How to Use Turkey Leftovers

When one prepares a full turkey for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other time of the year, there tends to be a lot of leftovers. Don't let these leftovers be forgotten in your fridge to dry out in plastic containers, though! Whether you have huge slabs of meat left over or nothing but bones remaining, there is a huge variety of recipes and combinations out there that can extend the life of your turkey by days, weeks, or even months.

[Edit]Ingredients

[Edit]Day-After-Thanksgiving Panini

• 2 slices of bread
• Thanksgiving leftovers (turkey, stuffing, mash potato, gravy)
• Lettuce
• Cranberry sauce
• Candied yams
• Butter

[Edit]Pulled Turkey Barbeque Sandwich

• Dark turkey meat
• 2 hamburger buns, or sourdough buns
• Barbecue sauce
• Coleslaw
• Chili powder (optional)
• Sriracha sauce (optional)
• Mustard (optional)
• Bacon (optional)

[Edit]Turkey Stock

• Cleaned turkey bones
• Celery bottoms
• Carrot tops
• Onion
• Bay leaves
• Water
• 1 teaspoon (5.7 g) of thyme and sage (optional)

[Edit]Stuffing and Turkey Casserole

• Leftover turkey and stuffing
• 1 can of unconcentrated cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can of unconcentrated cream of chicken soup (optional replacement for mushroom soup)
• of white wine
• of milk (optional replacement for wine)

[Edit]Turkey Salad

• Chopped potatoes, celery, and onion
• Turkey strips
• Cranberries
• Cucumber slices, cashew nuts, and hard boiled eggs (optional additions)
• Lettuce or spinach
• Mayonnaise, honey mustard, cranberry sauce, or lemon juice for dressing

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Day-After-Thanksgiving Panini

1. Grab two slices of your favorite type of bread. Any bread will do, but sourdough is considered best for paninis as it keeps its structure with wet fillings and toasts well.^[1]
   
2. Lay some lettuce and leftover cranberry sauce on a slice. The lettuce will prevent the sauce and fillings from making the bread too soggy, and the cranberry sauce will add a sweet touch.
   
3. Layer slices of your leftover turkey on top of the cranberry sauce. Generally you should use just enough to make a single layer, to stop the sandwich from getting too big, but if you don't mind using a knife and fork, go ahead and add as much as your heart desires.
   
   • You can optionally spread mashed potatoes or stuffing on the turkey for a heartier panini. You can certainly add both, but it will end up being a heavy meal to eat in one sitting.
4. Mash up some candied yams to add a sweet touch to the panini. This is not required to make the panini, but some find that the candied yams make the sandwich taste sweeter. If you used a lot of cranberry sauce, candied yams can counteract its tartness but can also make the sandwich overpoweringly sweet, so be careful of how much you add.
   
5. Pour gravy on the top of your fillings and put the bread slices together. Don't go overboard on gravy, as you still have to cook the panini and a runny sandwich is hard to grill correctly.^[2] Put the sandwich together and spread a light layer of butter on the outside of the bread.
   
   • A good rule of thumb is to use enough gravy to be able to spread a thin layer on the top slice, so that the bread absorbs some of the liquid and becomes more flavorful while also controlling the gravy's messiness.
6. Cook on medium-low heat in a grill pan or skillet. Cook it until the bread looks crusty, not burnt, and make sure the fillings are hot. You can use a panini maker if you have one, but it is not required. Once it's done, grab a plate, a knife and fork if the sandwich is gigantic, and enjoy!
   

[Edit]Pulled Turkey Barbeque Sandwich

1. Peel off pieces of dark turkey meat, and toss them into a bowl. Pulled turkey barbeque is best with the darker parts of the turkey meat because of its richer flavor and higher fat content, but can be made with any part of the turkey, except of course the bone. Use as much leftover turkey as your heart desires, there is no set amount you should use.^[3]
   
2. Add your favorite barbecue sauce to the bowl and mix thoroughly. Use enough to coat all the turkey in a thin layer of barbeque - don't go overboard or you will completely mask the turkey flavor with smoky barbeque.
   
