Tying turkey legs together is a classic technique when roasting a whole turkey Trussing, as it’s called, gives the bird a neat, compact shape for even cooking. It also helps keep the stuffing inside But what if you don’t have kitchen twine on hand? Don’t worry, you can improvise with common household items to tie those drumsticks.
Here are 9 clever alternatives for tying turkey legs:
1. Cotton Kitchen String
Plain cotton kitchen string or butcher’s string works great. Make sure it’s 100% cotton unflavored and untreated. Synthetic material could melt, while treated string may impact flavor.
2. Dental Floss
Unwaxed and unflavored dental floss is perfect for tying turkey legs. It’s strong, thin, and heat resistant up to about 400°F. Waxed floss could melt. Minty floss would taste weird.
3. Paper Clips
Paper clips aren’t pretty, but they do the job! Unfold large clips and wrap the wire around drumsticks, twisting ends together. Use several clips for a secure hold.
4. Pipe Cleaners
Colorful fuzzy pipe cleaners tie legs AND look festive! Use a few twists of the stiff covered wire to bind drumsticks. Extra fuzz can be snipped off.
5. Rubber Bands
Rubber bands work in a pinch, but beware – regular rubber bands deteriorate under heat. Choose high quality silicone bands marked “heat resistant” for cooking.
6. Bread Bag Ties
Plastic bag ties found on bread wrappers work great trussing turkey legs. Twist a few together for strength. Make sure no sharp ends poke outward.
7. Onion/Leek Greens
In grandma’s day, leftover onion or leek greens were used for trussing. Dampen the greens slightly, then wrap firmly around legs and tie ends. Imparts subtle flavor.
8. Cotton Shoelaces
Cotton shoelaces make perfect emergency turkey ties! Remove the hard plastic tips first. Be sure to use clean, unused laces.
9. Aluminum Foil
Foil strips don’t look very nice, but they bundle drumsticks securely. Tear foil into long strips and wrap tightly, twisting ends together.
Other Questions About Turkey Leg Trussing:
Can I skip tying turkey legs?
You can roast an untrussed turkey, but trussing does promote even cooking. Drumsticks cook slower than breast meat. Tying legs pulls them inward for better heat circulation.
When should I truss the legs?
It’s easiest to truss legs before seasoning and stuffing the turkey. Doing it after is trickier, but can be done. Tie legs loosely so you can still access the cavity.
How tight should I tie legs?
Aim for snug but not too tight. You still want good air circulation for even cooking. Tie firmly enough to keep legs and stuffing contained.
Can I truss after seasoning?
Yes, trussing after seasoning is fine. Just be careful handling the bird to avoid loosening rubs or herb coatings. Tie legs gently without shifting skin too much.
Can I use toothpicks to secure legs?
Toothpicks alone may not withstand turkey’s weight and oven heat. But they can help cinch twine or string wrappings in place for extra security. Just remove before carving.
Do I need to truss legs if using a roasting bag?
Even with a roasting bag, trussing is recommended. Legs still cook slower than breast meat. Tying them helps equalize cooking times for properly done meat.
How do I remove twine after roasting?
When turkey is done, let it rest 10-15 minutes before removing twine. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut and lift twine away from skin. Discard twine and carve turkey.
Can I use cotton thread or sewing string?
Avoid regular sewing thread or string. Polyester melts at low temps. Cotton thread could work but unwinding yards of thread is tricky. Opt for kitchen string instead.
What about zip ties for trussing?
Plastic zip ties seem convenient but aren’t ideal for cooking. They may have sharp edges. Cheap versions degrade under heat. Stick to specifically food-safe materials.
Can I use a metal skewer to pin legs?
Long metal skewers can pierce and immobilize drumsticks together. But this allows less circulatory space than tying with string or twine. Use caution inserting and removing sharp skewers.
Is it ok to use silicone rubber bands?
Yes, silicone rubber bands made specifically for cooking are a fine substitute. Look for heavy duty, heat resistant bands with no latex. Avoid regular rubber bands.
Do I need to tie legs for roasting turkey parts?
