Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without the turkey, and we’re going to show you the 5 BEST ways to cook the juiciest, tastiest turkey ever. There are many ways to cook a turkey. You can use an oven, a slow cooker, an Instant Pot, an air fryer, or even a convection oven.
This is our list of the best ways to cook a turkey that will always be juicy and delicious. Most people like to cook their turkey in the oven.
The best way to cook a turkey is whatever way works best for you. If you’ve never cooked a turkey before, you should look at all of your options and choose the best one for you. Spend a lot of time learning how to prepare the turkey and then cook it for the right amount of time. This will help you make the best turkey this holiday season. You will have the best turkey no matter what cooking method you use if you follow our step-by-step instructions.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning that big turkey dinner. Cooking the turkey is often seen as the most important (and most stressful!) part of the meal. With so many different options and methods, it can be hard to decide which way is best. In this article, I’ll go over 3 different tried-and-true ways to cook your Thanksgiving turkey so you can choose the method that works best for you.
1. Roast the Turkey in the Oven
Roasting the turkey in the oven is probably the most traditional and popular cooking method. It produces a beautifully browned exterior and tender, juicy meat when done correctly.
Here are some tips for roasting your turkey in the oven
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Choose a 12-15 lb turkey This size will feed 8-10 people comfortably with leftovers
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Thaw the turkey in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking. This ensures even thawing.
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Pat the turkey dry and season both inside and out with salt, pepper, and aromatic herbs like thyme, sage, and rosemary.
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Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan to allow air circulation. Tent with foil.
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Roast at 425°F for 30 minutes to brown the skin. Reduce heat to 325°F and continue roasting about 2-2.5 hours more until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh.
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Baste the turkey with the pan drippings every 45 minutes for moisture and flavor.
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Allow the turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving to let the juices redistribute.
The benefit of oven roasting is it frees up stovetop space and infuses the meat with delicious flavor. It does take several hours but the hands-off cooking time makes it easy. Just keep an eye on the temperature and baste occasionally for the perfect bird!
2. Smoke the Turkey on the Grill
For a delicious smoky flavor, try cooking your turkey on a charcoal or gas grill. The smoke permeates the meat, giving it a sweet, wood-fired taste.
Tips for smoking a turkey:
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Choose a 12-15 lb turkey and remove the giblets and neck.
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Brine the turkey overnight in a saltwater solution to infuse flavor and moisture. Rinse and pat dry before smoking.
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Prepare the grill for smoking by bringing the temperature to 300-325°F. Use wood chips, chunks or pellets for flavor.
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Place the turkey on the grill, breast side up, and maintain the temperature around 300°F, adjusting vents as needed.
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Smoke the turkey for about 3 hours until the thigh meat reaches 165°F. Keep the breast meat from overcooking by tenting with foil if needed.
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Allow the turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving to let the juices set.
The grill frees up your oven and gives the turkey a delicious smoky flavor. Be sure to keep an eye on the temperature and use a meat thermometer to prevent over or undercooking.
3. Deep Fry the Turkey Outdoor
Deep frying is a quick, mess-free way to cook the turkey outside. Hot oil sears the meat, sealing in moisture and seasoning. The result is an amazingly juicy bird with ultra-crisp skin.
Here’s how to deep fry a turkey:
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Choose a 10-12 lb turkey to allow for submersion in oil. Remove giblets and neck.
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Inject the turkey with a seasoned marinade using an injection kit to infuse flavor.
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Pat the turkey completely dry. Lowering the turkey slowly into the hot oil prevents splattering.
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Heat oil to 350-375°F in a large propane turkey fryer. Use at least 4 gallons of peanut oil.
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Carefully lower the turkey into the oil, being cautious of splattering. The oil may bubble up.
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Fry the turkey for about 3-4 minutes per pound, about 45 minutes for a 12 lb turkey.
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Check the temperature by inserting a thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone. It should reach 165°F.
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Remove the turkey and let rest on a tray for 30 minutes before slicing.
While deep frying takes caution, it produces moist, golden turkey in under an hour. Make sure to monitor oil temperature and properly lower and remove the turkey slowly.
How to Thaw Turkey Safely
We have two methods for thawing frozen turkey. They include the following:
- A bath of cold water is the fastest way to thaw a whole turkey. Thawing in cold water takes about 30 minutes per pound. That being said, you will need to add fresh water every 30 minutes. We also put ice in the water to make it very cold.
- You can also thaw your turkey in the fridge; it will take longer and be less intense. Place the turkey on a cookie sheet to catch any water that may drip off while it thaws. It takes about one day for every five pounds of turkey to thaw in the fridge.
Our favorite way to cook a turkey is roasted in the oven.
A regular (conventional) oven is different from a convection oven because the heat source in a regular oven stays in one place and rises from the bottom. Fans blow hot air from a convection oven around the inside, so the air moves all over the oven. In a convection oven, the heat is distributed evenly all around the food.
Cooking your turkey in an Instant Pot is similar to the slow cooker version. You will want to make sure that you use a smaller turkey roast or turkey breast. This method is ideal if you are feeding less than 8 people.
Using a slow cooker works well with a smaller turkey roast or turkey breast. If you need to feed 8 or less people, the slow cooker is ideal for you.
Not sure where to begin? Watch our video guide to learn all five ways to cook a Thanksgiving turkey.
Serving Sizes and Proportions
The size turkey breast will determine if you can feed a smaller crowd or a larger one. Make sure to decide how much turkey breast you will need ahead of time. If you are wondering how many people your turkey will feed, we recommend this method. A good rule of thumb is that whatever your turkey weighs, that’s how many peopke it will feed. Thus, an 8-pound turkey will feed 8 people. If you know you have small children, then you will be able to feed a bit more with your turkey. If you want leftovers, plan on 1 ½ pounds of turkey per person. This article from the HuffPost is also is a great resource and gives you an idea of how much to cook per person.
The Ultimate Way To Cook Your Thanksgiving Turkey
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