Deconstructing or cutting up a raw turkey into pieces is shown here, step by step. This is how to break down a whole turkey so you can cook each piece separately.
We shared our popular sheet pan turkey a few years ago but didn’t give a really detailed explanation of how we cut it up. We’re here with that information this year. Then you can cook pieces all together or each piece in different ways. A great way to change it up a bit for the holidays .(affiliate links present)
Cooking a whole turkey can take hours, leaving you with less time to prepare side dishes or spend time with guests Cutting the raw turkey into smaller pieces allows you to cook it much faster With a few simple cuts, you can break down a turkey into wings, breasts, legs and thighs in just minutes.
Benefits of Cutting Up a Raw Turkey
There are several advantages to sectioning a raw turkey before cooking
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Cooks faster – Smaller pieces will roast more quickly than a whole bird, Pieces like breasts and thighs may only take 45-60 minutes
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Cooks more evenly – The thick and thin parts of a whole turkey can end up at different doneness. Cutting it up lets you cook white and dark meat to perfect doneness.
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More oven space – Multiple dishes give you room for sides.
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Easier to thaw – A large frozen turkey takes days to thaw. Thawing just the breast or legs goes much quicker.
Supplies Needed
Cutting up a raw turkey is easy with just a few tools:
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Kitchen shears
- Cutting board
- Large rimmed baking sheet
- Bowl for scraps
Make sure your knife is very sharp. This makes cutting through joints and bones much easier.
Step-by-Step Directions
Follow these simple steps for cutting a raw turkey into 6 pieces.
1. Remove the wings
- Pull a wing away from the body. Cut through the skin between the wing and breast.
- Bend the wing back to pop the joint out of its socket.
- Finish separating the wing with your knife.
- Repeat on the other side.
2. Remove the legs
- Pull a leg away from the body. Cut through the skin between the thigh and breast.
- Cut down to the thigh joint. Twist to pop it out of the hip socket.
- Finish separating the leg. Repeat on the other side.
3. Separate the drumsticks
- Place each leg skin-side down.
- Cut through the joint connecting the thigh and drumstick.
4. Halve the breast
- Place the breast skin-side down.
- Cut along the breastbone to split the breast in half.
5. Remove the backbone
- With shears, cut down both sides of the backbone.
- Remove it and discard.
6. Cleanup and store
- Place pieces in a baking dish or bowl. Season or freeze for later use.
And that’s it! 6 quick and easy pieces ready for any recipe.
Cooking Times for Cut-Up Turkey
Piece | Oven Temp | Cook Time
Breaking Down a Whole Turkey
In order to split the two we’re right back where we started, find and cut through the joint! You can look at the quarter and see what the leg should look like, slice at the top there to reveal the bone as you see here. A sharp knife will do the trick to slice the skin, meat, and bone.
That is why you want to do this on a cutting board. Then you can cook them in different ways if you like. Honestly, using our dry rub or brine and using your oven to make baked turkey legs is pretty to die for.
How do you Dismantle a Turkey
Actually first you’re going to need to unwrap this baby, and remove the neck and baggie from the cavity. Use these for gravy or discard. If you look at the first cut above to remove the turkey wings, there are several joints you’ll want to find and disconnect. To find them you’ll want to pull the part out that you want to remove.
- You’ll want a sharp knife to slice the skin and meat
- A pair of heavy duty kitchen scissors to cut pieces apart, most convenient when removing the ribcage area to get at the 2 turkey breast pieces.
- Lay the whole bird on a very large cutting board, best if it is set next to the sink so the juices can drain right in
- Keep a large bowl next to you for items that you want to throw away.
- And a plate or 2nd bowl is handy to put your separated pieces
When removing the wings you’ll see there are 3 parts to them. Once you identify the joint attaching it to the main body you will want to cut the skin away and then twist where the joint is until it pops off. Then slice the skin attaching it.
To separate the drummette from the wingette, slice in the middle like this where the wing joint is located. Twist the two apart. The pointed wing can be sliced off and discarded. Then continue on to make your baked turkey wings.
How to Cut Up a Whole Turkey (Easily)
FAQ
How to cut an uncooked turkey?
Can you cut up turkey before cooking?
How to carve raw turkey breast?
How to cut up a raw turkey?
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cut up a raw turkey: 1. Prepare your workspace. Make sure you have a large cutting board, a sharp knife, and a set of kitchen shears. You may also want to have a large bowl or pot nearby to catch the drippings. 2. Remove the giblets.
How do you cut a turkey wing?
Pull one of the turkey wings away from the body and wiggle it to locate the joint. With a sharp knife, cut through the joint where the wing meets the body. Repeat with the other wing. Pull each leg away from the turkey body; slice between the leg and breast until you hit the thighbone.
How do you cut a Turkey in half?
Cut the turkey into pieces. There are many different ways to cut up a turkey, but the most common method is to cut it into eight pieces: two legs, two thighs, two wings, and a breast. To do this, first cut the turkey in half through the breastbone. Then, cut each half in half again through the backbone. Finally, cut each leg and thigh in half.
How do you cut a Turkey backbone?
With kitchen shears, cut down both sides of the backbone where it meets the rib cage and remove it. Place the bird breast-side up and press to flatten. Save the backbone and other trimmings, like the giblets in the cavity, to make stock for turkey soup.