The Most Popular Way to Cook a Turkey for Thanksgiving

A flavorful, moist turkey is the centerpiece of every Thanksgiving dinner. Learn how to cook a turkey in the oven for a roast turkey that’s always juicy and moist, and proves that it’s 100% not as scary as it seems.

The thought of cooking a whole turkey can be intimidating. I mean, why wouldn’t it be? Thanksgiving is a big deal. Eager dinner guests are counting on a juicy, delicious turkey dinner, whether you’re a turkey master or not. Rest assured, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, I have the best tips for how to cook a turkey. Thanks to hosting the past dozen or so Thanksgivings with plenty of recipe testing, I’ve discovered a few turkey cookin’ tricks that answer questions like how long to cook a turkey, if you should cook a turkey covered or uncovered, and whether you should brine your bird or not. To get a deliciously juicy bird, there’s no need for special cookers or clumsy techniques like flipping a piping-hot, turkey upside down midway through roasting. Thank you, but not this year.

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For many families Thanksgiving just isn’t Thanksgiving without a beautifully browned turkey as the centerpiece of the holiday table. But with so many methods available for cooking a turkey from roasting to deep-frying to spatchcocking and more, it can be difficult to know which is the most popular technique. After researching turkey cooking methods and trends, the clear winner for most popular way to cook a turkey is roasting.

Why Roasting is the Most Popular Turkey Cooking Method

There are several reasons why roasting remains the most popular way to prepare a Thanksgiving turkey:

Tradition – For decades, the standard way to cook a turkey has been roasting it in the oven. It’s the classic Norman Rockwell image many have in mind for Thanksgiving dinner Many families stick with roasting out of nostalgia and tradition.
Simplicity – Roasting a turkey is one of the easier cooking methods perfect for novice cooks. All you need is a roasting pan and standard oven. Other techniques like deep-frying require special equipment and more skill.
Presentation – A browned, roasted turkey is beautiful coming out of the oven and makes an impressive table centerpiece. The turkey’s golden skin glistening on a platter is hard to beat.
Flavor – While deep-fried and smoked turkeys have devoted fans, many still find a roasted turkey to have the best overall flavor. The juices and aromas that fill the home as it roasts are nostalgic.
Moisture – Brining before roasting helps infuse moisture and flavor into the meat. Stuffing the cavity with aromatics adds even more moisture. With the right technique, roasted turkey can be very juicy.

How to Roast the Perfect Turkey

Roasting a turkey seems simple, but there are tips and tricks to get the best possible results:

Brine – Soaking the turkey in a saltwater brine before cooking enhances moisture and flavor. Brine 12-24 hours.
High then Low Heat – Start turkey at 425°F for 30 minutes to brown the skin. Then reduce to 325°F until fully cooked.
Baste – Baste the turkey with pan juices every 30 minutes to keep meat moist and skin golden.
Aromatics – Stuff cavity with onions, garlic, citrus, herbs for flavor.
Internal Temperature – Cook to 165°F in breast, 185°F in thighs to ensure safety.
Rest – Let turkey rest at least 30 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
Gravy – Use roasted turkey pan drippings to make a delicious gravy for serving.

Alternatives to Roasting a Turkey

While roasting may be the most popular, here are some other ways you can cook a turkey for Thanksgiving if you want to shake up tradition:

Spatchcock – Flattening the bird by removing backbone cuts cook time in half while crisping up more skin.
Deep Fry – Submerging in 350°F oil yields extremely moist, tender turkey with crispy skin in under an hour. Requires safety measures.
Smoked – Using a smoker and wood chips over low heat gives incredible smoky flavor in about 5 hours.
Grilled – Grilling over indirect heat infuses a subtle grilled flavor. Takes 2-3 hours.

Roasting Remains King of Cooking Methods

When it comes to the big bird on Thanksgiving, tried and true roasting still reigns supreme as the most popular preparation. While deep-frying and smoking have their super fans, most hosts stick with the traditional roasted turkey that has graced holiday tables for generations. As long as you follow key tips like brining, basting, using aromatics, and monitoring temperature, your roasted turkey will come out perfectly moist and delicious every time.

what is the most popular way to cook a turkey

How to Cook a Turkey: My 5 Big Tips

There are a couple of rules for cooking a tender and juicy, golden-skin-crackling, turkey every time. These tips do take some planning ahead, but the steps are so easy you’ll wonder why you don’t cook turkey beyond just for Thanksgiving Day. (Now you will!)

If you do nothing else, do this: Make time to brine the turkey before cooking—24 to 48 hours before cooking day.
Don’t cook the bird with bread stuffing inside. But do stuff the cavity with aromatics for a flavor that bakes into the meat from the inside.
To give the bird that gorgeous, lustrous golden-brown color, cook the turkey on high heat for 1 hour, then lower the oven temperature to slowly roast.
Know that suggested cook times are a gauge of how long it takes to cook a turkey. Depending on how big your bird is or how cold it is going into the oven, they are not absolute. Always rely on your thermometer to tell you whether that golden bird is really done or not.
Always let it rest. Before carving, allow the turkey to rest and reabsorb all of the juices for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.

How to Know When the Turkey Is Done

Turkey breast meat should be cooked to at least 160°F. The thickest part of the leg and thigh should cook to 170-180°F. Be sure to avoid touching the bone. I find that even registering 180°F—the recommended temperature for a fully done turkey—my brined turkey breasts are still juicy and delicious.

Save those drippings! They’re the key to the best gravy. Strain the veggies from the drippings then use the residual with flour and chicken stock or water to make the best gravy ever.

Your First Turkey! Easy Roast Turkey for Beginners for the Holidays!

FAQ

What cooking method is best for turkey?

Roasting the bird slowly, at a lower temperature is the best way to achieve tender meat. You should still prep the bird with butter, salt, and pepper, as described above (or dry-brine it). To cook, set your oven to 325°F and roast for 3½ to 4 hours for a 12- to 14-pound bird.

What is the best way to keep a turkey moist while cooking?

Here is a fantastic tip: to protect the turkey breast and keep it juicy: Fold a large square sheet of foil into a triangle. Rub one side of your triangle with olive oil and shape the foil (oil-side-down) over the turkey breast, then remove foil; it will shield your turkey breast and keep it from getting dry.

Which way is better to cook a turkey?

It’s personal preference whether you choose to cook a turkey breast-side up or breast-side down. The United States Department of Agriculture advises to cook a whole turkey breast side up during the entire cooking time.

Should you bake a turkey covered or uncovered?

To achieve a perfectly golden, juicy turkey, let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered in the oven. We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out; then, during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, remove the cover so the skin crisps in the hot oven.