• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Nancy Horn
    • Press Mentions
  • Work With Us & Media Kit
    • Contributors
  • Privacy Policy (GDPR)
  • Printable Recipes

The Mama Maven Blog

NYC Mom Lifestyle Blog

  • Featured
  • Travel
  • Recipes
    • School Lunches
    • Recipes
    • Lunches
    • Organic Food
    • Passover
  • Kids
  • Moms
    • Shopping
      • Tech
        • Tech
      • Giveaways
  • Type 1 Diabetes Posts
  • NYC
    • New York Events
      • Queens Events
    • Museums
    • Local Love
  • Beauty
    • Videos
  • Videos

How To Cook a Turkey for Thanksgiving

11/24/2021 by The Mama Maven

This post contains affiliate links.

So, let’s talk Turkey (literally!). Maybe it’s your first time being asked to make a turkey for Thanksgiving or maybe you just feel like giving it a try. It’s easier than you think and these simple instructions are straight from my parents, who usually make turkey dinners just for fun. This is how to cook turkey for Thanksgiving or anytime you wish!
This is a non-stuffing version. I know, it tastes better with the stuffing made inside, but it’s been said that it’s not protecting you against food borne diseases – while you may cook the turkey to 165 degrees, the stuffing inside may not get to that temperature and people could get sick. You don’t want salmonella or E. coli, get more information at The Kitchn.

How to Make a Turkey for Thanksgiving | The Maven Blog



Your turkey should be defrosted in your fridge for DAYS (like 5) based on the weight. I had a 20 pound turkey.
This is based on eating at 2PM on Turkey Day.

Start cleaning your turkey at 8 am. Turn on your oven to 350 degrees. Make sure it’s defrosted totally. If you see ice crystals, run it under cold water until ice crystals are gone.

Cleaning the turkey

Then remove the giblets. You can throw them out or use them in a gravy recipe.

Near the turkey’s rear end is a big thing of fat. Remove – either slice off or pry off. Then with the part of that goes over the fence last (my mom’s favorite part), check for pin feathers. You can use pliers to remove if they are giving you a problem.

Have turkey resting on a plate in the sink, run water through it to clean it. Make sure to dry the turkey off. You can use a paper towel. Make sure to clean the entrails off.

If you are not making stuffing, make sure to cover the big cavity with aluminum foil balled up.

Get 18.5 wide aluminum foil – make a tent to cover the turkey to attach it to the pan. My parents place the turkey in a roasting pan with a rack. They don’t add butter or any spices or brine. Place the turkey breast side up in the roasting pan.

Pour water on the bottom of the pan and replenish every half hour. After 2 hours, take foil off for 30-45 min to brown the skin. Then put the foil back on and keep roasting your turkey. Your turkey should have a pop up timer, but I also use a digital meat thermometer. I just got this one by Kizen called the Instapen Pro with Voice and it was so easy to use!

The turkey should take around 4 hours to cook (check after 3.5 hours).

IMPORTANT: Turkey should be at least 165 degrees to be safe to eat (check the temperature).

Rock one of the legs, if it’s cooked, it should wiggle very easily. Take your turkey out to rest and serve once it’s cooled a little. And now you know how to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving! Enjoy and let me know how it comes out!

How to Make a Turkey for Thanksgiving - The Maven Blog

Related Posts

Save your turkey carcass and make this Turkey Barley Soup https://www.themamamaven.com/thanksgiving-leftover-idea-turkey-barley-soup/

Turkey Barley Soup - Family Recipe | The Mama Maven Blog

And if you have a smaller turkey, use your Instant Pot!
Recipe: https://www.themamamaven.com/instant-pot-turkey-breast/

Instant Pot Turkey Breast | The Mama Maven Blog
8 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • LinkedIn
  • Yummly
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Cooking, Featured, Food, Holiday Cooking, Thanksgiving Tagged With: how to cook a turkey, how to make a turkey, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving dinner

Previous Post: « Operation Santa: How To Help a Child in Need This Holiday Season
Next Post: Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide for Kids and Adults »

Reader Interactions

It’s Been 1 Year Since My Son Was Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes


Image and video hosting by TinyPic
“

Yumble Kids – Healthy Food to Your Door!

Healthy Kids Meals | No Cooking Required

 

Yumble Teal Circle 600x600

Trackbacks

  1. My Father Passed Away - The Mama Maven Blog says:
    04/03/2022 at 5:46 PM

    […] How To Cook a Turkey for Thanksgiving […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

CONTACT ME

themamamaven@gmail.com

 

Flying With A Child With Type 1 Diabetes


Get a Membership at BJ’s for $25

List of No Carb and Low Carb Snacks


Image and video hosting by TinyPic
”

YUMBLE KIDS: KIDS MEAL DELIVERY SERVICE REVIEW ( + DISCOUNT CODE)



Do you qualify for a free breast pump?

Our Type 1 Diabetes Story


  • zulily Referral Link

    If you aren’t a member of Zulily, use my referral link to sign up: http://www.zulily.com/invite/nhorn329/.


    Great Camp Labels

    Categories

    Lands' End #DearMom

    Get up to 25% off & choose from 20+ fully prepared, healthy kids’ meals each week!

    Get up to 25% off & choose from 20+ fully prepared, healthy kids’ meals each week!

    Amazon Affiliate Program

    Nancy Johnson Horn (The Mama Maven Blog) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

    Footer

    Favorite Instant Pot Recipes

    New York CityPASS

    Causes I support

    Visiting Israel with the JWRP #MediaMagnets


    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    “


    Image and video hosting by TinyPic"

    Copyright © 2023 The Mama Maven · Development by Tech·mom·o·gy Designs™.

    8 shares