The holidays always bring forth memories of happy times and good food. Almost all of us can just about smell and taste the delicious turkey that is cooked each Thanksgiving and Christmas, when we talk of the holidays. I am going to tell you how to cook a turkey in the oven. Being able to cook a turkey without drying out the white meat is easier than you may think. There are little things you can do to ensure a tasty and tender turkey will be the highlight of your dinner.
One of the most important things you need to know about cooking turkey is that it takes a long while to cook it safely, through to the bone. The turkey also keeps on cooking once you remove it from the oven. Never leave your turkey in the oven to keep it warm while the rest of the meal cooks, this will dry out the meat.
How to cook a turkey in the oven steps
1.) Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Remove the wrapper to see how much the turkey weighs so you can determine the approximate cooking time. It is usually 20 minutes per lb.
2.) Remove the giblet bag and the neck from the turkey cavity. Wash the turkey inside and out and pat the skin dry with paper towels.
3.) Place the turkey breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Insert meat thermometer in the thigh.
4.) Rub butter on the outside of the turkey.
5.) Sprinkle salt and sage all over the turkey making sure to also put some on the underside of the turkey.
6.) Add 1 can Pepsi or 7 up to the bottom of pan, if desired. This helps keep the turkey moist and tender and does not change the taste of the meat in anyway.
7) Cover the turkey loosely with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Roast the turkey until temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180°F. As an example, a 20 pound turkey will take 4 1/2 to 5 hours to cook, check the temperature on the thermometer after 4 1/2 hours. All ovens are different in how they cook so cooking time is just an estimate.
8) Around every hour spoon juices from the bottom of the pan all over the top of the turkey.
9.) Remove the foil tent after 1 1/2 to 2 hours of cooking time to brown the skin. Brush with butter to enhance browning, if desired.
A turkey is done when the temperature reaches 180°F. The thigh juices should run clear when the turkey is pierced with a fork. Allow the turkey to set 20 to 30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to absorb into the meat evenly.
Following this method of how to cook a turkey in the oven will ensure you have a tasty, moist and tender turkey for your holiday dinner.
