This cheesecloth turkey is the best way to get a tender turkey with crispy, golden skin. The cheesecloth continuously bastes the bird with the butter herb mixture while it roasts!.
I spent hours looking into the best ways to roast a turkey and came up with the best one: the cheesecloth method from Food and Wine, Halfbaked Harvest, and Martha Stewart. Soak the cheesecloth in butter so it covers the bird and continually bastes it as it cooks. This is the best Thanksgiving turkey!.
I tested this recipe several times to ensure perfection. There are photos, a video, and instructions that show you how to roast a turkey step by step. If you follow these steps, your family will be amazed at how well the turkey turns out.
The crispy skin is golden brown and the inside is perfectly juicy and tender. Happy Thanksgiving! PS check out our Thanksgiving recipes for all the sides and desserts.
Roasting a turkey can be tricky. With such a large bird and lean breast meat it’s easy for the turkey to end up dry and disappointing. That’s where an ingenious technique using cheesecloth comes in!
Wrapping a turkey in a cheesecloth soaked in flavorful liquid is a foolproof way to get a beautifully browned, yet incredibly moist and tender turkey every time.
What Is Cheesecloth and How Does It Work?
Cheesecloth is a lightweight, gauzy cotton fabric originally used for straining cheeses It has a loose, open weave that allows liquids to pass through easily.
When used on turkey, the cheesecloth acts as a protective shield between the delicate meat and the hot, drying heat of the oven. It prevents moisture loss and keeps the turkey breast succulent
Soaking the cheesecloth in butter, wine, broth or other flavorful liquids allows it to continuously self-baste the turkey as it roasts. The cheesecloth gradually releases the flavorful basting liquid onto the skin.
Benefits of Using Cheesecloth on Turkey
There are several key benefits to using a soaked cheesecloth when roasting turkey:
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Retains moisture – The porous cheesecloth traps steam rising from the skin, keeping the turkey incredibly juicy.
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Self bastes – Infusing flavors like butter, herbs and citrus into the cheesecloth allows it to automatically baste the turkey.
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Prevents drying out – Forms a protective barrier between oven heat and turkey skin.
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Allows browning – The loose weave still allows air circulation for crispy, golden skin.
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Easy to use – Cheesecloth drapes nicely over the turkey shape without needing to be tucked under like stiff foil.
How to Use Cheesecloth on Your Thanksgiving Turkey
Using cheesecloth on your holiday bird is simple. Follow these instructions:
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Purchase a large piece of 100% cotton cheesecloth, about 4 times the size of the turkey.
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Melt 1 cup butter and mix with 1-2 cups wine, broth, citrus juice etc. Soak cheesecloth fully.
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Let excess liquid drip off. Lay cheesecloth smoothly over breast, wrapping around the sides.
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Tuck ends under roasting rack to secure. Roast at 450°F for 30 mins then 325°F, basting every 30 mins.
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For crispy skin, remove cheesecloth last 30 mins. Let rest before carving.
Delicious Cheesecloth Turkey Recipes
There are endless ways to flavor your basting mixture. Try these tasty recipes:
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Lemon Herb Cheesecloth Turkey – Soak in 1 cup melted butter, 1 cup white wine and juice of 2 lemons with rosemary and thyme.
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Citrus Cheesecloth Turkey – Soak in orange juice, lemon juice, lemon zest, melted butter and white wine.
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Sage Butter Cheesecloth Turkey – Soak in melted sage butter and chicken broth.
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Apple Cider Cheesecloth Turkey – Soak in melted butter, apple cider, chopped apples, cinnamon and maple syrup.
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Wine-Soaked Cheesecloth Turkey – Soak in melted butter and 2 cups dry white wine.
Feel free to get creative with your own cheesecloth turkey flavors!
Troubleshooting Cheesecloth Turkey
Having issues getting perfect results? Here are some common cheesecloth turkey problems and solutions:
Dry turkey – Use more liquid in cheesecloth and baste frequently. Do not overcook. Cook to 160°F breast, 165°F thighs.
Skin won’t crisp – Remove cheesecloth last 30 mins so skin can brown. Baste to add moisture.
Uneven browning – Wrap smoothly without gaps. Rotate pan occasionally.
Cheesecloth dried out – Use more butter/wine to really saturate it. Baste if it dries.
Sticks to skin – Generously baste with pan juices to loosen then gently peel off.
