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How to
cook a turkey
Thawing your frozen turkey
Turkeys are usually sold frozen. To thaw the turkey allow 5
hours thawing time per pound when thawing in your
refrigerator. Thawing your turkey in the refrigerator is the
best way as the temperature is better regulated than if the
frozen turkey in left on the countertop and thawed at room
temperature. Variations in temperature can cause the turkey
meat to dry out and cook unevenly. You can also thaw your
turkey in your kitchen sink if it can be fully submerged in
water. Use cold water and allow about 1 hour per pound to
thaw in water. Do not use hot water to thaw your turkey as
this increases the growth of salmonella.
Always keep
your turkey in it's wrapping when thawing.
If your
turkey is thawed before you are ready to cook, place in
refrigerator until needed.
Cooking your turkey
Stuffed or not, a turkey needs some attention during
cooking. Regular basting (about every 30 minutes) and
temperature checks to ensure even cooking.
Cook at
325°F as follows:
6 - 8 lbs = 3 to 4 hours
8 - 12 lbs = 4 to 5 hours
12 - 15 lbs = 5 to 6 hours
15 - 20 lbs = 6 to 7 1/2 hours
20 - 24 lbs = 7 1/2 to 9 hours
Use a meat
thermometer to check turkey temperature at minimum cooking
time. When fully cooked temperature of inside breast will be
190°F.
Unwrap
turkey and rinse in cold water, pat dry. Prepare roasting
pan and stuff turkey, if desired, then place turkey in
roasting pan.
When oven
cooking is complete remove turkey from roasting pan, place
on serving plate and cover with foil. Let turkey rest for 10
to 15 minutes before carving.
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Simple
presentation suggestion:
Turkey on serving plate ringed with potato chips
Turkey
cooking tips
Thaw your
turkey carefully. Keep turkey away from direct heat sources,
hot ovens and stoves, etc., while defrosting.
Your turkey
roasting pan should easily accommodate the size of turkey so
that the turkey does not touch the sides of the roasting pan
or the lid when placed inside. If the turkey is too tall you
can cover with tin foil.
How big of
a turkey should you cook? Allow for 1 lb of turkey per
person served as a minimum serving. Vary this guideline by
smaller turkey sizes and bigger turkey eaters.
Prepare
your roasting pan with 1 1/2 to 2 cups water and herb
seasonings to have liquid for basting and to make gravy when
turkey is cooked.
If the
turkey is not self-basting brush butter on skin and legs
before placing in roasting pan.
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