How to Clean Out a Turkey Before Cooking

Getting a turkey ready to cook can seem like a daunting task, but with a few simple steps, you can easily clean out your turkey and have it prepped for roasting Properly cleaning out the inside of the turkey helps ensure that your cooked bird will be delicious and safe to eat

Remove the Giblets

When you first take your raw turkey out of its packaging, you’ll likely find a bag of giblets inside the main cavity. The giblets typically include the neck, heart, gizzard and liver Carefully remove the bag of giblets. You can reserve these to use in gravy or stuffing, or you can simply discard them Removing the giblets creates an open space inside the turkey that will allow heat to circulate while cooking.

Rinse Out the Cavity

For store-bought turkeys that have not been brined, avoid rinsing or washing the outside of the bird, as this can spread bacteria around your kitchen. However, it is recommended to gently rinse out the inside cavity. Place the turkey in a shallow pan empty your sink and clean it thoroughly with hot soapy water. Fill the sink with a few inches of cool water. Holding the turkey cavity-side down use a gentle stream of water to rinse out any excess blood or juices inside the turkey. Allow the water to drain out, then pat the turkey dry with paper towels.

Dry Thoroughly

It’s important that the inside of the turkey is dried thoroughly after rinsing. Any excess moisture left inside can affect how evenly the turkey cooks. Use clean paper towels to pat the entire inner cavity until it feels dry.

Remove the Neck

Reaching inside the neck cavity, grasp the neck bone and pull to remove it from the turkey. The neck bone is connected to the turkey’s crop and windpipe. Removing it allows better air circulation during roasting. Discard the neck or reserve it to use for turkey stock.

Check for Pinfeathers

Turkeys may have small pinfeathers that are difficult to see. Check over the skin of the turkey, especially in the wing and leg areas. Use tweezers to grasp any pinfeathers and gently pull them out. This helps ensure your roasted turkey has smooth, feather-free skin.

Truss the Turkey

Trussing brings the legs and wings close to the body of the turkey using string, skewers or a trussing clamp. This helps the turkey retain its shape as it cooks. To hand truss, loop kitchen twine under the wings and legs then loosely tie them together over the breast. Wrap the ends of the legs also to keep them fixed in place.

Apply Cooking Oil

Rubbing oil over the turkey skin helps promote browning and crisping during roasting. Use a paper towel or basting brush to coat the turkey skin with a thin layer of oil. Olive oil, vegetable oil, grapeseed oil or melted butter all work well. Season the oiled skin evenly with salt and pepper.

Stuff the Turkey (Optional)

If desired, you can stuff your turkey before placing it in the oven. Allow 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup of stuffing per pound of turkey. Spoon the stuffing loosely into the body and neck cavities. Don’t overpack it or the stuffing won’t cook through. Truss the stuffed turkey to hold the stuffing in place.

Cook Immediately or Refrigerate

Once your turkey is prepped and ready to go, you can start roasting it immediately or store it covered in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before cooking. Cook fresh turkeys within 2 days for the best flavor.

Roasting Tips

• Roast turkey breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. The rack elevates it to allow air circulation.

• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the thickest part of the breast and thigh. Turkey is safe to eat once it reaches 165°F.

• Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving to allow juices to absorb back into the meat.

Properly cleaning out your turkey with these simple steps takes just 10-15 minutes of prep time. Removing the giblets, rinsing the cavity, drying thoroughly and trussing are the key tasks that set your turkey up for success before cooking. With a clean, seasoned and trussed turkey ready for the oven, you can look forward to serving up a beautiful and delicious holiday centerpiece.