The Magic of Cheesecloth Turkey
There’s no better way to roast a turkey than with a cheesecloth! It keeps the lean breast meat incredibly moist and juicy. Infusing herb butter, citrus, wine and other flavors into the cheesecloth allows it to continuously self-baste. While also shielding the delicate meat from drying out. For a foolproof, flavorful and ultra-tender turkey, cheesecloth is a game-changing technique.
Cheesecloth Turkey: Frequently Asked Questions
The cheesecloth naturally bastes the turkey throughout the cooking process. As the turkey cooks, the butter slowly melts from the cloth and covers it. This is why basting is suggested but not required. The cheesecloth also protects the skin and also gives the skin it’s golden brown color. It’s totally safe to put in the oven!.
I don’t recommend stuffing your turkey with a traditional stuffing recipe. Let’s stick to making that on its own (like this incredible gluten-free stuffing). It’s safer to eat and allows you to put flavor-enhancing ingredients inside of the turkey. Onion, celery, lemon, garlic, fresh herbs, and carrots are some of my favorite aromatics to put in the big hole.
You should absolutely use cheesecloth on your turkey if you want a flavorful, juicy bird. It helps keep it from getting too dark and constantly bastes it with butter while it cooks.
Cheesecloth is cotton, so other types of cotton will work as well. What to use instead if you don’t have any? A cotton napkin or dish towel, a flour sac towel, or a piece of fabric
Buy the Right Sized Turkey
A good rule of thumb is to purchase 1lb of turkey per person attending. If you want to have ample leftovers, go for 1 1/2 lbs of turkey per person. For a group of 10 people, a 15-pound turkey would be enough for everyone and then some to take home.
Cooking for a large crowd? Opt for 2 medium to small birds to cut down on cook times.
- Any roasting pan will do, but one with a rack is ideal. If you don’t have one, don’t worry—look at the recipe notes for another choice.
- Don’t worry about how fancy the cheesecloth is—you can get it from Amazon for $5!
- Baster: using a baster because the cheesecloth continually does this. I like to add a little extra turkey fat on top a few times while it’s cooking, though.
Keep Your Turkey Moist and Juicy Using Cheesecloth | Mad Genius Tips | Food & Wine
FAQ
Why do you put cheesecloth on a turkey?
How many layers of cheesecloth to use for turkey?
What to stuff turkey with to keep moist?
How do you cover a Turkey with cheesecloth?
Melt Butter & Apply Cheesecloth: Melt the other 2 sticks of butter and cut a piece of cheese cloth large enough to cover the turkey. I recommend folding the cheesecloth so it has 3-4 layers of fabric that will cover the bird entirely. Carefully dip the folded cloth into the melted butter so it is fully soaked and covered.
What is cheesecloth used for?
Cheesecloth is a kind of cloth that is often used in the kitchen, mostly to make cheese! It is thin with very small holes that allow some moisture to escape, almost like a gauze. In this cheesecloth herb butter turkey recipe, the cheesecloth will help the turkey to retain moisture and not get too dark before it is ready! Turkey: One whole turkey!
What is a cheesecloth Turkey?
Cheesecloth turkey calls for draping the lightweight fabric over your bird, which will help keep the wine and drippings in place on the skin as you baste. The end result is a beautiful, deeply flavored turkey for your holiday table. Cheesecloth turkey is an old-school, retro recipe that’s overdue for a revival.
Why do you put a cheesecloth on a turkey breast?
The cheesecloth provides an extended baste and layer of protection for the breast. Right before removing the cheesecloth baste the cheesecloth well to make sure it’s loosened from the skin. It sometimes likes to try to stick to the turkey at the end of roasting. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! -Serena KAB said Hey!! First timer here!
Why does a turkey roast need a cheesecloth?
The cheesecloth shields the skin from the direct heat of the oven so it doesn’t brown faster than the meat cooks, but unlike foil, cheesecloth allows evaporation and air circulation so the turkey roasts rather than steaming. What Is an Instant-Read Thermometer?
How do you cook a cheesecloth Turkey?
In this cooking method for buttered cheesecloth turkey, we cover the turkey in a flavorful butter both under the skin and on the outside of the turkey. We then soak a cheesecloth in melted butter and completely cover the turkey. As the turkey cooks, the cheesecloth holds onto moisture and essentially helps baste the turkey.