How to Transport a Cooked Turkey

As our families grow and new friends enter our inner circle, the size of our holiday parties grows, too. Bigger parties mean more food and more people to help prepare it. Cooking at home and transporting the food to another location can be tricky, especially if it's something big like a turkey. The following tips will help transport the cooked turkey while keeping it hot and ready to eat.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Cook the turkey fully using a turkey thermometer to ensure it is properly cooked. Chances are good you are bringing the turkey because the host has other things in the oven and there is no room for a turkey, or because the host doesn't have a big enough oven to prepare it. This means your turkey needs to be ready-to-eat when you arrive; don't rely on having access to an oven when you arrive.
2. Use a large turkey pan with a lid, also called a roaster. Choose a pan that provides a good seal to keep the moisture in while you travel. Or, consider using a cooking bag to retain extra moisture and heat during the transporting.
3. Plan to arrive as close to eating time as you can manage. Whether you are running across the street or traveling an hour drive down the road, plan your travel time into your cooking time. The best plan will involve you taking the turkey out of the oven the same time you are ready to step out the front door.
4. Prepare the car. Heat the car up before traveling if it's a cold night. Send your traveling companion (husband, boyfriend or limo driver if you're headed to eat with the Trumps) to fill the gas tank before you and the turkey go for a little ride. Stopping the car to get gas or pick up supplies gives your turkey unwanted cooling time.
5. Place the turkey on the floor of the car with towels around the pan. The towels will keep the turkey stable for the trip so you won't have juices spilling all over the car. Towels will also help reduce heat loss.

Tips & Warnings

• A turkey can sit for quite awhile and still be moist, warm, and yummy when eating time comes around.
• Arriving with the turkey right before eating time will provide the best quality turkey for your friends and loved ones. Besides, you can always socialize after you eat. You'll be the star of the show when you pull this one off.
• Do not cut into the turkey until right before serving; otherwise you'll release the heat and juices.