By doing everything wrong over the years, I’ve found the best way to cook a turkey is to toss out everything you may have heard about the “right” things to do. High heat, upside down, no basting. These are the step by step secrets to the best turkey you’ll ever eat whether you like white or dark meat. Keep reading to learn more!
We’ve all been there – it’s Thanksgiving morning, the family is on their way, and you pull the turkey out of the oven only to realize in horror that it’s been cooked upside down! I accidentally cooked a turkey upside down once, and while it wasn’t my finest culinary moment, the turkey actually turned out delicious.
Cooking a turkey upside down is a common mistake, but it doesn’t have to lead to disaster Follow these tips to salvage your upside down turkey and still have a great Thanksgiving meal.
Don’t Freak Out – Your Turkey Is Still Edible
My first reaction when I saw that sad, flat bird was full-on panic. But after the initial shock wore off, I realized the turkey would still be perfectly safe to eat.
Cooking a turkey upside down doesn’t expose it to any harmful bacteria or toxins. The only consequence is that the breast meat might be a little drier or less browned. However with a few tricks you can still end up with tasty, juicy meat.
So take a deep breath – your turkey may look a little wonky but it’s still just as safe and edible. Avoid giving into the temptation to order a pizza and keep calm. This upside down turkey can be saved!
Carefully Flip the Turkey Right-Side Up
Before you do anything else, slowly and gently flip the turkey over so the breast side is up again. Be very careful handling the turkey, as the shape will make it prone to spilling or tearing.
If juices leak out when you flip it, pour them from the pan into a saucepan. You can use these to make gravy later.
With the breast on top again, you have a better chance of getting nicely browned skin by putting it back in the oven for a short time.
Continue Cooking Until the Internal Temperature Reaches 165°F
The most important step is making sure the turkey is fully cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the breast and thighs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
If it’s not quite there yet, put it back in the oven for 15-30 minutes, then recheck the temperature. Keep cooking until it hits 165°F to ensure any bacteria is killed.
Slice the Breast Meat and Arrange It Nicely
Chances are the breast meat got a little overcooked by being face down in the oven. Once the turkey is fully cooked, carefully slice the breast meat and arrange it nicely on a platter.
You can also make slices or shreds from the leg and thigh meat to mix in. This way, no one will notice if the breast is a little dry.
Use Gravy and Sauces to Add Moisture
A good gravy or sauce will go a long way towards adding moisture and flavor back to dry turkey breast meat.
Make gravy using the juices from the pan and any broth or wine. You can also put cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, or other condiments on the table for extra moisture.
Cook White Meat Separately Next Time
To avoid upside down turkey mishaps in the future, consider cooking the breast meat separately from the legs and thighs.
Roast bone-in turkey breast halves or cook turkey breast roulades. Cook the legs and thighs in a separate pan or make them into a turkey thigh confit.
This technique gives you more control to prevent overcooking the delicate white meat.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
At the end of the day, having an imperfect turkey on Thanksgiving won’t ruin the holiday. What matters most is spending time with loved ones and enjoying the special meal.
While an upside down turkey isn’t ideal, it’s unlikely your guests will care, especially if you employ a few tricks to help salvage it. Serve it with love, laugh about the mistake, and enjoy the holiday!
Key Takeaways for Upside Down Turkey Disaster:
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Don’t panic! The turkey is still safe to eat.
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Carefully flip the turkey breast side up again.
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Cook to 165°F internal temperature.
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Slice breast meat and arrange nicely.
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Use gravy or sauces for moisture.
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Cook white and dark meat separately next time.
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Focus on enjoying time with family.
We all make mistakes in the kitchen, and an upside down turkey fail makes for a memorable story! With a little creativity, you can still pull off a very happy Thanksgiving.
Why the Best Roast Turkey is Cooked Upside Down (High Heat Recipe)
I’m sharing all the embarrassing tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way about cooking turkeys. I know this information might be shocking, but the best way to cook a turkey is not low and slow, breast side up. It does not require basting. (It doesn’t even require washing and patting the turkey dry, you guys!) These out-of-date methods make a dry and yucky turkey for your beautiful Thanksgiving table.