   • If you like your barbeque sauce on the hot side, sprinkling a dash of chili pepper or sriracha sauce into the bowl will add a subtle heat element.
   • On the other hand, if you like your barbeque sauce spicy, add a little mustard to the bowl and mix thoroughly.
3. Add the mixed turkey and barbeque sauce to a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the turkey until it is cooked through, and stir it every few minutes to make sure it is heating up evenly.
   
   • You can also add bacon to the saucepan for a little extra smokiness. Chop up and saute the bacon until it is crispy in the saucepan before adding the barbeque sauce and turkey.^[4]
4. Toast some buns as the turkey cooks in the barbeque sauce. Use hamburger buns for a sloppy joe style sandwich, or sourdough buns if you want to absorb some of the barbeque into the bread.
   
   • After toasting the buns, add a layer of coleslaw on the bottom bun for a little extra crunch and refreshing flavor to the smoky barbeque sandwich.^[5]
5. Add a good amount of barbeque turkey to your bun, and feast! Be prepared to get messy, and think about using a knife and fork if the sandwich ends up being large. Barbeque turkey sandwiches go fantastically with sweet apples, so consider garnishing your plate with a few slices.^[6]
   

[Edit]Turkey Stock

1. Roast the turkey bones in the oven on a baking sheet. Peel the leftover bones as clean as you can of any pieces of meat or skin. Put the bones on a baking sheet in a single layer, and roast at until it is browned.
   
2. Add chopped onion, celery, carrots, and bay leaves to a large pot. Celery bottoms and carrot tops (with the leaves removed) are best for this step as they are usually thrown away, like turkey bones, but contain a lot of flavor perfect for preparing stock.
   
   • Sprinkle 1 teaspoon (5.7 g) of thyme and sage, and add the skin, fat, and meat that you removed from the bones. Keep everything in big chunks for easy straining when the stock is finished. Thyme and sage are optional, but can infuse your leftovers with fresh flavor.^[7]
3. Toss the roasted bones into the pot, and cover ingredients with water. Fill the pot with water so that it covers the ingredients about higher than the surface. Using more water than this will make your stock taste thin and watery, but use any less and the water could evaporate and you won't have a high yield of stock when finished.
   
4. Simmer the stock for 3 hours, adding water as needed. On a very low heat, let the ingredients get to know each other in the pot and keep an eye on the water level. If the water level starts going down due to evaporation, re-fill it as necessary.^[8]
   
5. Strain out all the veggies and meat with a fine-mesh strainer. After the stock has simmered, use a mesh strainer to separate the delicious stock from the ingredients. Throw away the veggies and meats, as all the flavor has been absorbed by the stock and it will be mushy and unappetizing.
   
6. Let the stock cool for about an hour, then remove excess fat. Any extra fat will rise to the surface of your stock, where you can easily skim it away. Don't worry if you can't get it all - when the stock gets cold, the fat will solidify and you can just lift it off the surface.
   
   • You can freeze or refrigerate the stock for up to 3 months in a sealed container to use in later recipes or as a warming broth in the winter.^[9]

[Edit]Stuffing and Turkey Casserole

1. Mix your leftover turkey and stuffing together in a casserole dish. Use as much turkey and stuffing as you like, but don't fill it over the rim of the dish or you won't be able to add anything else to the casserole without it spilling over.
   
2. Pour a can of cream of mushroom soup and white wine over the casserole. Use a full can of cream of mushroom, but try to avoid using concentrated soup. Add about of white wine to the casserole as well.
   
   • You can use cream of chicken soup if you want the casserole to taste meaty rather than mushroomy.^[10]
   • If you prefer to avoid alcohol, you can use of milk instead of white wine.
3. Bake the casserole at for 20 to 30 minutes until golden. Be sure to press the casserole down into the pan to make sure it does not overflow the casserole dish when cooking. Look for the stuffing to start browning very lightly on top to know when it is finished cooking.^[11]
   
   • You can broil the casserole for up to 5 minutes if you want the top to be extra crispy, but be careful of leaving it in the oven too long at this high a heat or you could burn it.
4. Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes, and serve. You can add leftover roasted veggies as a side, or enjoy the savory and filling meal on its own.
   

