{"id":2653,"date":"2020-11-02T00:00:09","date_gmt":"2020-11-02T00:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.omahasteaks.com\/blog\/?p=2653"},"modified":"2023-03-23T15:06:01","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T15:06:01","slug":"turkey-cooking-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.omahasteaks.com\/blog\/turkey-cooking-mistakes\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Biggest Turkey Cooking Mistakes And How to Avoid Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

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You want to serve the perfect turkey for the holidays \u2013 that juicy, golden brown, and delicious turkey that is sure to impress. An awe-inspiring turkey doesn\u2019t have to be difficult, but there are a few guidelines to follow to ensure perfection. Here are the top 10 mistakes to avoid when cooking your holiday turkey.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mistake 1: Forgot to Thaw<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Not thawing your turkey in time is the number one biggest turkey mistake. Our 10 lb whole basted turkey<\/a> needs to thaw completely in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Take out your phone right now and set an alert to take your turkey out of the freezer in time for the big day.<\/p>\n

You can also thaw our turkey in cold water. Leave it in the original vacuum sealed packaging and place in a sink full of cold water for 5-7 hours, changing the water approximately every 30 minutes. Either method you choose, just make sure to thaw your turkey completely, so it cooks thoroughly.<\/p>\n

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Mistake 2: Rinsing the Turkey<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Rinsing your turkey is a bad idea and unnecessary. The risk of contaminating your sink and cooking area is high and there is no reason to rinse a turkey. Save the time and save yourself the trouble \u2013 don\u2019t rinse the bird.<\/p>\n

Mistake 3: Skipped the Seasoning<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Turkeys will taste best when seasoned liberally. Our chefs recommend drying your turkey to allow the seasonings to stick. Then, rub your turkey down liberally with olive oil or butter and add your seasoning. You can even add fresh herbs under the skin for additional flavoring.<\/p>\n

Mistake 4: Stuffing the Bird<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s best practice to cook your stuffing in a separate dish. It\u2019s very difficult to ensure the internal temperature of your stuffing is the correct temperature if you place it in the turkey cavity. This means the stuffing may be unsafe to eat. Try our sage dressing<\/a> for traditional and tasty stuffing.<\/p>\n

Mistake 5: Forgot the Flavor <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Instead of stuffing, add aromatics inside the turkey cavity for added flavor. Our chefs recommend garlic, onion (keep peels on to add color and richness to the drippings), citrus, celery, and carrots. These extras add delicious flavors to your turkey and enrich the drippings for gravy.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mistake 6: Drying out Your Bird<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To ensure a moist and delicious turkey, use a roasting bag (included with our 10 lb whole basted turkey<\/a>) or a roasting rack. For a golden-brown skin, you can slice open the roasting bag and expose the turkey for the last 20-30 minutes of cooking time.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t use a roasting bag, make sure you place your turkey on a roasting rack with 1-2 cups of water on the bottom layer. Both methods create a steam environment that will keep your meat from drying out.<\/p>\n

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Mistake 7: Guessing the Temperature<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The most accurate way to determine doneness of your turkey is with a meat thermometer. Don\u2019t guess if your turkey is completely done. Your bird is done when the meat thermometer reads 165 \u00b0<\/em> measured at the thickest part of the thigh.<\/p>\n

Mistake 8: Cutting too Soon <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Once your turkey has come to temperature. Remove from oven, tent with foil, and let rest for at least 20 minutes.\u00a0 This allows the juices to reabsorb and keep your meat moist. If you cut too soon, the turkey juices will leak out, leaving your meat drier than you want.<\/p>\n

Mistake 9: Butchering the Bird<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve made it this far, you should have a delicious, moist, perfectly cooked turkey. Don\u2019t screw it up with bad carving. Check out our tips for how to carve a turkey<\/a>.<\/p>\n