The hardest part of preparing a turkey is getting it out of the silly bag! Then it’s taking the metal or plastic piece out of the turkey.
Removing the Plastic Hock Lock from Your Thanksgiving Turkey
As you get your turkey ready for the oven, you may notice a piece of hard plastic wrapped around its legs. This plastic device is called a hock lock. It keeps the turkey’s legs together during processing and packaging. But does it need to come off before you cook the bird? Let’s find out
What is a Hock Lock?
A hock lock is a band made of heat-resistant nylon that encircles the turkey’s legs, holding them closed. It maintains the bird’s shape for an attractive presentation in grocery store packaging. Hock locks are sometimes called stirrups.
Turkey processors started using hock locks decades ago to truss the legs neatly. Previously, the legs were tied together with metal clips or string. The sturdy hock lock does the job without tearing the skin or flesh. It also doesn’t require removal before cooking.
Reasons to Remove the Hock Lock
While hock locks are designed to remain on turkeys baked at normal oven temperatures, there are a few reasons you may want to remove it:
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Inspect inside the cavity – Removing the hock lock allows you to thoroughly check inside the body cavity for giblets and the neck. Ensure no plastic wrapping was left behind.
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Apply seasoning – Taking off the hock lock enables you to evenly coat the turkey legs with oil, spices, and herbs.
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Stuff the cavity – It’s hard to stuff aromatic ingredients into the cavity when the legs are clamped together.
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Get crispy skin – Keeping the legs bound can inhibit air flow and lead to soggy skin. Removing the hock lock allows more exposure for crisping.
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Truss with string – Some cooks prefer to truss up the legs with cotton kitchen string instead. This allows for more control over shaping.
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Deep frying – The hock lock must always be removed before deep frying for safety. The plastic could melt at high heat.
So for full access and the best results, removing the hock lock is recommended.
How to Remove a Turkey’s Hock Lock
Taking off that plastic band around the drumsticks is easy. Just follow these simple steps:
What You Need:
- Turkey
- Kitchen shears or sturdy scissors
- Oven mitts
Instructions:
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Put on oven mitts to protect your hands from the raw turkey.
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Place the turkey breast side up on a clean work surface.
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Locate the hock lock encircling both drumsticks.
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Use kitchen shears or scissors to cut through the hock lock near its base. Apply pressure when cutting to snip through the tough plastic.
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Remove the cut hock lock and discard.
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Thoroughly wash the shears before using them again.
And that’s all there is to it! The legs will now be freed up for full access and maneuverability. Make sure to wash your hands after handling the raw poultry. Your turkey is now ready for further prep and roasting.
Trussing Up Turkey Legs
Once the hock lock is off, some cooks advocate trussing up the legs with string. This serves both practical and aesthetic purposes:
- Holds legs in place
- Maintains the turkey’s shape
- Allows for even cooking
- Provides crispy skin
- Gives a tidy, uniform appearance
You can truss the legs with 100% cotton kitchen string, unflavored dental floss, or silicone bands. Just be sure to remove the trussing before carving to serve.
How to Safely Deep Fry a Turkey
When deep frying a turkey, safety must come first. Here are some key tips:
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Always remove all plastic, including the hock lock. Plastic could melt or release toxic chemicals at high heat.
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Use a turkey 10-14 lbs for easiest frying. Larger birds are harder to maneuver.
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Thoroughly thaw and dry the turkey before frying. Ice and moisture cause hot oil to spatter dangerously.
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Monitor the oil temperature continuously. Keep it between 325-375°F for even cooking.
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Fry the turkey outdoors away from homes, trees and combustibles. Hot oil can easily catch fire.
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Don’t overfill the pot with oil to reduce overflow risks. Allow at least 5 inches of headspace.
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Slowly lower and lift the turkey using heavy welder’s gloves and long tongs.
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Keep children and pets away from the cooking zone for their safety.
Follow proper protocols and deep frying turkey can produce a delicious golden bird. But take extreme caution – safety first.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Turkey
One perk of roasting a big bird is enjoying the tasty leftovers after. Properly store and reheat leftover turkey:
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Allow the cooked turkey to cool slightly before refrigerating.