[Edit]Turkey Salad

1. Chop up the potatoes, cranberries, celery, and onion. Chop each ingredient into small pieces and mix together thoroughly in a large bowl. If you are using fresh veggies rather than leftover veggies, be sure to cook them properly first in a skillet.
   
   • Potatoes can take a little while to be ready to add to a salad, so be sure to boil them in advance. The same goes for onion, which can be sauteed ahead of time if you want them hot, or can be left raw for a cold salad.
2. Mix the leftover turkey with your veggies and additions in the bowl. Make sure your ingredients are spread evenly throughout while mixing, and be careful not to add too much or you risk masking the flavor of the turkey.
   
   • Some common additions to add to the top of a turkey salad include cucumber slices, cashew nuts, and hard boiled eggs.
   • For a green salad, add a layer of lettuce or spinach to the bottom of your bowl and add your other veggies and turkey on top.
3. Add a salad dressing to the top of your salad and enjoy. Light mayonnaise is a great dressing for this salad as it goes well with both the potatoes and hard boiled eggs, but don't use too much or it can overpower other flavors. Honey mustard is a good dressing as well for its sweet and savory flavors, and cranberry sauce can turn the salad into a Thanksgiving specialty. You can also use lemon juice as a lighter alternative.^[12]
   

[Edit]Things You'll Need

[Edit]Day-After-Thanksgiving Panini

• Grill pan or skillet
• Masher

[Edit]Pulled Turkey Barbeque Sandwich

• Bowl
• Saucepan
• Toaster

[Edit]Turkey Stock

• Chef's knife
• Baking sheet
• Mesh strainer
• Large pot
• Wooden spoon

[Edit]Stuffing and Turkey Casserole

• Casserole dish
• Oven with broil setting

[Edit]Turkey Salad

• Chef's knife
• Bowl
• Skillet for sauteing veggies

[Edit]Tips

• After using the turkey leftovers, if you still have some remaining, you can freeze it to use at a later time. Turkey will stay good frozen for about 6 months. Be sure to re-heat it to an internal temperature of before you eat it to make sure the meat is safe to eat.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Make Turkey Soup
• Make Turkey Curry
• Make a Day After Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich
• Strain and Freeze Turkey Broth and Drippings

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/leftover-thanksgiving-panini-2250042
2. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/leftover-thanksgiving-panini-2250042
3. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/barbecue-pulled-turkey-sandwiches
4. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/barbecue-pulled-turkey-sandwiches
5. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/barbecue-pulled-turkey-sandwiches
6. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/95158/bbq-turkey/
7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-turkey-stock-237636
8. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-turkey-stock-237636
9. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-turkey-stock-237636
10. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/18864/turkey-and-stuffing-casserole/
11. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/18864/turkey-and-stuffing-casserole/
12. ↑ https://www.justataste.com/the-best-leftover-turkey-salad-recipe/

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How to Be Thankful

There is good reason to believe that people who cultivate thankfulness tend to be happier and healthier than those who don't.^[1] Thankful people appreciate what they have instead of obsessing over what they lack. They express gratitude to others and often receive more gratitude in return as a result. They see each day as a new opportunity for happiness, rather than another challenge to struggle through. While some people may naturally be more thankful, don’t assume that you cannot nurture a more thankful perspective in your own life. It may not be easy, but you’ll be thankful that you made the effort!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Being Thankful in the Moment

1. Take a minute to be thankful for your life. Sometimes a good way to get back on track and feeling better is to take a break. You'll need to identify things to be grateful for, and sometimes the break itself is a good reason to be thankful.
   
