Thanksgiving Turkey Tips: How to Prep and Cook the Perfect Turkey

Cooking Thanksgiving dinner for your family this year? I’ve got plenty of turkey tips for my cousins! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare and cook a show-stopping Thanksgiving turkey.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, fam! Just like every year, it’s all about bringing family together, enjoying each other’s company, and eating enough food to send us into a food coma ‘til Christmas.

If this is your first time hosting (or even if it isn’t your first rodeo), you’ve probably already started planning your must-have menu. Maybe you’ve even started to plot what dishes you can make ahead of time. Your grocery list is getting long, the day-of cooking schedule is filling up… It’s all happening!

I’m here to tell y’all… don’t fret, darlin’! I’m not here to burden you with a complicated recipe. We all know that hosting a big holiday dinner is hard work. But if you break everything down into simple steps, you’ll be the most experienced cook in that kitchen. So, I’m sharing the ultimate step-by-step guide packed with helpful tips and tasty techniques to put on a show-stopping Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey Cheat Sheet for Picking the Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey

First things first… getting the turkey! There are a few things you need to know before you head to the store and start eyeing up the birds. Here are some common questions people have when shopping for the perfect turkey.

• How big of a turkey do I need? Plan for about 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per person, and up to 2 pounds if you want leftovers. If you’re feeding 8 people, you’ll want a 10–15-pound turkey.
• Should I buy a frozen turkey or a fresh turkey? Either! Most turkeys at the grocery store will be frozen. The only thing that really matters is making sure you have room to store your turkey and enough time to safely thaw the turkey.
• How long does it take to thaw a whole turkey? It will take about 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey, so planning ahead is a must!
• Should I buy a basted or self-basting turkey? These types of turkeys have been injected with or marinated in a solution of spices, stock, and other flavorings to keep the bird extra moist. If you don’t want to brine your own turkey, a basted or self-basting turkey is the way to go.
• What type of turkey should I buy? Hold up… there are different types of turkey? Heck yeah, Cousins! You’ll see all sorts of “types,” from free-range to natural and organic, that tell you how the bird was raised and treated before ending up on store shelves.

Now that you’ve picked out the perfect turkey let’s move on to the coveted turkey tips to show you exactly how to prepare and cook a Thanksgiving turkey!

Thanksgiving Turkey Prep Work Before the Oven

Turkey day prep starts days ahead of the big day – it’s extra important to be prepared, or else you’ll find yourself back at the store on Thanksgiving morning, scouring the shelves for the last remaining spiral ham or puny lil turkey breast. Ain’t no one wanna be THAT hostess, y’all!

Thawing the Turkey: Timing is Everything!

Thawing that whole bird requires time and patience. You don’t want to be wrestling with a frozen turkey on the big day, so here’s where we plan ahead. It will take about 24 hours per 4-5 pounds to thaw a whole turkey. You cannot thaw a turkey at room temperature, so you have to clear out that fridge (or make room in that garage fridge!) to store the bird for a few days. Here are some tips:

• Place the turkey on a deep-rimmed baking sheet or in a roasting pan and clear some room at the bottom of the fridge.
• You never want to thaw a turkey on the higher shelves in case any grossness drips down, contaminating anything else in the fridge – not safe, y’all!
• A 10-pound turkey will need 2 whole days to thaw; a 20-pound turkey will need 4 whole days.
• If you need to quick-thaw a turkey, submerge the whole turkey in cold water and change the water about every 30 minutes until it’s thawed (which should take about 30 minutes per pound).
• Never use warm water to quick-thaw a turkey.

Brining the Turkey: A Flavor Infusion

A flavorful brine is the perfect way to make that bird sing. A brine is a simple mixture of salt, sugar, water, fresh herbs, and spices, which infuse into the turkey meat and leave you with a perfectly moist, juicy turkey that is literally dripping with flavor. Now, y’all know I am partial to a flavorful, herbaceous brine, but you have options.

• A dry brine is just what it sounds like – a dry mixture of salt, sugar, and spices rubbed into the surface of the turkey. Dry brining gives your turkey a more intense flavor.
• A wet brine involves soaking the turkey in a salty solution, which plumps up the turkey and keeps it extra moist. Depending on the size of your bird, you’d have to brine the turkey for a while to get the best results.
• Remember, if you bought a self-basting turkey, you do not have to do a brine! These turkeys have plenty of flavor already, so skip this step.

How long does it take to brine a turkey? At least 8-12 hours, depending on which type of brine you choose. A dry brine will give your turkey more flavor in less time, but a wet brine will produce the most moist turkey. Whichever you choose, remember that you can only properly brine a thawed turkey, so you’ll also have to work brining time into your pre-Thanksgiving day prep schedule.

Seasoning and Stuffing: A Turkey Dressed to Impress!

The final step of prepping a Thanksgiving turkey happens right before you’re ready to pop that bird into the oven. There are a whole lotta ways to season a turkey. Rub that baby down with butter, olive oil, herbs, spices, or your favorite dry rub. Make a flavorful compound butter and rub it all over (and under) the skin for perfectly golden brown, crispy skin. Season your turkey well, and it will dazzle!

