How to cook a Turkey for Thanksgiving

How to cook a Turkey for Thanksgiving? There are many recipes for preparing and cooking a Thanksgiving turkey. You can barbeque one, you can deep fry one, or you can roast one the traditional way. I prefer roasting my Thanksgiving turkey in the over the good old-fashioned way. Not to mention if you cook your turkey in the oven you also reap the benefits of making your entire house smell turk-rific which you will miss out on if you barbeque or deep fry the turkey outside.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large turkey, preferably fresh from a poultry market, but frozen will do. (NOTE: there will be added steeps for a frozen turkey)
• Large oven
• Large roasting pan that will fit the turkey
• Lid or Foil to cover the turkey while cooking
• Meat thermometer
• Turkey Baster
• Turkey Basting brush (preferably one small and one medium)
• 2-4 cubes of real butter
• 1-2 fresh Garlic cloves
• Dried Black Pepper
• Dried Basil
• Dried Onion Powder
• Turkey Stuffing (optional)

1. If starting with a frozen turkey, fully thaw it out before proceeding to the next step. Thawing time will vary depending on the size and weight of the turkey. A thaw time guide should be listed on each frozen turkey wrapper. If there is no thaw time guide available, plan on at least thawing the turkey overnight (8 hours plus). You can submerge the entire turkey (still wrapped) in a bucket of cold water or if it’s a really big turkey you can place it in the bath tub over night. (NOTE: Make sure the water is not hot or ever warm. Only cold water)

2. Stuff your Turkey.

3. Roast your Turkey.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to baste the Turkey as often as possible to keep it from drying out.
• Do not over or under cook. There is nothing worse then a dry overcooked Turkey or a Turkey that is pink inside.