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Carve turkey from the bone and store meat in shallow airtight containers.
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Keep leftover turkey no longer than 3-4 days in the fridge.
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Freeze extra turkey in portion sizes you’ll use. It keeps for 2-6 months frozen.
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When reheating, use the oven, microwave, or stovetop. Reheat fully to 165°F.
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Bring gravy, stuffing and casseroles to 165°F before serving again.
With proper food safety practices, you can continue enjoying your Thanksgiving turkey for days after the big feast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common FAQs about dealing with turkey hock locks:
Is it safe to bake a turkey with the hock lock on?
Yes, it is generally safe to roast a turkey with the plastic hock lock left on. Hock locks are made from heat-resistant nylon designed to withstand normal baking temps.
Can I microwave a turkey with the hock lock still attached?
No, you should always remove the hock lock before microwaving a turkey. The plastic band could melt or release chemicals when exposed to microwave energy.
What temperature does the hock lock melt at?
Most hock locks are resistant up to approximately 500°F. So they can tolerate standard oven roasting but not higher heat methods like deep frying or grilling directly over an open flame.
What if my turkey doesn’t have a pop-up timer?
Don’t rely on the pop-up timer alone – always double check doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast and thigh. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Can I leave the neck and giblets inside the turkey?
No, it’s unsafe to roast a turkey with the bag of giblets or neck still inside. Always remove them and roast the turkey empty.
Does brining make the hock lock harder to remove?
Brining shouldn’t affect the hock lock. Make sure your turkey is fully patted dry first, then cut off the hock lock using kitchen shears before rubbing the exterior with oil or seasonings.
The Bottom Line
The plastic hock lock keeps a turkey’s legs neatly together but isn’t necessarily required for roasting. Feel free to remove it for full access to the bird. Just use sturdy kitchen scissors and cut it off before preparations like trussing, seasoning, or stuffing. Make sure to always remove the hock lock if deep frying or microwaving the turkey. With the plastic band gone, your turkey will roast to golden perfection.
Removing the Metal Piece
You need to loosen the metal away from the drumsticks/legs – just push the end of the leg bone out from under the metal piece. Then, reach inside the turkey and pinch the metal together at the base. It’s kind of like a spring. When you pinch the two sides together, it releases the grip and it will pop open. Then you can get that thing out of your bird. I swear this is the hardest part to cooking a turkey – unwrapping the darn thing!
Another tip… If the metal is frozen into the turkey, you may have to run some cool water over it to loosen it’s grip. Also, don’t forget to check both cavities, the inside where the metal piece is and under it’s behind. There is a package of giblets under the skin. You don’t want to cook the turkey with that inside!
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FAQ
Can you leave the plastic thing on the turkey?
Do I remove the plastic binding from turkey?
Does the plastic thing come out of the turkey?
How do you remove turkey from plastic?
What happens if a plastic turkey is not removed?
If the plastic piece is not removed, it can prevent the turkey’s legs from cooking evenly. This can result in a turkey that is dry and tough on the outside and undercooked on the inside. * The plastic piece can be a choking hazard. If the plastic piece is not removed, it could be ingested by a child or pet. This could lead to a choking hazard.
How do you prevent plastic from getting into a Turkey?
The best way to prevent plastic pieces from getting into your turkey is to be careful when handling the turkey. Here are a few tips: * Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. This will help you to avoid overcooking the turkey, which can cause the plastic to melt. * Use a roasting pan with a rack.
Can you eat a plastic turkey piece?
The plastic piece that comes with a turkey is made from a food-grade plastic that is safe to eat. However, it is not recommended to eat the plastic piece because it can be difficult to digest. If you accidentally eat the plastic piece, it will not cause any harm. Should I remove the plastic piece before cooking?
Can you throw out a turkey if you melt plastic?
Melting plastic can release dangerous chemicals, and as difficult as it may seem to throw out a turkey you’ve worked so hard on, you must do so for the safety of your friends and family, which is why it is essential to check the turkey for the giblets bag in advance.