkey on Thanksgiving.
- Famous Brown Bag Turkey: This recipe uses a brown paper bag to create a crispy and juicy turkey.
- Alton Brown’s Brined Turkey: This recipe is a favorite among experienced cooks, thanks to its flavorful brine and perfectly cooked turkey.
- Basil-Lemon Turkey Breast: This recipe is perfect for grilling and features a bright and flavorful herb marinade.
- Deep-Fried Turkey: This recipe is a Thanksgiving tradition in some families and results in a crispy and juicy bird.
From the Martha Stewart article:
- Roasted: This classic method is perfect for beginners and produces a beautiful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.
- Spatchcocked: This method cuts cooking time in half and ensures crispy skin all around.
- Upside-Down: This method helps prevent the white meat from drying out by protecting it from direct heat.
- Braised: This method is ideal for cooking dark meat, resulting in tender and flavorful results.
- Roulade: This elegant option features a stuffed turkey breast rolled and roasted to perfection.
- Deep-Fried: This method is a Thanksgiving tradition in some families and results in a crispy and juicy bird.
- Grilled: This method is a healthier option that imparts a smoky flavor to the turkey.
- Smoked: This method adds a unique smoky flavor to the turkey and frees up space in your oven.
No matter which method you choose, be sure to follow the recipe instructions carefully and use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Here are some additional tips for cooking a unique and delicious turkey:
- Brine your turkey: Brining helps to keep the turkey moist and flavorful.
- Use a flavorful rub or marinade: This will add extra flavor to your turkey.
- Cook the turkey to the correct temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the turkey rest before carving: This will allow the juices to redistribute and result in a more tender bird.
- Get creative with your stuffing: There are endless possibilities when it comes to stuffing your turkey.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment: There are many different ways to cook a turkey, so don’t be afraid to try something new.
With a little creativity, you can easily cook a unique and delicious turkey that will impress your guests and make your Thanksgiving feast unforgettable.
Spatchcocked
A turkey that has been spatchcocked will save you at least an hour of cooking time, despite its humorous name. Using kitchen shears, this contemporary method entails cutting the turkey’s neck and backbone off and cooking it flat rather than upright. You can still collect turkey drippings in the pan to make a killer gravy.
Pros: This technique cuts the cooking time in half. The turkey’s legs and thighs, not just the breasts, are exposed to direct heat, so the skin on all sides will quickly turn golden and crisp.
Cons: It can be difficult for beginner cooks to break down such a large piece of meat. Ask your butcher to spatchcock the turkey when you order it if you want to try this method but are afraid to do so.
To Brine or Not to Brine
Brining a turkey is one way to impart a lot of flavor and produce a more tender meat. Before the meat is cooked, it is allowed to absorb the flavors of salt, sugar, spices, and other ingredients for a few hours. There are two types of brining techniques that you can use: wet and dry.
For a wet brine, you submerge the turkey completely in a liquid brine mixture in the fridge. To make a dry brine, generously coat the turkey with kosher salt, allowing it to absorb the salt into its skin and meat. With both techniques, you’ll want to pat the skin dry to remove any excess brine before proceeding.
F*ck The Whole Bird, I Cook My Turkey Like This Now
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