This article contains everything you need to know, from buying your turkey to cooking to what to do with turkey leftovers.
Should you buy a fresh or frozen turkey? Read the pros and cons of buying a fresh, organic turkey vs. a frozen turkey.
How long does it take to bake a turkey? Three simple tricks will ensure that you bake it perfectly every time. Should you roast, bake, or smoke your turkey? I have all the answers you need right here.
Information for buying and cooking a turkey
The standard for baking turkey is to bake it for 20 minutes per pound. So a 20-pound turkey would be 20 pounds x 20 minutes = 400 minutes, or 6 hours and 40 minutes. Plus the 10 minutes of resting time. So plan for 7 hours on this size turkey. Get all the turkey facts here.
One common issue people have this time of year is how to defrost the turkey so they can cook it. Do you run it under cold tap water? Do you give it a soak in the bathtub? What's the best method and how do you be sure you're doing it safely?
Place the turkey breast side up on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Rub the turkey's skin with olive oil or butter, then season with salt, pepper, and other spices. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer (try a smart thermometer for convenience)......
Cooking a turkey in an electric roaster is a great way to save time and energy. If you have the oven space, you can roast your turkey in regular ovens, but an electric roaster can help you......
The best smoking technique is going to require a lot of patience, but the flavor of a smoked turkey is well worth it. Consider the size of the turkey when planning your cooking time.
For a moister turkey, try lightly tenting your bird with tin foil, leaving some space for the smoke to get through. Then, you may want to remove the tent for the last two hours.
Try one of these cooking methods for turkey and surprise your family with a turkey dish anytime of the year.
Whether it’s Thanksgiving leftovers or just a regular family meal, you might end up with a lot of meat left. Even a small turkey might end up being too much for one meal if a small family is consuming it.
Pot pie and baked potatoes were common meals at my house when I was growing up. They were filling and cheap, but never "homemade." All the kids liked them.
Kathy acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.
Kathy began her blogging journey in 2011 when she founded PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, and thrift store finds.