   • At work, school, etc., go for a walk around your building or step outside for 15 minutes to breathe the fresh air and muse about how thankful you are for the opportunity to take a break, to stretch your legs, to feel the sun, etc.
   • Take a moment to notice the little things you're thankful for, like your morning cup of coffee or your pillow when you lay down to go to sleep at night.
2. Tell someone you appreciate them. So often life gets busy that you forget to tell people how much they matter to you, or that you've noticed what they do and it means a lot to you. Expressing your thanks to others will cultivate an atmosphere of thankfulness that can spread out gradually. For example:
   
   • If your spouse packs your lunch for you, call or text them something like “Honey, I know packing a lunch doesn’t seem like much to you, but I really appreciate how you always try to make my morning just a bit less hectic.”
3. Talk about gratitude with family. Set aside a time, like the evening meal, to talk about the things you were grateful for that day. Let each family member have a turn to discuss what made them thankful that day.^[2]
   
   • Make it a routine to go around the table and mention at least 1 thing you’re thankful for before digging in.
   • Try to be as specific as possible. For example, instead of saying "I'm thankful for all of you being there for me," you could say "I'm thankful that you all help me tend to the garden every weekend."
4. Send thank you notes. It is really amazing what sending just a small thank you note can do. A thank you note acknowledges that the person gave you something (time, effort, a gift) that they didn't have to and that you appreciate what they've done. You don't have to write a massive novel thanking them, just a few lines that let them know what they and their gift, time, effort, etc. meant to you.
   
   • Thank you texts, emails, voicemails, etc. are great to send (and receive), but there still seems to be something particularly special about a handwritten thank you note.
   • Your thank you note can be as simple as a post-it with a short message, or it can be written on a notepad with a flower or heart doodle.
5. Give back as part of giving thanks. Being thankful isn't just about telling people you are thankful — it's also about giving back to your community and friends. This doesn't mean that you give back so that everything is even and no one "owes" anyone anything. Give because it’s the right thing to do and because it feels good to do it.^[3]
   
   • If you know the person, help them directly. For example, you could take your grandmother to her appointments or help your friend move into her new place.
   • If you don't know the person, continue their good work. For example, you could repay your college advisor by mentoring others.
6. Focus on the intention behind kindness shown to you. When someone does something nice for you — gives you a gift, brings you a hot meal, offers to read over and edit your thesis — focus on how they tried to bring something good into your life. Someone gave up their precious time, money, etc., just so they could do something kind for you.^[4]
   
   • This focus cultivates an atmosphere of gratitude that is then passed on to other people through your actions and words, especially if you have children.^[5]
7. Make sure to say “thank you” regularly. Thank the barista who makes your coffee, thank the person who held the door for you, thank the customer service person who helped you figure out why your phone wasn't working. Speaking the words aloud can help cement the feeling of gratitude in your life.^[6]
   
   • Use the words "thank you" as a sort of prayer or mantra. You can thank specific things, or you can just repeat the words over and over to yourself. For example, you could give thanks for the food you ate this morning, the rain for watering all the trees, your rain jacket for keeping the rain off, and so on.
   • By cultivating gratitude (and by speaking it aloud), you can do things like ease anger, anxiety, depression, and other health problems.
   • When you say thank you to people, make eye contact and smile so they can feel the sincerity.
8. Find reasons to be thankful, even when it’s difficult. Sometimes it can be really hard to be thankful in your life. These are the times, however, when it is even more important to cultivate gratitude, because that will help you get through the hard times better than getting angry or upset will.^[7]
   
   • To cultivate gratitude for something like a difficult or boring job, make a list of the good things about the job: it gives you money so you can buy food and have a roof over your head, it gives you a chance to take the bus into the city and see the early morning sun, and so on.
   • For something like a break-up or a death of someone you love, you should allow yourself time to grieve and be sad. Being grateful doesn't mean doing away with emotions like sadness, anger, etc. it simply means making them more manageable. After you've given yourself time to grieve, make a list of the things that you learned or are grateful for from the relationship, and then what you are thankful for about the relationship being over.

