Beginners Guide To Cooking The Best Turkey For Thanksgiving

Are you hosting Thanksgiving for the first time this year? Are you having anxiety about cooking the turkey, all the sides, and getting right? Relax. First, know that you are not the only person worried about over or undercooking the family turkey. Matter of fact, some folks host Thanksgiving every year and still don't cook the turkey right! That's because they mess up the first 3 steps.

COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN COOKING A TURKEY

Step 1: If your turkey is frozen solid, whatever you do, don't try to thaw it out on Thanksgiving Day. This process will take one to four days, give or take depending on how much your turkey weighs. The safest way according to USDA recommendations is to let it thaw in the refrigerator, in its original packaging. The rule of thumb is 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. For example, if your turkey is 20 pounds, it will need 4 to 5 days to thaw. Plan ahead and make room in your refrigerator.

Step 2: The easiest way to figure out how the temperature in the oven and the length your turkey needs to cook, is to simply use the cooking instructions label found directly on the outer package. You'd be surprised to know how many people don't realize that the label on the back is the cooking instructions.

Step 3: Another common mistake people make is not talking the neck and gizards out of the inside of the turkey. You only do this once it's thawed. Otherwise, they are next to impossible to remove.

Now you're ready! The next part is all according to taste and the type of turkey you are preparing. There are at least 7 different kinds of turkeys and just as many ways styles of cooking them. You can roast it, broil it, grill it, slow-cook it, smoke it, bake it, BBQ it, rotisserie it, and yes, even deep-fry it. I think it would be best to get the basics down first and then you can fine-tune your culinary skills.

Most people cook their Thanksgiving bird in a roasting pan. This is a great way to collect all the turkey juice and allows for easy basting. My favorite technique is baking our turkey using a Reynolds Turkey Oven Bag.

When cooking poultry, the overall temperature matters and the best way to measure this is with a meat thermometer. My preference is to use the disposable pop-up timer. Both are very good choices in making sure the turkey is cooked through and through. Below are 2 different step-by-step methods on how to cook your turkey using the turkey bag.

There you have it! For more details on how to prepare Louisiana-style sides for your Thanksgiving feast. My favorite part of the Thanksgiving celebration.

Here is the cooking recipe for southern-style green beans. By the way, most people in Southwest Louisiana prefer Creole Cornbread Dressing rather than Stove Top Stuffing. That said, follow this video to learn how to prepare Creole Cornbread, Mac & Cheese, and Candied Yams Louisiana style. Enjoy ya'll and have a beautiful Thanksgiving.