Tip 1: The Best Turkey to Buy
The centerpiece of any Thanksgiving dinner is of course the turkey. Whether you're about to host your first Thanksgiving dinner or you're an old pro, you're apt to pick up a new trick or two from this collection of the best turkey tips from the pages of Fine Cooking: everything from choosing the best bird to unorthodox cooking methods. Want more? Visit the Thanksgiving Guide for hundreds of recipes for moist turkey, hearty sides, and perfect pies.
Choosing a Turkey
1. Size matters: How big a turkey? For birds under 16 pounds, figure at least 1 pound of turkey per person. For larger birds 16 pounds and heavier, figure a bit less since there's more meat in proportion to bone. If you want substantial seconds and leftovers, allow another 1/2 pound per person.
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Tip 5: Customize your Brine
If you like, you can add herbs and spices, a little of a flavorful sweetener (like honey or maple syrup), or replace some of the water with another liquid like apple cider or coffee. Just remember that when you add sugar, foods tend to brown faster.
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Tip 10: The Right Way to Truss
Legs tied up tightly against the sides of the turkey take longer to roast, putting the breast meat in jeopardy of overcooking while the legs take their time. Before setting the bird in the pan, fold the wings back to secure the neck flap (use a skewer or a toothpick if the flap isn't long enough). Then use kitchen string to loosely tie the drumsticks. Tying them too tightly can prevent the thighs from cooking evenly.
Watch our video to see how.
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Tip 16: How to Avoid Scorching
If the bird is browning quickly but not near its target doneness temperature of 170°F, tent it loosely with foil and continue roasting. If the drippings seem to be getting too dark, add a couple tablespoons of water to keep them from burning.
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Tip 20: Get Perfect Breast AND Thigh Meat
The simple unavoidable fact of turkey roasting is that the breast meat tends to overcook and dry out before the thighs are fully done. (That's why we jump through so many hoops like brining and flipping the turkey). If you're willing to sacrifice the centerpiece-perfect whole bird, there's a surefire way to make sure white and dark meat are both cooked perfectly:
Cook the parts separately.
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See All 21 Turkey Tips
21 Turkey Tips Every Cook Needs to Know
Your Guide to Thanksgiving Dinner
100s of Turkey Recipes, Pie Recipes, Potato Recipes and more Thanksgiving Recipes
From how to choose your bird to the brining secret for crisper skin, we've pulled together our test kitchen's top tips to ensure perfectly roasted turkey.
Tip 1: The Best Turkey to Buy
Tip 5: Customize your Brine
Tip 10: The Right Way to Truss
Tip 16: How to Avoid Scorching
Tip 20: Get Perfect Breast AND Thigh Meat
See All 21 Turkey Tips
Your Guide to Thanksgiving Dinner 