Trussing legs is only needed for whole intact turkeys. If cutting up turkey or roasting legs separately, you can skip tying them together. Trussing promotes even cooking in whole birds.
So don’t let lack of kitchen twine stop you from trussing your Thanksgiving turkey. With this list of household stand-ins, you can improvise and get those drumsticks neatly tied up. Let the feasting commence!
Substitutes for Kitchen Twine
- Dental floss: Tie up your bird or bundle with dental floss. Itll hold things together just as securely as the twine. Stick to plain, unwaxed floss so you dont flavor your food with mint or risk having melted wax ignite in the oven. Consider tucking a roll of floss in one of your kitchen drawers; it also cuts soft cheeses, like goat cheese, better than a knife.
- Aluminum foil: Roll up some aluminum foil into tight ropes and secure them around your food like bands. It works best for stuffed meats that youre trying to keep from unrolling; aluminum foil probably wont be strong enough to truss a turkey or chicken.
- Toothpicks or wooden skewers: Poke toothpicks or wooden skewers into your rolled meat to keep the seam from unraveling. Soak them in water first (just like you do when you grill) so they wont catch fire in the oven. If you decide to use toothpicks, its smart to count how many you used so you know how many you need to pull out after cooking. You dont want anyone accidentally chomping down on a piece of wood.
- Nothing at all: If you dont have any of these things, consider going without. Leave your turkey untrussed and just tuck the wingtips under the bird or wrap in aluminum foil to keep them from burning. Place your loin on the baking sheet seam side down so that the weight of the meat holds it together. And if youre looking for a way to secure a bundle of herbs, place them in a piece of cheesecloth and used the corners to tie a knot.
How to Truss a Thanksgiving Turkey – Quick & Easy!
FAQ
What else can I use to tie turkey legs together?
If Your Turkey Doesn’t Come with a Hock Lock, Use String. Or, you can simply use twine, kite string, or unwaxed dental floss to hold the legs together.
How to secure turkey legs without twine?
Carefully cut pockets in the loose skin near the cavity opening with a pairing knife. Push each drumstick through the opening pocket on the opposite side. Tuck the wings under the back.
What can I use if I don’t have butchers twine?
You can use cotton twine. Or cotton yarn. If you just need a small count your butcher at your grocery store might give you some.
How to tie turkey legs together?
1. Kitchen Twine: Kitchen twine is the traditional choice for tying turkey legs together. Made from durable, food-safe cotton or polyester, it is designed to withstand the heat of cooking. Kitchen twine ensures that the legs stay securely bound while the turkey roasts to perfection.
How do you keep turkey legs from drying out?
One way to ensure that your turkey legs cook evenly is to tie them together. This will help to keep the legs together and prevent them from drying out. There are a few different ways to tie turkey legs together. You can use kitchen twine, rubber bands, or even a piece of string.
Can you tie turkey legs without twine?
There Are Options! Your options to tie turkey legs without twine are to use foil, silicone rubber bands, or nothing at all. Though many like the look of a trussed turkey, many cooking experts agree that it isn’t always necessary. We hope this helps.
Can you use tin foil to tie turkey legs together?
Some people use floss to tie turkey legs together. However, we don’t recommend this. It can melt, catch fire, or impart a minty flavor to your food. Rather, you should use tin foil, silicone rubber bands, or nothing at all. Other types of string aren’t suitable for oven cooking. Can I Use a Rubber Band to Tie Turkey Legs Together?
Should you tie up a Turkey?
Neither chefs nor food writers can agree on whether—or why—youd want to tie up your turkey. A bird without a truss is said to cook faster because its legs are spread out and get more hot air. This makes the skin crispier as well. Others claim that the breasts of an untrussed turkey aren’t protected by the legs and therefore overcook.
How do you keep turkey legs together?
Onion or Leek Greens: For a kitchen hack, you can utilize the greens from onions or leeks to secure your turkey legs. Simply clean and dry the greens, then wrap them tightly around the legs. This not only holds the legs together but can add a subtle flavor to your turkey.