Whether you’re Googling “how to carve a turkey” or need a quick refresher, we have the simple steps you need to know to make carving turkey easy work.
Katie Workman, the creator behind The Mom 100, put together a guide to walk you through this important job. Her advice? Don’t be intimidated, don’t rush and take it one step at a time.
This turkey tutorial, edited for clarity, comes courtesy of the National Turkey Federation. See more turkey recipes at www.eatturkey.org.
Roasting a turkey is a labor of love. From brining and seasoning to basting and tending you put hours of effort into creating the perfect holiday centerpiece. But your work isn’t done when the turkey comes out of the oven golden brown. There’s one crucial step that makes all the difference between a flavorful, juicy bird and a dried-out disappointment letting it rest.
I know it’s tempting to dive right in and start carving with hungry guests waiting eagerly. But having the patience to let your turkey rest pays off in a better eating experience for everyone. In this article, we’ll look at why you need to rest your turkey, ideal resting times, techniques to retain moisture and heat, and what happens if you don’t let the turkey chill out before slicing.
Why Should You Let the Turkey Rest?
When you pull a piping hot turkey from the oven, it needs some downtime before hitting the carving board. Resting accomplishes several important things
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It allows juices to redistribute and reabsorb. As the temperature evens out, moisture migrates back into the meat from the surface. This prevents dryness and improves juiciness.
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It firms up the meat so you can slice cleanly without shredding. The proteins relax rather than contracting as they cool.
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It brings the temperature down to a safer level. A fresh turkey can still be scalding hot internally. Resting prevents burns.
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It allows seasonings and natural flavors to distribute evenly throughout.
So as hard as it is wait with hungry diners salivating over your creation, give that bird 30-60 minutes to rest. Your patience will be rewarded with better texture, more flavor, and increased juiciness!
How Long Should You Rest Your Turkey?
There is no set time that fits every situation. The ideal resting period depends on several factors:
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Size – In general, allow 15-20 minutes per pound. So a 15 lb turkey would rest 15-20 x 15 = 225-300 minutes (3.75-5 hours). For smaller birds under 16 lbs, the minimum rest time is 2 hours.
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Cooking method – A roasted or smoked turkey should rest longer than a fried or grilled turkey since it cooks at a higher oven temperature.
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Bone-in or boneless – Whole birds and bone-in parts retain more heat, while boneless cuts cool faster. Allow more time for bone-in.
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Halves/pieces – Smaller sections require less resting time than a full bird.
Here are some general turkey resting time guidelines based on preparation method and size:
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Whole roasted turkey:
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Under 16 lbs: 2-3 hours
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Over 16 lbs: 3-5 hours
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Whole smoked turkey: 2-3 hours
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Turkey breast, boneless: 1-2 hours
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Turkey pieces, bone-in: 1-2 hours
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Turkey pieces, boneless: 30-60 minutes
For the most precise doneness check, use a meat thermometer. Rest the turkey until the deepest section of meat drops below 140°F. You want the temperature between 120-140°F before slicing to prevent juices from running out.
Resting Tips for Maximum Moisture Retention
To retain the most moisture and heat during the resting period:
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Let it sit undisturbed. Don’t slice or poke at it.
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Loosely tent with foil, not touching the skin.
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Place on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet to allow air circulation.
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Set rack over low heat to keep warm, turning heat off before carving.
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For longer rests, wrap the pan with towels or place in a cooler.
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Position larger birds so they don’t tip and spill juices.
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Allow any stuffing to rest outside the bird so it doesn’t overcook.
Consequences of Not Letting Your Turkey Rest
After spending hours preparing your holiday centerpiece, you want it to look and taste its best. But forgoing the rest can have the following consequences:
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Flesh shrinks and separates around joints, making carving messy and difficult.
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Moisture is squeezed toward the surface as you slice, so juices quickly spill out.
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The core keeps cooking from residual heat, leading to overdone breast meat.
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Natural flavor and seasoning are unevenly distributed in the meat.
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The high heat and hot juices can burn your mouth.
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Overall, the turkey is dry rather than moist and juicy.
So let that bird kick back and relax while you make gravy and set the table. Just watch the clock so it doesn’t over-chill before serving.
Don’t Rest Too Long
While a good rest is ideal, you can also let the turkey sit too long. Issues with over-resting include:
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The meat texture suffers, becoming less tender as juices are reabsorbed.