This recipe is without a doubt, the best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe! Of course, it’s also a great recipe for any time you need the perfect roast turkey – Christmas, Easter, or any other time you would like to have leftover turkey to add to your freezer!
1. COMPLETELY THAW your frozen turkey
- 12-16 pounders need 3-4 days to thaw. (Put in fridge on Sunday or Monday BEFORE Thanksgiving.)
- 16-20 pounders need 4-5 days to thaw. (Put in fridge on Saturday or Sunday BEFORE Thanksgiving.)
- 20-24 pounders need 5-6 days to thaw. (Put in fridge on Friday or Saturday BEFORE Thanksgiving.)
2. Bring your turkey to room temperature.
Take the turkey out of the fridge an hour before you want to roast it. It should come to room temperature before cooking. That takes about an hour for most whole turkeys.
3. Do not rinse your turkey.
This goes counter to what many people think, but according to the USDA, “Wash your hands, but not the turkey! Many consumers think that washing their turkey will remove bacteria and make it safer. However, it’s virtually impossible to wash bacteria off the bird. Instead, juices that splash during washing can transfer bacteria onto the surfaces of your kitchen, other foods and utensils.”
4. Remove all innards (neck & giblet)!! You might laugh… but not everyone knows to do this.
5. Cut off all plastic pieces on the bird – ties holding legs together and the pop up timer. That dumb plastic timer doesn’t work anyway so get rid of it before cooking your turkey.
How Long to Roast the Turkey
Make sure the wings are tucked underneath so they don’t burn. Cook the turkey for 45 minutes to one hour longer, or however long it takes for the internal temperature to reach 165 degrees in the thickest part of the thigh. Also check the thickest part of the breast meat too. (Just to reiterate, the turkey in the above picture is breast side UP).
The biggest question people have when roading a turkey is how long to cook it. The total cooking time ranges from 2 3/4 hours to 3 1/2 hours for a 12- 16 pound turkey. Add about 13 minutes more for each additional pound if your turkey is over 16 pounds.
If you don’t have an oven safe thermometer, you can use the stick variety too. Just realize that every time you open the oven to check the turkey, it’ll dry out the meat a little bit more.
Finally, when the turkey is fully cooked, remove from oven. Loosely tent with foil and let turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This is very important!! Don’t slice it on the cutting board for at least a half an hour.
While the turkey is resting, use the pan drippings in the bottom of the roasting pan and make a delicious turkey gravy. Homemade gravy is actually really easy. Here’s all you need:
- 4 tablespoons meat drippings
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups stock, use a high quality stock – homemade is best
- Salt and pepper to taste
Get the full recipe + troubleshooting tips: How to Make Gravy
While you don’t have to have all of these kitchen tools to cook your Thanksgiving turkey, they will make the process easier. Here’s what we recommend to get the best roast turkey!
I COOKED MY TURKEY UPSIDE DOWN! It wasn’t the Kwaichete! It was me!!
FAQ
What happens if you cook a turkey upside down?
When cooking a turkey do you flip it?
Should I flip my turkey half way?
Should a Turkey be cooked upside down?
There are a number of benefits to cooking a turkey upside down, including: * Faster cooking time. When a turkey is cooked breast-side up, the breast meat cooks slower than the dark meat. This is because the breast meat is located further away from the heat source.
Why does a Turkey cook faster if cooked upside down?
When a turkey is cooked breast-side up, the breast meat cooks slower than the dark meat. This is because the breast meat is located further away from the heat source. When a turkey is cooked upside down, the breast meat is closer to the heat source, which helps it to cook faster. * More evenly cooked turkey.
What is upside-down turkey cooking?
Upside-down turkey cooking is a fun and flavorful way to cook a turkey. It’s also a great way to ensure that the turkey is cooked evenly and that the breast meat stays moist. By following the steps in this guide, you can cook a delicious and impressive upside-down turkey for your next holiday meal. Here are a few key takeaways from this guide:
How long do you cook an upside down Turkey?
Answer: The ideal cooking time for an upside-down turkey varies based on its weight. Generally, you should cook it at 325°F, allowing about 15 minutes per pound. For a more precise estimation, use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the turkey. 2. Do I Need To Flip The Turkey During Cooking?