The turkey is the most important part of Thanksgiving, and we are going to share the 5 BEST ways to cook the juiciest, full of flavor, and all-around perfect turkey. If you want to cook your turkey in an oven, a slow cooker, an Instant Pot, an air fryer, or even a convection oven . . . we have you covered!
With Thanksgiving day coming up, how to cook a turkey is one of the most important parts of the meal!
While most people like to cook their turkey in the oven, we wanted to share with you our favorite ways to cook a turkey and have it turn out perfect every time!
The best way to roast turkey is whatever way works best for you. If this is your first time cooking a turkey, you should review all the options to decide which way will be best for you. Whichever cooking method you choose, you will have the best turkey as long as you follow our step-by-step instructions below.
The perfect Thanksgiving turkey is all about the size of the turkey and how you cook it. You want to cook it longer if it’s a larger bird and ensure you have enough oven space to properly cook it, depending on the size of the turkey. The easiest way to make the best turkey of the holiday season is to give yourself plenty of time to learn how to prepare the bird, and then give it enough time to properly cook.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning your holiday menu The centerpiece of any Thanksgiving table is undoubtedly the turkey But roasting a whole bird in the oven can be intimidating, especially for novice cooks. If you want to try something new and exciting this year, here are 3 different ways to cook your Thanksgiving turkey.
1. Deep Fry Your Turkey
Deep frying your turkey produces an exceptionally moist, tender, and flavorful bird with crispy skin in a fraction of the time it takes to roast. The key is submerging the turkey in hot peanut oil, which travels throughout the meat, cooking it quickly and evenly. A deep fried turkey cooks in about 3-4 minutes per pound, whereas a roasted turkey takes 13-15 minutes per pound.
To get started, purchase a turkey fryer kit. Fill the propane burner tank and heat the oil to 350°F Carefully lower your thawed and dried turkey into the hot oil using the hook and slowly cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F The skin will turn a beautiful golden brown. Allow the turkey to rest before carving. Deep frying does take some setup, but it’s worth it for the juicy, crunchy results.
2. Smoke Your Turkey
For incredible depth of flavor, try smoking your Thanksgiving turkey. The smoke permeates the meat, giving it a sweet, woodsy taste. You’ll need an electric or charcoal smoker to get started. Aim for a temperature between 225-275°F.
Prepare your turkey by removing the backbone to flatten it out making it easier to cook evenly. Rub the skin with spices herbs, and oil. Place the spatchcocked turkey in the smoker, breast-side up, and let it smoke for 3-4 hours until fully cooked. The smoky aroma is mouthwatering. Rest the turkey before serving. Go easy on the gravy – the natural juices and smoke flavor really shine through.
3. Grill Your Turkey
Grilling imparts a delicious char while freeing up your oven space for side dishes. Plus, kids love getting involved with the outdoor cooking! Be sure to use a charcoal or gas grill with a lid. Prepare the turkey by removing the backbone and flattening it out. Rub the skin with oil, salt, pepper, and spices.
Place the spatchcocked turkey on the grill, skin-side down first. Cover and grill over indirect medium heat for 2-3 hours until the breast meat reaches 165°F, flipping halfway through. The skin gets nice and crispy. If using a charcoal grill, add fresh coals every hour to maintain the heat. The smoky, charred flavor is phenomenal. Let the turkey rest before slicing and serving.
Cooking Tips
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Always thaw your turkey completely in the refrigerator before cooking. This takes 1-3 days depending on the size.
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Dry your turkey well before frying or grilling to prevent the hot oil or flames from splattering.
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Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature, especially for smoked and grilled turkeys where the skin color isn’t a good gauge of doneness.
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Let the cooked turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving so the juices redistribute evenly.
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Carve the turkey by first removing the legs and wings, then slicing the breast meat off the bone.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F before eating.
This Thanksgiving, wow your guests by taking your turkey outside the oven. Deep frying, smoking, and grilling all infuse amazing flavors into the meat. Just remember to thaw, dry, monitor the temperature, and promptly refrigerate. Whichever cooking method you choose, your Thanksgiving turkey is sure to be a huge hit!
Our favorite recipe to cook a turkey in an air fryer: Air Fryer Thanksgiving Turkey
How to cook a turkey in a convection Oven:
One of our favorite ways to cook a turkey is in our convection oven.
The difference between a regular (convention) oven and a convection oven is that the source of heat in a conventional oven is stationery and rises up from the bottom. The heat from a convection oven is blown by fans, so the air circulates all over the inside of the oven. In a convection oven, the heat is distributed evenly all around the food.
If you have a convection oven, it’s a great way to cook a turkey!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F on the convection setting.
Remove packaging from turkey and pat dry with paper towels.
Place turkey on roasting pan and brush with olive oil.
Cut and loosen the skin from the turkey breast and rub rosemary and thyme onto the turkey.
Place the turkey in the lowest rack of the oven and cook for 2-2 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the turkey thigh reaches 180 degrees F.
Watch how we cook our turkey here:
3 Ways to Cook Your Thanksgiving Turkey
FAQ
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