How Long Should You Let Your Turkey Rest Before Carving?

The Thanksgiving turkey is the centerpiece of the holiday meal. After spending hours preparing, seasoning, stuffing, and roasting this impressive bird, you want to make sure you carve it properly so it tastes as delicious as it looks. An important step is letting the turkey rest before carving. But how long should you really wait?

Why You Need to Let the Turkey Rest

It may be tempting to dive right in and start carving as soon as the turkey comes out of the oven. However, this is a mistake. If you cut into the turkey too soon, the juices will run out onto your cutting board rather than staying locked into the meat Letting the turkey rest allows time for the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat.

Resting also allows the turkey to finish cooking gently. The temperature will continue rising around 5-10 degrees F even after it’s out of the oven. If you carve too soon, parts of the turkey could still be undercooked.

Finally, resting gives time for the turkey to cool to a temperature that is safe to handle and carve. Be careful, as the interior will still be hot for quite some time after cooking

How Long Should You Rest Your Turkey?

There is no set time for how long to rest a turkey before carving, but general guidelines recommend 30-45 minutes. The exact time depends on the size of your turkey:

• 12-15 lb turkey: Rest 30 minutes
• 16-20 lb turkey: Rest 35 minutes
• 20-24 lb turkey: Rest 40 minutes
• Over 24 lbs: Rest 45 minutes

Tip: Resting time is more important for the breast meat than the darker leg and thigh meat. The white breast meat dries out more quickly when sliced hot.

Steps for Resting Your Turkey

Follow these steps for properly resting your turkey:

• When the turkey reaches 165°F, remove it from the oven. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the thigh.

• Transfer the turkey from the roasting pan to a cutting board or platter. The turkey should no longer be in contact with the hot pan during resting time.

• Loosely cover the entire turkey with aluminum foil. Avoid tight wrapping, as steam from the bird can make the skin soggy.

• Let sit for 30-45 minutes depending on turkey size.

• Check the temperature again before carving. It should reach 170°F after resting. If not, return to the oven for 5-10 more minutes.

• Pour the juices from the roasting pan into a fat separator. Use to make gravy after carving the turkey.

• After resting, remove the foil and carve the turkey. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate within 2 hours.

Resting Tips

• Make sure to rest the turkey in a room temperature area, not a hot oven or toaster oven. The cooler air helps reduce the temperature.

• Don’t leave the turkey resting for more than 2 hours, as bacteria can start growing.

• You can tent foil over just the breast area if pressed for time. The breast needs more resting time than the legs.

• Rest a fried turkey just like a roasted turkey. Drain oil then let sit 30 minutes before slicing.

• If roasting ahead of time, carve the turkey after letting it rest then refrigerate. Reheat portions later.

• Brush the skin with olive oil or pan drippings before serving for added moisture after resting.

Why You Should Never Skip the Resting Step

It may be hard to resist immediately carving into the golden brown turkey fresh from the oven. But skipping the resting period results in a drier, less flavorful turkey. Here’s what happens:

• The juices run out onto the cutting board rather than staying and moisturizing the meat. This causes the breast meat in particular to become dry.

• Flavor is lost along with the juices. The rich juices contribute lots of savory turkey flavor.

• The turkey will be harder to carve neatly if the meat is still steaming hot. Pieces are more likely to shred and tear.

• Portions may be undercooked, especially the innermost sections, if sliced before the temperature finishes rising.

• You’re likely to burn your fingers trying to maneuver a piping hot turkey straight from the oven.

So while it requires some patience, resting your turkey properly is a key step to ensure perfect doneness, moisture, and flavor. Once you’ve let your turkey take its time resting, it will be ready to carve and serve for a spectacular holiday meal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resting Turkey

How long should you let a turkey rest before carving for juiciest meat?

Let the turkey rest 30-45 minutes depending on size for juicy meat that holds in its natural juices instead of leaking them onto the cutting board. Resting redistributes the juices back into the meat.

Does turkey need to rest before slicing?

Yes, always let turkey rest after roasting and before carving. Resting allows juices to absorb back into the meat, lets the temperature finish cooking, and makes the turkey easier to handle for carving.

Is it OK to leave turkey out while resting?

It is safe to leave turkey out at room temperature while resting for up to 2 hours after cooking. Any longer and bacteria could start growing. For food safety, refrigerate within 2 hours.

Should you tent turkey with foil while resting?

Loosely tenting foil over the turkey helps retain heat and moisture while it rests. Avoid tight foil that can cause steam buildup and soggy skin. Tent just the breast if short on time since white meat dries out fastest.

How long does fried turkey need to rest before carving?

Let fried turkey drain oil then rest for 30 minutes just like roasted turkey before slicing. The resting time allows juices to redistribute and meat to finish cooking.

What’s the best way to keep turkey warm while resting?

Loosely tent foil over the turkey, then wrap in towels to help insulate it and retain heat. Keep in a warm oven or cooler set to low until ready to carve for a hot turkey.

Can you rest a turkey in a cooler?

A cooler set to a low temperature is an ideal way to let your turkey rest and stay hot for up to 2 hours. The insulated environment gently finishes cooking the turkey while keeping it food safe.

What happens if you don’t let the turkey rest before carving?

Carving turkey before resting means dry meat, lost juices and flavor, uneven cooking, and a harder to carve bird. Always let turkey rest 30-45 minutes after roasting for best texture and moisture.

Should you rest a turkey before or after stuffing comes out?

Remove the stuffing from the turkey cavity before resting. This prevents overcooking of the stuffing during the resting time. Let turkey rest 30-45 minutes after roasting, whether stuffed or unstuffed.

How can you tell when turkey is done resting?

Check the temperature with a meat thermometer after the estimated resting time. Turkey is ready to carve when it reaches 170°F. If under, return to oven 5-10 minutes. Let sit 10 more minutes before slicing.

Should you cover turkey with foil while it rests?

Loosely tenting foil over the roasted turkey helps retain heat and moisture during resting time. Avoid wrapping tightly or the bird may steam and skin will get soggy.

The Takeaway on Letting Your Turkey Rest

Letting the turkey rest before carving is a crucial step for roast turkey success. Be sure to allow 30-45 minutes of resting time depending on turkey size for evenly cooked, juicy meat. Resist the urge to slice too soon and your patience will pay off with the perfect turkey for your holiday table.