Do You Put Foil Over Turkey While Cooking? A Guide to Perfectly Roasted Turkey

Cooking the Thanksgiving turkey can be a daunting task. Everyone wants moist, flavorful meat, but it’s easy to end up with a dried out bird. That’s why many cooks turn to aluminum foil to help get the best results. But should you cover your turkey with foil while it roasts? Here’s what you need to know.

Why Use Foil?

Covering the turkey with foil can help it cook more evenly and prevent it from drying out Here’s why it works

• Foil traps moisture and steam inside the pan as the turkey cooks. This keeps the meat juicy.

• It protects delicate breast meat from the hot, dry heat of the oven. The breast often dries out faster than the legs and thighs.

• Foil evens out cooking It prevents the outside from overcooking while the inside finishes

• Turkey covered in foil tends to cook faster. The trapped moisture transfers heat more quickly to the meat.

So foil provides some major advantages if your goal is a tender, juicy bird. But it isn’t quite as simple as just tenting foil over the entire turkey.

Partial or Full Foil Coverage?

You have two options when using foil:

Partial coverage: Only cover the breast with a foil tent, leaving the legs and thighs exposed.

Full coverage: Cover the entire turkey in a foil tent.

Many turkey experts, including Cook’s Illustrated, recommend partial coverage during roasting. Here’s why:

• It protects the lean breast meat from drying out without creating too moist conditions for the legs and thighs.

• The exposed legs and thighs will brown and crisp up with the high oven heat.

• Partial coverage cooks the breast and legs more evenly since the legs get more direct heat.

However, some people still prefer fully covering their turkey with foil. The full coverage approach certainly steams the meat very effectively to keep it extra moist.

So it depends on your priorities. Do you want an absolutely foolproof moist turkey or are you willing to risk a little dryness for better skin crisping?

When Should You Add and Remove Foil?

Proper foil technique is key to roasting success. Here are some tips:

• Add the foil tent about halfway through estimated cooking time. For a 14 lb turkey roasted at 350°F, this would be about 1 1/2 hours into roasting.

• Use a loose tent and avoid pressing it right against the skin. You want steam to escape so the skin dries out.

• Always remove foil about 30-45 minutes before the turkey is fully cooked. The turkey needs this time to crisp up.

• For partial coverage, only remove foil from the breast and leave it on the legs and thighs if they need more time.

• Let turkey rest 30-60 minutes after removing foil to allow juices to redistribute. This makes it juicier.

Following this timeline will maximize both moisture and crispy skin!

Alternative Moisture Methods

While foil is a novice cook’s best friend, more experienced roasters have a few other tricks:

• Brining – Soaking the turkey in a saltwater solution seasons it and helps it retain moisture. Brining does work!

• Buttering – Slathering butter under the skin or on the breast keeps it basted and moist.

• Aromatics – Stuffing the cavity with onions, herbs, and citrus introduces flavor and moisture.

• Basting – Frequently spooning pan juices over the turkey as it roasts keeps the surface hydrated.

So you don’t necessarily need foil to end up with a moist roasted turkey. But it’s an easy, reliable technique to fall back on year after year.

Foil Wrapping for Leftovers

Your foil isn’t retired for good once the turkey comes out of the oven! Make sure to wrap up all your Thanksgiving leftovers in foil:

• Create a pouch by folding over sheets of foil and seal with short crimps.

• Let turkey and side dishes fully cool before wrapping to avoid condensation and sogginess.

• Make sure to press out air bubbles and get the foil directly against the food. Air exposure causes freezer burn.

• Label the foil pouches with contents and date before freezing. Use permanent marker.

• Divide large amounts of leftovers into multiple portions before freezing. This allows for quicker thawing.

With your leftovers all wrapped up, they’ll stay fresh in the freezer for 4-6 months. Getting multiple meals out of your Thanksgiving cooking makes all that effort worth it!

Frequently Asked Questions About Foil-Roasted Turkey

Here are answers to some common questions about cooking turkey under foil:

Should you use foil if roasting in an oven bag?

No, oven bags serve the same steam-trapping function as foil so no need for double coverage. However, the turkey should be removed from the bag about halfway through cooking to brown.

Does foil-covered turkey cook faster?

Yes, foil speeds up cooking by about 30 minutes compared to uncovered. The trapped steam transfers heat faster. Just be sure to monitor temperature.

Can you use foil if the turkey is stuffed?

Stuffing makes cooking time less predictable so it’s not recommended. But if you do stuff, wait until the last hour before adding loose foil coverage to prevent overcooking.

What kind of foil should be used?

Standard aluminum foil works great. Heavy duty foil is best since it’s less likely to tear, but regular foil will do the job. Non-stick foil can also be used.

Should you flip the turkey and add foil to the back?

Flipping is unnecessary. The hot air circulates to cook the back and underside. Tent foil over just the breast area for best results.

Achieving the Perfect Roasted Turkey

Cooking the holiday turkey can feel high stakes. But armed with some foil, basic thermometer skills, and a watchful eye, you can totally nail it. Remember these tips:

• Partially cover the breast with foil midway through roasting to prevent drying.

• Remove foil 30-45 minutes before finished cooking for crispy skin.

• Use a thermometer to monitor doneness – 165°F in thigh and breast.

• Let rest at least 30 minutes after removing from oven, keep foil tent in place.

• Add moisture with brining, butter, aromatics or frequent basting if you skip the foil.

• Wrap leftovers properly with new foil before freezing to prevent freezer burn.

With the right techniques like proper use of foil coverage, you’ll serve up the perfect roast turkey with juicy breast meat, crispy skin, and amazing flavor. Your Thanksgiving guests will be sure to ask for your secret! Just remember, low and slow under foil wins the race when cooking turkey to juicy perfection.