[Edit]Developing a More Thankful Mindset

1. Keep a gratitude journal. Record your reasons to be thankful each day in order to cement them in your memory. It doesn't matter how difficult your life is at the moment, there is always something to be thankful for. Finding that will help you deal with the other parts of life.^[8]
   
   • Record about five things you're thankful for every single day. These can be things as simple as "the sun was shining," or they can be as big as "my significant other proposed."
   • Spend a little time each day reflecting on the things you're most grateful for. You may even find that you have more than five things you want to record.
   • If you need a little reminder, download a gratitude journaling app for your phone that will send you daily notifications.
2. Refer back to your gratitude journal as needed. When you're having a particularly difficult time, it can be beneficial to go back to what you've written previously. If it's a really hard time, find the smallest things that you can be grateful for.^[9]
   
   • For example, even if you have a terminal illness, you can be grateful for things like someone bringing you dinner, a warm bed, or your cat snuggling with you. All these little things can make the trauma of the big thing (the illness) more bearable.
3. Get a gratitude buddy. Share your goal of becoming more thankful with a close friend or family member, and ask for their help. Choose someone you can comfortably talk to about the things you're grateful for. Also, make it a person who will hold you accountable when you go down the slippery slope of complaining about things.
   
   • It might work best as a two-way-street — that is, each of you helping the other to become a more thankful person.^[10]
4. Turn around how you think about difficulties. People who are thankful for the things in their lives aren't living an easier life than you. In fact, many people who practice gratitude abundantly have struggled quite a bit. They, however, understand that it isn't the situation that's the problem, it's how you think about the situation that makes it easier or more difficult.^[11]
   
   • For example, if you have to work in order to pay for college, you could think about how your work is teaching you responsibility instead of taking away free-time.
5. Use the right words to describe your life. Using negative language and labeling can make a situation more difficult, and make it harder for you to be thankful in general. For example, labeling it "my horrible illness" creates a more negative perception than simply saying "the illness that I have." In the second instance, not only are you not making the illness part of you, you are also utilizing neutral language, rather than negative.^[12]
   
   • Include your gratitude in the words you use to describe your life. For example, you could say "Even though I have this illness, I'm thankful that I'm receiving wonderful treatment and that I have the support of my family."
6. Be positive about yourself and other people. Bashing yourself and others will make you less able to be truly thankful. When you find that you're thinking negatively about yourself or another person, stop and turn that thinking around. For example, if you think "I am so stupid when it comes to math," tell yourself "I am having some difficulty with this math problem" instead.^[13]
   
   • A simple change in language and perception re-frames things so that the problem isn't you, it's that there is a disconnect between you and this problem. And that is something that you can overcome.

[Edit]Cultivating Thankfulness with Mental and Physical Health

1. Eat a healthy diet. Make sure you're putting food in your body that will help you feel good, which makes it easier to feel thankful as well. Go for veggies and fruits like kale, red peppers, and bananas; good carbohydrates like brown rice, whole grains, and oats; and proteins like salmon, nuts, lean meats, and eggs.
   
   • Moderation and variety is important. Your diet shouldn't solely consist of fruits and veggies; you need protein and good carbs too.
   • Be sure to avoid refined sugars and added salt as much as possible.
2. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Water is a necessary component to making sure every part of your body and mind runs smoothly. Take sips regularly, and drink before you get thirsty.
   
   • Be thankful every time you can turn on the tap or open a bottle and have fresh, clean water to drink. Keep in mind that millions (perhaps billions) of people around the world don't have this luxury.
3. Don’t skimp on the amount of sleep you get. Sleep is a huge component of healthiness and happiness, both of which make it easier to be thankful. While it's certainly admirable to practice gratitude even during those sleepless, anxiety-fueled times in your life, getting enough sleep can help make thankfulness easier to cultivate.
   
   • Set a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, create a comfortable sleeping location and a calming bedtime routine, and turn off all electronics well before bedtime.
4. Follow a regular exercise routine. Exercise releases happy chemicals like endorphins, which help to regulate your mood and make you feel better. And feeling good is both a reason to be thankful and a motivator for practicing gratitude.
   
   • Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. This can be something as simple as going for a run, putting on some music and dancing, or doing some yoga.
5. Meditate regularly. Meditation is another useful way of dealing with mental health issues and a general sense of malaise in your life. It can also help to support your thankfulness and gratitude practices.
   
   • Go somewhere quiet and meditate for at least fifteen minutes each day. Sit comfortably and take deep breaths. Focus on your breath. When errant thoughts demand your attention, acknowledge them and let them go when you exhale.
6. Practice mindfulness. By remaining in the moment, you are making it very difficult for your brain to race ahead and worry or plan for the future, or become bogged down in the past. This is one way of practicing thankfulness, because you are immersing yourself in the present, and thereby giving thanks to the "now."
   
   • Practice mindfulness while you eat. Focus on the food that you're putting into your mouth: Is it hot or cold? What is the texture? Is it sweet or sour or salty?
   • Try this while going for a walk, or simply sitting outside. Notice the color of the sky and shape of the clouds. Use your nose to locate any scents, and listen to the wind in the trees.

[Edit]Tips

• Remember, sometimes you will have bad days, where you're grumpy and dislike everything. That's okay. Don't beat yourself up because you aren't constantly floating along in a bubble of gratitude. That may be the goal, but no one's yet reached it.
• Just because you learn to be thankful doesn't mean that bad things won't happen, or that you won't be affected by the things that do happen. It can simply help to make the things that happen easier to deal with and not as taxing for your mental health.
• You can't always control what happens to you, but you can work on controlling how you respond to things.
• Thanking people for the little things they do for you (at least once in a while) helps others feel appreciated too. A little gratitude can go a long way in making someone's day, and that can help you feel better too.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Stop Feeling Like Your Life Isn't Good Enough
• Be Happy
• Be Optimistic
• Be Thankful
• Practice Gratitude

[Edit]References

1. ↑ http://www.psy.miami.edu/faculty/mmccullough/gratitude/Emmons_McCullough_2003_JPSP.pdf
2. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Community/Pages/12-Tips-for-Teaching-Children-Gratitude.aspx
3. ↑ http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/12/28/6-ways-to-cultivate-gratitude/
4. ↑ http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/gratitude/definition
5. ↑ http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/images/application_uploads/Wood-TraitAndStateLevelsGratitude.pdf
6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-gratitude
7. ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_can_help_you_through_hard_times
8. ↑ http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/11/19/12-ways-to-be-thankful/
9. ↑ http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/11/19/12-ways-to-be-thankful/
10. ↑ http://www.superherolife.com/2012/12/find-a-gratitude-buddy/
11. ↑ https://tinybuddha.com/blog/5-steps-to-change-your-perspective-and-overcome-your-challenges/
12. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950?pg=2
13. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950?pg=2

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How to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey

Turkey has been a North American Thanksgiving tradition for hundreds of years. Knowing how to cook a turkey is essential for anybody who wants to host a Thanksgiving or Christmas feast for friends and family, but if you’ve never cooked one before, it can be a daunting task. For most people, the secret to a delicious turkey is crispy skin and tender, juicy meat, and there a few ways you can accomplish this.

[Edit]Ingredients

[Edit]Brine

• 1 cup (288 g) kosher salt
• ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
• vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon (12 g) black peppercorns
• 1 ½ teaspoons (3 g) allspice berries
• 1 ½ teaspoons (3.5 g) chopped candied ginger
• heavily iced water

[Edit]Turkey

• One whole turkey, fresh or frozen
• 1 red apple, sliced
• ½ onion, sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• water
• 2 tablespoons (3 g) dried parsley
• 2 tablespoons (7 g) ground dried rosemary
• 2 tablespoons (4 g) dried sage
• 2 tablespoons (9 g) dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon (13 g) lemon pepper
• 1 tablespoon salt (17 g)
• 2 tablespoons (28 g) butter
• broth

