Hosting the feast this year? Don’t panic! We’ve got easy Thanksgiving turkey recipes and cooking tips to help you prepare
your way to a stress-free day.
Turkey Buying Tips
How much turkey to buy: It sounds like a lot, but plan on 1 pound of turkey per person.
Frozen vs. fresh: Thaw a frozen turkey in your refrigerator 24 hours for every four pounds of meat. (That’s three days in your fridge for a 12-pound bird –- more time than you might guess.) Never thaw a turkey at room temperature.
If you don’t have the refrigerator space to house a thawing turkey, look for or special order a fresh turkey to pick up just before the big day.
How to Stuff and Roast a Turkey
How to stuff a turkey: Stuff the turkey right before the it goes into the oven, never ahead of time. If you aren’t stuffing the turkey, you can place a couple carrots, sliced onion, fresh herbs or seasoned salt in the cavity for flavor before pinning it closed. (See below for make-ahead stuffing.)
How long to cook a turkey: Bake a turkey breast-side up on a rack in a large roasting pan in a 325° oven, allowing about 15 minutes per pound of unstuffed turkey.
How to baste a turkey: Basting isn’t necessary, but if you cover your bird with foil, you should uncover it for the last hour of roasting and baste it with drippings every 15 minutes to give it a beautiful golden appearance.
How to know when a turkey is done: When an instant-read meat thermometer inserted deep into the fleshy part of the thigh reads 180°, the turkey is done. Allow the turkey to “rest” out of the oven for 20 minutes before carving.
Make-ahead stuffing: Prepare a basic recipe like Bread Stuffing, add it to a casserole sprayed with cooking spray, cover and refrigerate. Before dinner, bake stuffing 35 to 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated. It's easy and just as delicious as stuffing from the bird.
Oven-Roasted Turkey Recipes
Take the guesswork out of turkey roasting with kitchen-tested recipes.
Stuffed Roast Turkey and Gravy
Stuffed Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy
Roast Turkey with Sausage-Apple Stuffing
No need to roast a whole turkey for just a few people. Recipes to try:
Savory Roasted Turkey Breast
Lemon and Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast
Slow-Cooked Turkey and Stuffing with Onion Glaze