Heres a simple way to prepare your turkey like a pro before roasting: Tuck the wings to enhance the presentation while ensuring even cooking.
Securing the wings behind and close to the body tightens up the appearance, but it also prevents them from overcooking or burning in the oven or on the grill. This method is particularly useful when roasting or grilling, as it helps the turkey cook more uniformly, allowing all parts of the bird to reach the ideal temperature without any risk of charring.
Roasting a whole turkey can seem daunting, especially if you only cook one for holidays. You want the turkey to cook evenly so the breast doesn’t dry out while the thighs and legs finish. Tucking the wings under the breast is a simple technique to promote uniform cooking.
What Does “Tuck the Wings” Mean?
Tucking the wings means gently pulling the wings back and under the body so the wing tips are tucked beneath the breast and back. This positions the wings snugly against the turkey rather than sticking out sideways.
When tucked, the wings are partially shielded from direct oven heat. This prevents them from overcooking before the rest of the turkey is done.
Why Should You Tuck the Wings?
There are two main reasons to tuck the wings:
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Promotes Even Cooking – Shielding the thin wing tips prevents burning so the thicker breast and thighs can cook through without the wings drying first.
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Prevents Overcooking – Turkey wings have minimal meat or fat so they easily burn or dry out under high heat. Tucking them keeps them moist and delicious.
It only takes a minute but makes a big difference in roasting the perfect turkey!
How to Tuck Turkey Wings in 4 Easy Steps
Tucking the wings back takes just a few simple steps:
1. Position Turkey Breast-Side Up
Place thawed turkey on a roasting pan or cutting board with the breast facing up. Pat the cavity and skin dry.
2. Lift Wing Up
Gently lift one wing, cupping under the mid-section near the breast meat for support
3. Tuck Wing Under Breast
Keeping the wing raised, use your other hand to tuck it under the breast, angling back towards the body.
4. Repeat on Other Side
Lift and tuck the other wing under the breast as well. Make sure both stay tucked.
Check that the wings are snugly fit under the thicker breast and not sticking out. Your turkey is ready for seasoning and roasting!
Turkey Roasting Tips
Once the wings are prepped, follow these tips for perfect turkey:
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Dry the skin thoroughly before seasoning so it crisps up,
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Use a roasting rack to allow air flow for even cooking.
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Season simply with oil, salt, pepper, and herbs so flavors shine.
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Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s fully done.
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If browning too quickly, loosely tent foil over the breast.
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Let rest 15 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I truss the turkey after tucking the wings?
Trussing is optional but can help secure the wings. Loop twine around the wings and body, then tie the legs together.
When should I tuck the wings?
Tuck the wings after removing giblets and patting the turkey dry. Do it right before seasoning and roasting.
Do both wings need to be tucked?
Yes, always tuck both wings under the breast to prevent either side from burning.
Can I tuck wings on a spatchcocked turkey?
Since spatchcocking flattens the bird, you can’t tuck the wings fully under. Just position them as snugly as possible.
What if the wings unwrap while cooking?
Don’t worry if the wings come untucked while roasting – they still get some protection from direct heat.
Get Perfectly Cooked Turkey Every Time
Taking a minute to tuck the turkey wings makes a huge difference in preventing dry, overcooked wings. Tucking them shields the delicate wing tips from high heat for more uniform cooking.
Combined with drying the skin, using a rack, and monitoring temperature, tucked wings help ensure your holiday turkey has crispy skin, moist breast meat, and fully cooked dark meat.
With just a few easy steps before roasting, you can serve up the perfect roast turkey for Thanksgiving or any festive meal!
How To Ready Your Turkey For Cooking
Now that youre ready to get started, heres a simple guide to help you achieve the most wow-worthy turkey:
- Step 1. Prepare the turkey: Before you start, make sure your turkey is completely thawed if it was frozen. We have some recommendations for how to best thaw your bird before cooking. Remove the giblets and any packaging from the turkey cavity, and thoroughly pat the turkey dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Step 2. Locate and tuck the wings: Locate the joint where each wing meets the body of the turkey by gently lifting the wings. Now imagine youre laying back on the grass with your arms tucked behind your head. Youll want to treat the wings in the same way: Gently fold them back behind the birds body so that the tips are tucked under, hiding them underneath the bird.
- Step 3. Truss the bird: While optional, you might want to use twine to further secure the wings and legs of the bird before cooking to keep them in place. Cut a piece of kitchen twine and tie the legs together at the drumstick ends. Take another piece of twine, loop it under the birds body across the tucked wings, and tie securely. Check that all twine is tightly secured, cutting off some of the excess of twine if needed.
If you tucked the wings of the bird back but didnt use twine, reconsider. Its best to tie a piece of twine around the bird to keep the wings in place. If you dont have twine, use metal or bamboo skewers to pin them in place, or unwaxed dental floss to get the job done.
Tools And Materials Needed
Before you begin tucking your turkey wings and otherwise preparing your bird, youll need some essential tools and materials on hand:
- Roasting pan: A sturdy pan with high sides will help catch the drippings of the turkey and provide a stable base for the bird.
- Kitchen twine: Used to tie the legs and wings to keep them in place during cooking.
- Scissors: For cutting the kitchen twine.
- Turkey: The star of the show! The size of the turkey doesnt matter here—this method will work for any size bird.
- Oven or grill: Whichever method you prefer for cooking your turkey.