[Edit]Gravy

• Drippings from the turkey
• broth
• ¼ cup (32 g) flour

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Brining the Turkey

1. Thaw the turkey if it’s frozen. Frozen turkeys must be kept frozen until you're ready to use them. A few days before cooking your meal, you can start thawing out the turkey using a poultry-safe method that will prevent the growth and spread of bacteria. You cannot safely thaw turkey at room temperature for more than 2 hours.^[1]
   
   • To thaw the turkey in the refrigerator, you will need about 24 hours per of turkey. Simply place the turkey in the refrigerator a few days before you plan to cook it. Once thawed, the turkey can stay in the fridge for another 2 days. Make sure you place a protective sheet or plate under the bird to catch any liquid.
   • If you don’t have as much time, you can also thaw the turkey in cold water, and this will only require about 30 minutes per . Place the turkey in a sealable plastic bag and submerge it in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook the thawed turkey immediately.
2. Prepare the brine. In a large saucepan, combine the salt, brown sugar, stock, peppercorns, allspice berries, and ginger. Heat the brine over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer until the sugar and salt have dissolved.^[2] Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. Transfer it to a food storage container and put it in the refrigerator.
   
   • To give the brine the best flavor, prepare it 3 days before you plan to cook the turkey. Then store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to brine the turkey the night before cooking.
   • This amount of brine is suitable for a turkey up to .
3. Brine the turkey. The purpose of brining is to make the meat juicier and the skin crispier.^[3] The night before you plan to cook the turkey, remove the neck and giblets from the turkey cavity and place the turkey breast-down in a large stockpot. Add the ice water and brine solution to cover the turkey.^[4]
   
   • If the turkey is floating and not submerged in the brine solution, weigh it down with a plate. Cover the pot with foil or a lid.
   • Place the pot in the refrigerator for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Turn the turkey halfway through the brining process.
4. Remove the turkey from the brine before cooking it. Discard the brine and rinse the turkey inside and out. Move the turkey to a roasting rack and pat it dry with paper towels.^[5]
   
   • After patting the turkey dry, let it air dry for another hour before cooking it to ensure the crispiest skin possible.
   • Always make sure you wash your hands, cooking surfaces, and dishes well with hot, soapy water when dealing with raw poultry.^[6]

[Edit]Dressing the Turkey

1. Remove the neck and giblets. If you didn’t brine the turkey and haven't emptied out the neck cavity, do so now. You can either discard the giblets or keep them for making broth or gravy.^[7]
   
   • To find the giblets, you must first locate the head of the turkey. Look at the orientation of the legs, because they will always point toward the back of the turkey, meaning the head is opposite.^[8]
   • At the head of the turkey, there will be a flap of skin that covers the neck cavity, and the giblets will be located in here. Pull up the flap, place your hand in the cavity, and pull out the giblets.
   • You may also have to remove the neck, which will likely be located in the cavity between the legs at the back of the turkey. You may also find a premade gravy pouch in either of the cavities, which you can either use or discard.
2. Make the aromatics for the cavity. Put the onion, apple, and cinnamon stick into a small saucepan. Cover them with water and bring them to a boil over medium heat. Once the water starts simmering, allow it to boil for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, strain the water, and allow the aromatics to get cool enough to handle.^[9]
   
   • You don’t have to boil the aromatics first, but it will help release the flavors of the onion, apple, and cinnamon, which will help to give the turkey some subtle flavors and keep the meat moist.
3. Place the aromatics in the cavity. Place the strained and cooled onion, apple, and cinnamon stick inside the bird’s large cavity. You can also fill the cavity with other or additional ingredients, such as:
   
   • Apple slices
   • Orange slices
   • Crushed garlic
   • Fresh or dried herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and sage
4. Baste the turkey with an herb butter. This will be rubbed on the skin of the turkey to make it crispy, tasty, and golden brown. In a food processor, mix together the butter, herbs, salt, and pepper.^[10]
   
   • Using your hands or a basting brush, spread the herb butter all over the turkey’s skin.