• Before seasoning the turkey, take a whole bunch of paper towels and pat every inch of that thing dry. This will help the seasoning stick.
• A dry rub should include basics like kosher salt and black pepper, as well as fresh or dried herbs.
• Making a compound butter is one of the easiest ways to pack flavor into your turkey. You can follow a recipe or make your own with your favorite herbs and spices.
• If you’re not actually stuffing the turkey with, well… stuffing, then fill her up with aromatics like onion, garlic, fresh herbs, apples, and lemons.
• If you do want to cook stuffing inside the turkey, put about 1/2 cup of stuffing per pound of turkey – but don’t stuff it too tight! An overstuffed turkey might lead to uncooked (and unsafe to eat) stuffing.

Oven Time: How to Cook a Perfectly Roasted Turkey

Now we’ve reached the main event: roasting that turkey! The secret here all comes down to cooking time and oven temperature. Before we jump into how long it takes to cook a perfect turkey, let’s talk about what equipment y’all need to make the magic happen.

• Roasting Pan with a Roasting Rack: roasting on a rack gives that bird the attention it deserves, allowing air to circulate
• Aluminum Foil: to tent the turkey, which will prevent burning during it’s long cooking time.
• Turkey Baster/Basting Brush: you’ll need these tools to baste the turkey throughout the cooking process.
• Instant Read Thermometer: a meat thermometer is an essential tool in any kitchen, but especially on Turkey Day!

Time & Temperature: How Long to Cook a Turkey

The holiday ain’t the time to be messin’ around with cook time, fam. Planning out your Thanksgiving Day schedule is easily one of the more important parts of the day. Of course, your turkey’s grand entrance should be just right! So, how long does it take to roast a turkey? This depends on the size of the bird and whether it’s stuffed or unstuffed.

Butterball, the king of turkey, has a helpful chart of turkey cooking times. The larger the turkey, the longer it will take to cook.

• When you first put the turkey in the oven, resist the urge to open that oven door and peak! Let the turkey do its thing!
• After the first 2 hours, you’ll want to begin basting the turkey every 30-45 minutes of remaining cooking time. Basting is like providing the perfect finishing touch – it keeps everything moist and shiny.
• If you want extra crispy skin, you can increase the oven temperature during the last bit of cooking time and remove any foil covering.
• Your turkey is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F or 75°C when tested in multiple places – most importantly, the thickest part of the breast and thigh (without touching the bone).
• Your turkey will continue to carry-over cook when it rests, so you can remove it from the oven when it reaches a safe temperature of at least 155-160 degrees.

Resting and Dressing the Turkey for the Big Show

The last and final category of Thanksgiving turkey tips is all about resting and presentation, baby! Use the resting period as a time to get your ducks in order: set the table, get any last-minute side dishes reheated in the oven, and refill your glass with your drink of choice!

Why Rest the Turkey?

Just like you, after a big day in the kitchen, a turkey’s gotta rest! This is a crucial time – the bird soaks all those yummy juices back up, keeping the turkey meat moist and juicy.

• Rest the turkey for 15-30 minutes on the countertop. You can remove it from the roasting pan and rest it on a cutting board or serving platter.
• Lightly tent the turkey with foil to retain a bit of heat and keep the turkey nice and warm until serving.

Making Turkey Gravy: The Grand Finale!

While you let the turkey rest, take all that liquid gold that we call pan drippings in the bottom of the roasting pan and turn it into a luscious, rich turkey gravy. It only takes a few minutes to whip together an easy gravy recipe, so getting it done while the turkey rests is perfect!

Presenting and Carving a Perfect Thanksgiving Bird

Present your pride and joy with pizzazz – dress up the serving platter with fresh herbs, vegetables, and fresh greenery. Give the turkey one last basting with some melted butter for the perfect sheen. Then it’s time to carve into that turkey with finesse.

• Carving a turkey is an art, so take your time! Be sure to use a large, sharp knife. You don’t need a fancy electric carver knife to get the job done.
• Carve in sections – start with the legs, thighs, and wings (the dark meat) before moving on to the breasts (the white meat).
• Slice everything up and arrange it on a serving platter, garnished with any extras you see fit!
• Serve immediately – it’s even best to do the carving right in front of your guests for the best results!

Well, there you have it, cousins! A complete guide on how to prep and cook the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe! These turkey tips and techniques will have you serving a delicious turkey that will wow even the most stubborn of guests. Remember the secret ingredient: love! Make your holiday meal fabulous and fun, but most of all, make it yours!

Find the Perfect Roast Turkey Recipe from I Heart Recipes

You can apply all these Thanksgiving turkey tips to any of my turkey recipes:

• Simple Whole Roast Turkey
• Juicy Whole Roast Turkey
• Easy Smoked Turkey Recipe
• The Easiest Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Loved these Thanksgiving turkey tips and tricks? Share a photo of your Thanksgiving spread by tagging me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube! Don’t forget to check out I Heart Soul Food, Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie, and A Cousin Rosie Holiday, with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.