How to Cook a Turkey (2024)

This is a complete guide on how to cook a turkey. With detailed information on preparation methods, cooking times, turkey flavoring ideas and tips and tricks for success, you’ll be able to turn out a perfectly cooked turkey year after year!

When the holidays roll around, I always have a turkey on the table. Whole roasted turkeys are impressive, simple to make, and are popular with both kids and adults alike. Add a few festive Thanksgiving recipes such as Thanksgiving appetizer recipes, slow cooker cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole with pecans, broccoli casserole, sausage stuffing and bacon green beans, then watch the rave reviews come in.

Have you ever cooked a turkey before? It can be an intimidating proposition, but it’s actually much simpler than you think. This is the ultimate guide on how to cook a turkey, with plenty of guidance to ensure foolproof results.

How To Choose A Turkey

Choosing a turkey can seem overwhelming because there are so many options in the stores these days. The first step is to decide whether you’d like to purchase a fresh or frozen turkey. Many stores sell fresh turkeys, and you may need to contact your store to order one in advance. Frozen turkeys are available at pretty much every grocery store. Flavor wise, there’s not a huge difference between a frozen and fresh turkey. Frozen turkeys are often less expensive than fresh turkeys. If you buy a fresh turkey, you’ll need to use it within 3 days of purchase. If you’ve selected a frozen turkey, make sure you have enough time to fully defrost the turkey in the fridge before the big day.

Make sure to carefully read the label on whatever turkey you choose. Some turkeys come pre-brined, which means you’ll want to skip making your own brine and go easy on the salt when preparing your bird. I typically purchase a fresh or frozen turkey with no salt or brine solution added so that I can control the flavors and the salt level.

How To Prepare A Turkey

To prepare a turkey for roasting you’ll need to do the following steps:

1. Remove the neck from the turkey cavity. You can discard it, or use it to make broth for your turkey gravy.
2. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Most grocery stores sell oven safe string that will work for this pupose.
3. Fold the ends of the turkey wings under your bird. This keeps the tips of the wings from getting overly browned, and brings the wings closer to the body of the turkey so that everything cooks at the same rate.
4. Remove the giblet bag from the cavity of the turkey. I typically discard the giblet bag.
5. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels for the crispiest skin.

How To Cook A Turkey

The simplest way to cook a turkey is to coat it in a mixture of butter, herbs and spices, then place it on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Insert a digital thermometer inside the thickest part of the bird, which tends to be in the meatiest area of the thigh, or the thickest part of the breast. Be careful not to touch the bone! Bake the turkey, first at a higher temperature to brown the outside, then at a lower temperature to cook the interior. Baste the turkey occasionally with chicken or turkey broth.

When the thermometer indicates the the turkey is done, remove it from the oven. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes to let the juices distribute. Carve your Thanksgiving turkey, then serve and enjoy. Be sure to save the pan drippings to make turkey gravy!

How To Cook A Turkey In A Smoker

Looking to do something a little different this Thanksgiving? Try cooking your turkey in an electric smoker! Brine the turkey, then coat it in homemade turkey rub and smoke until tender and juicy. This is one of my very favorite ways to cook a turkey. Be sure to check out my detailed instructions for the ultimate smoked turkey. If you choose to smoke your turkey, be sure to try my smoked turkey brine and smoked turkey rub recipes.

How To Cook A Turkey In A Crockpot

Cooking a turkey in a crockpot is a great way to make a fuss-free main course. The turkey stays moist in the enclosed crockpot and it’s a hands off technique. That being said, it’s often hard to find a whole turkey that’s small enough to fit in a slow cooker! The solution? Make a whole or half turkey breast instead. Here is my recipe for slow cooker turkey breast, this one gets tons of rave reviews.

How To Cook A Turkey In A Fryer

Deep fried turkey is a very popular holiday dish, but I feel that this one is not necessarily for beginners. For this turkey, you’ll need to purchase a deep fat fryer and be sure to strictly adhere to my safety tips to ensure a good outcome. The end result is totally delectable, so if you decide to try it, you’ll most definitely be thrilled with the taste! Here is my recipe for the best ever deep fried turkey.

Leftover Turkey Ideas

One of the best parts of making turkey is the leftovers! Use your extra turkey to make sandwiches, turkey salad, turkey soup, or check out my comprehensive list of leftover turkey recipes.

Now that you know how to cook a turkey, you’re ready for the holidays! Use the roast turkey recipe below for the absolute best tender, juicy turkey of all time.

How To Cook A Turkey Video