[Edit]Roasting the Turkey

1. Position the oven rack so the turkey will fit. For a turkey that’s under , use the middle rack. For a turkey that’s over , move the rack to the level below. This will ensure that the bird cooks evenly without overcooking or taking too long.^[11]
   
   • You will most likely have to remove additional racks from the oven to make enough room for the roasting pan. Make sure you position and remove the racks before you turn the oven on to preheat.
2. Preheat the oven to . While the oven’s heating up, gather your supplies. You will need:^[12]
   
   • Roasting rack (if your turkey isn't already on one)
   • Roasting pan designed for the rack you're using
3. Roast the turkey at for 20 minutes. Put the roasting rack in the roasting pan and set the turkey breast-up on the rack. Pour the broth into the bottom of the pan, but don’t pour it over the turkey itself. Place the uncovered turkey in the oven and roast it for 20 minutes.^[13]
   
4. Reduce the temperature to . After 20 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to .^[14] Don't open the door, as this will let out too much heat.
   
   • This process of cooking the turkey on high and then reducing the temperature will help make the skin crispy and seal in the juices.
   • Continue cooking the turkey at this temperature until it’s done. The rule of thumb is that you need to cook turkey for 13 minutes per . If you're working with a turkey, you'll need to cook it for about 195 minutes, or 3 hours and 15 minutes.
5. Use a thermometer to check the temperature. About halfway into the estimated cooking time, start checking the internal temperature of the turkey regularly. It’s fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of .^[15]
   
   • The 13 minutes per rule is a good guideline, but actual cooking time will vary based on whether you stuffed, trussed, or brined the turkey. Always use a thermometer to determine when the turkey is done.
   • Check the temperature in 3 separate places: the breast, inner thigh, and outer thigh.^[16]
6. Let the meat rest before carving and serving it. When the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest, uncovered, for about 20 minutes.
   
   • When you’re ready to carve the turkey, remove the roasting rack from the pan and transfer the turkey to a cutting board.
   • Resting the turkey before cutting it will help keep the juices inside the meat, preventing it from drying out.^[17]
7. Make gravy from the drippings. Transfer the liquid in the roasting pan to a large saucepan. Add of stock or broth to the drippings and heat the mixture over medium heat. In a bowl, whisk together ¼ cup (32 g) of flour and of broth. Whisk this into the stock and drippings and continue heating the gravy until it thickens.^[18]
   
   • You can also leave the drippings in the roasting pan and make the gravy in that, as long as you have a roasting pan that’s durable enough to withstand direct heat from an element.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Warnings

• While it is safe to cook stuffing inside the bird, it’s not recommended because you risk overcooking the meat in order to get the stuffing to a safe temperature.
• Never rinse raw turkey unless it’s brined. Rinsing won’t remove bacteria effectively, and it could actually spread germs around your kitchen and increase your chances of getting sick. The best way to get rid of bacteria on the turkey is to cook it thoroughly.^[19]

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Cook a Turkey
• Roast a Turkey
• Cook a Heritage Turkey
• Cook a Turkey Breast in the Crock Pot
• Prepare a Turkey Dinner

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/poultry-preparation/turkey-basics-safe-thawing/CT_Index
2. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe.html
3. ↑ http://honest-food.net/2014/04/03/roast-pheasant-recipe/
4. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-brine-a-turkey-225751
5. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe.html
6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fPDQNRiyvc
7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fPDQNRiyvc
8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCEQmnjoKhY
9. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe.html
10. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/166160/juicy-thanksgiving-turkey/
11. ↑ http://www.howtocookathanksgivingturkey.com/
12. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-a-turkey-the-simplest-easiest-method-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-160905
13. ↑ http://www.howtocookathanksgivingturkey.com/
14. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe.html
15. ↑ http://whatscookingamerica.net/Poultry/stuffingsafe.htm
16. ↑ http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-a-turkey-the-simplest-easiest-method-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-160905
17. ↑ http://www.howtocookathanksgivingturkey.com/
18. ↑ http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/foolproof-turkey-gravy/f5652d3d-c137-435e-b84f-fa9cc8e25828
19. ↑ https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/11/21/wash-or-not-wash-your-turkey

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