Locating the Wishbone: An Essential Guide to Finding the Lucky Keystone in Your Thanksgiving Bird

As far as Thanksgiving traditions go, breaking a turkey wishbone might just be the oldest (and most bizarre) custom of all! In fact, it pre-dates the very first Thanksgiving dinner altogether—and it gets its roots from ancient Italy! So how did the tradition of breaking a wishbone make its way to the American dinner table? While theres some debate over whether roast turkey was even at the first feast back in 1662, one thing we know for certain is that if you break the wishbone and win, your wishes will be granted (or so they say). So where did this strange tradition come from and what’s the trick to winning?

Breaking the turkey wishbone has quite the backstory and we dug deep to bring you a little history lesson on one of Americas favorite post-dinner Thanksgiving activities. Plus, we also tell you how to find and remove the wishbone, and strategies you can use to best your opponent.

As Thanksgiving approaches, families across America eagerly anticipate the time-honored tradition of breaking the turkey wishbone for good luck. But to partake in this ritual, you must first locate the elusive wishbone hidden within the bird. Fear not, fellow wishbone seekers – this guide will uncover all you need to know about finding the magical centerpiece to your holiday meal.

What Exactly is the Wishbone?

Let’s start with the basics. The wishbone is located in the breast meat of a turkey, formed by the fusion of the two clavicles or collar bones. Shaped in a V- or U-like form, this forked bone provides structural support for a turkey’s wings during flight. It’s flexible and elastic nature serves as a spring, allowing energy release with each flap.

Though all birds possess some form of fused clavicles, the wishbone is most pronounced in birds like turkeys, chickens, pheasants and geese. So while wishbones can be found in other poultry, it is most associated with the Thanksgiving turkey.

Why Do We Break The Wishbone?

The tradition of breaking the wishbone dates back thousands of years. It originated with the Etruscans who believed the bones held mystical powers of prophecy and fortune telling. Later during the Roman empire, two people would break the bone while making a wish with the person receiving the larger portion having their wish come true.

This ritual continued and eventually became a popular holiday game to divine the fulfillment of Christmas hopes and dreams. Though less serious today, breaking the wishbone remains a lighthearted tradition among friends and family.

Locating the Elusive Bone Before Cooking

To locate the wishbone before roasting, start with a raw whole turkey:

Place the bird breast-side up on a clean surface. Legs should be facing you.
Using a paring knife, gently cut and separate the skin at the top of the breast between the two sides.
Reach two fingers into the slit and feel around within the meat for the forked bone.
Once found, carefully cut the attached meat and remove the entire wishbone.

Extracting it prior to cooking allows it to fully dry and become brittle – perfect for a clean break!

Finding the Wishbone After Cooking

If you forgot to remove it pre-roasting, there’s still a chance to recover the wishbone post-meal. Once the turkey has cooled, carefully slice into the breast meat near the center. Use your fingers to gently explore the area, feeling for the V-shaped bone.

You may need to dig around various spots to locate it. Take care not to break it during removal. Also beware of any sharp edges!

Preparing the Bone for the Ritual Breaking

Whether removed before or after cooking, some additional drying time may be needed to turn the bone extra crisp and snapped with ease. Place it in a dry, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks. Turn it over periodically to ensure even drying.

You can also accelerate drying by placing it in a low oven for 10-15 minutes before breaking. Just don’t overcook it!

Breaking Strategies to Win Your Wish

When the big moment arrives, use these tips to get the upper hand:

Inspect the bone and choose the thicker side if uneven. This gives you an advantage.
Grasp the wishbone higher up, not at the bottom tip. Better leverage!
Let your opponent do most of the pulling work at first. You swoop in at the end.
Focus on a clean snap at the center junction point. Don’t just yank the legs apart.
Clench your chosen half tightly as you make your secret wish!

With the wishbone located and prepped, you’re ready to embrace this lighthearted tradition. Let the friendly competition begin and may all your Thanksgiving wishes come true!

where is wishbone in turkey

What are the rules for breaking a wishbone?

First, lets discuss why the furcula, or the wishbone, even exists. Its essentially a birds collarbones that are attached to the wings on either side. Its slightly more elastic than other bones in the body which helps the bird fly properly. Heres how to carve a turkey and find the wishbone:

Lay the raw turkey down breast side up with the legs facing away and the neck cavity facing towards you.

With your index finger, feel on the inside of the neck cavity to locate the wishbone. It should feel like a V-shape bone.

Use a paring knife to cut the muscle along the edges of the V shape. Insert your finger tip to slightly enlarge the slit making sure youre not ripping any of the muscle.

Once both sides of the bone are detached from the muscle, wiggle slightly to loosen up the bone. Then pull gently from the center of the V shape and remove the bone.

What is the tradition with breaking a turkey wishbone?

Breaking a turkey wishbone is a tradition thats been around for thousands of years. Its believed to have started with the ancient Etruscans in Italy who believed that chickens had magical powers. They would save the furcula of chickens—a V-shaped bone near the neck—to dry out in the sun and would take turns stroking the bone and making wishes, hence the name “wishbone.” They later switched from stroking the bone to breaking it and the tradition has carried on ever since!

In what can only be called an anthropological game of telephone, this custom was passed on to the Romans when they crossed paths with the Etruscans about 200 years later. The Romans then brought the tradition to England and it eventually crossed the Atlantic with the pilgrims on the Mayflower, where it became the Thanksgiving game we know today!

Remove the Wishbone from a Turkey

FAQ

Where is your wishbone located?

No. Humans don’t have a wishbone. And that’s because the wishbone, or the furcula, which you’ll find in birds, is a fusion of the clavicles. But we, as humans, have two clavicles.

What are the rules for the wishbone on a turkey?

With not enough wishbones, the custom of two people pulling apart the wishbone while making a wish was born. Once the wishbone is pulled apart, it’s the person left with the bigger part who is the winner or said to have their wish granted. If both parts were equal in size, both people would get their wish.

Why remove wishbone from turkey before cooking?

Removing it meant that carving the meat later would be a lot easier since there wasn’t an awkwardly-shaped bone at the top of the breast to work around. So if you want to impress everyone at the table with your carving skills, you should remove the wishbone before roasting the bird to make it easier to carve.