Chicken, turkey, and other types of poultry can be difficult to carve for a great presentation and for optimized meat recovery.
This is done when the bird is raw – and once oven roasted, braised in a pot, or smoked, the breast can be sliced cleanly, in even slices.
This can be done on the carcass, or you can remove the complete breast sections and carve them up on a cutting board.
The wishbone of a turkey is a fun tradition for making wishes, but it can also make carving the turkey tricky. Removing the wishbone before roasting allows you to easily slice perfect portions of turkey breast. With a few simple steps, you’ll learn how to find and remove the wishbone from your turkey.
What is the Wishbone and Why Remove It?
The wishbone also called a furcula is a V-shaped bone found at the front of a turkey’s breast. It sits between the breast meat, anchored by cartilage.
Removing the wishbone before cooking has several advantages
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Allows even slicing of breast meat – With the bone gone you can cleanly cut slices across the grain of the meat.
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Speeds up carving time – No wrestling with the bone while trying to slice the turkey!
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Improves presentation – The wishbone can make the breast meat splay open in an unappetizing way. Removing it keeps the shape intact.
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May enhance flavor – Some cooks feel the bone imparts a slightly bitter taste to the breast meat and gravy.
When to Remove the Wishbone
The wishbone should be removed when the turkey is completely raw and thawed. Do not try removing it once the turkey is cooked, as the bone will be fused to the meat.
For optimum ease, remove it:
- Right before seasoning and trussing for roasting
- Before brining or marinating
- Before spatchcocking
Plan to remove it about 30 minutes before the turkey hits the oven or grill.
Step-by-Step Wishbone Removal
Removing the wishbone only takes a few minutes. Here’s a simple walkthrough:
1. Locate the wishbone
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Place the turkey breast-side down on a cutting board.
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Feel along the cavity for the wishbone’s top point, near the neck.
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You can also make a small cut to expose it. It will be 1⁄2-1 inch inside.
2. Release one side of the V
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Using a sharp, thin knife, make a 1-2 inch vertical slit along one side of the bone.
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Wiggle the knife tip to free that side from cartilage and tissue. Don’t cut too deeply.
3. Release the other side
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Make another slit along the opposite side of the wishbone’s V shape.
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Again, gently free that side, keeping the bone intact.
4. Remove the entire wishbone
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Grasp the bone where you freed it and twist slightly to detach it from the breastbone cartilage.
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Pull it out slowly and discard. Rinse the turkey.
Turkey Wishbone Uses
While you can simply toss the wishbone, there are also fun uses for it:
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Make wishes – Let the bone dry out and snap it with someone. Make a wish!
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Create broth – Simmer in water to make wishbone broth for gravy.
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Use as a pick – Shape into a tool for punching holes, stirring cocktails, etc.
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Make jewelry – Craft it into a necklace pendant after cleaning and drying.
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Give your dog a treat – Unseasoned wishbones are safe for dogs to chew on.
Carving and Slicing the Turkey
With the obstacle of the wishbone gone, carving and slicing the cooked turkey will be much easier. Here are some tips:
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Let turkey rest 15-20 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
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Remove the entire breast halves by slicing along the ribs.
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Lay breast halves flat and slice evenly across the grain, about 1⁄4 inch thick.
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Arrange slices neatly on a platter for an appetizing presentation.
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Take advantage of the easy slicing to portion white and dark meat for guests.
Removing the wishbone only takes a couple minutes but makes holiday turkeys much simpler to carve and serve. Use these steps to easily remove the wishbone from your next turkey. Share your beautifully sliced turkey and impress your guests.
Steps for Removing the Wishbone
This is a quick and easy process. Have no fear. Grab a paring knife and let’s go!
Step 1 – Locate the Bone
Turn the bird so that its rump is pointed up. Slide the skin that covers the neck cavity aside and feel on the inside of the cavity for the wishbone on either side of the inner neck area.
If you can’t find it by pressure, take your paring knife and scrape a little of the flesh from both sides of the inner neck cavity. The bone is only a fraction of an inch under the flesh.
Remove the Wishbone from a Turkey
FAQ
Should you remove the wishbone before cooking?
What do you do with a wishbone after you break it?
Is it too late to remove a wishbone from a Turkey?
It’s never too late, YOU CAN DO IT! I’ve been removing the wishbone from my turkey, before roasting, since I learned of this simple trick by working with a caterer years ago. The biggest reason why is that it facilitates the easy removal of each whole lobe from the bone following cooking, allowing even and precise slicing for service.
Can you cut a turkey breast without a wishbone?
However, there is a trick to make this easier: Remove the wishbone. This is done when the bird is raw – and once oven roasted, braised in a pot, or smoked, the breast can be sliced cleanly, in even slices. Removing the wishbone allows for even slicing of the breast of a chicken, turkey, or other poultry.
Can you remove a wishbone from a chicken?
Removing the wishbone allows for even slicing of the breast of a chicken, turkey, or other poultry. This can be done on the carcass, or you can remove the complete breast sections and carve them up on a cutting board. This saves time when carving and makes for a beautiful presentation. This is a quick and easy process. Have no fear.
Should you remove a turkey wishbone before roasting?
If the turkey wishbone isn’t sufficiently dry, you won’t experience that signature snap. Culinarians such as the late Julia Child concur on removing the wishbone before roasting because it helps facilitate carving, making for nicer, even slices.