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The turkey dries out as moisture evaporates.
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Safety concerns arise as bacteria multiply between 40-140°F.
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Once cooled, the meat is harder to slice without shredding.
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You lose the appealing aroma and Heat of just-cooked turkey.
Make sure to carve or refrigerate before the meat drops below 140°F, and absolutely within 2 hours of cooking. If held longer, thoroughly reheat to 165°F before serving.
Master the Rest for Best Results
I hope these guidelines help you perfectly time your turkey’s resting period. Showing some patience before slicing into that golden bird means you’ll be rewarded with the most tender, flavorful and juicy holiday centerpiece. Just have snacks on hand to hold over hungry guests during the wait!
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How long to rest turkey before carving
When youre planning your cooking and serving time, remember to account for at least a half-hour, and up to one hour, for the turkey to rest after you remove it from the oven.
Let it rest on the rack in the pan, or on a cutting board with a moat to catch the juices. Resting allows the turkey to re-absorb its juices before you slice it. Otherwise, those juices would run out on the cutting board, leaving you with dry turkey. Turkey breast in particular loses its moisture when sliced too quickly.
Don’t tent the turkey with foil as it rests, which can make the skin soggy. Letting the turkey sit uncovered preserves the crispness of the skin.
Set up a carving station
Have these things on hand when carving:
- Paper towels
- Clean dishtowels
- A large cutting board
- A serving platter
- An additional platter or cutting board to hold the pieces as you slice them from the turkey
- A carving knife
- A sturdy fork
How to Rest Your Turkey Before Carving
FAQ
How long should turkey sit out before carving?
First, allow your cooked turkey to sit for about 20 minutes before starting to carve. Beginning halfway up the breast, slice straight down with an even stroke. When the knife reaches the cut above the wing joint, the slice should fall free on its own.
Do you cover turkey when resting?
Your turkey actually doesn’t need any covering at all to keep it warm. Large cuts of meat, not to mention entire Thanksgiving birds, hold onto heat very well unassisted. So well, it’s actually recommended to have large birds to sit for at least 30 to 45 minutes before carving.
How long does Gordon Ramsay let turkey rest?
Leave the turkey to rest in a warm place for at least 45 minutes; make the gravy in the meantime.
How long should turkey sit out after cooking?
Cooked turkey should be refrigerated within two hours after it comes out of the oven. In most cases this allows enough time for the turkey to “rest” before being carved, to be served and eaten, and for any leftovers to cool enough to be wrapped and placed in the fridge.
How long to rest a Turkey before carving?
There is no set time for how long to rest a turkey before carving, but general guidelines recommend 30-45 minutes. The exact time depends on the size of your turkey: Tip: Resting time is more important for the breast meat than the darker leg and thigh meat. The white breast meat dries out more quickly when sliced hot.
How long should a Turkey rest before cooking?
When you’re planning your cooking and serving time, remember to account for at least a half-hour, and up to one hour, for the turkey to rest after you remove it from the oven. Let it rest on the rack in the pan, or on a cutting board with a moat to catch the juices. Resting allows the turkey to re-absorb its juices before you slice it.
How long should a 15 lb Turkey rest?
Size – In general, allow 15-20 minutes per pound. A 15 lb turkey would rest 15-20 x 15 = 225-300 minutes (3.75-5 hours). For turkeys under 16 lbs, I recommend a minimum of 2 hours. Cooking method – A roasted turkey should rest longer than a smoked, grilled or fried turkey since it cooks at a higher temperature.
Should you carve a Turkey before or after stuffing comes out?
Carving turkey before resting means dry meat, lost juices and flavor, uneven cooking, and a harder to carve bird. Always let turkey rest 30-45 minutes after roasting for best texture and moisture. Should you rest a turkey before or after stuffing comes out? Remove the stuffing from the turkey cavity before resting.
How long should a fried turkey rest before slicing?
Don’t leave the turkey resting for more than 2 hours, as bacteria can start growing. You can tent foil over just the breast area if pressed for time. The breast needs more resting time than the legs. Rest a fried turkey just like a roasted turkey. Drain oil then let sit 30 minutes before slicing.
Should you tent a fried turkey before carving?
Loosely tenting foil over the turkey helps retain heat and moisture while it rests. Avoid tight foil that can cause steam buildup and soggy skin. Tent just the breast if short on time since white meat dries out fastest. How long does fried turkey need to rest before carving?