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How To

How to Truss a Turkey

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(41 Ratings)

Trussing a turkey means tying the legs and wings together to give the bird a tight look and nicer presentation. Trussing isn't necessary for cooking, and can actually make the legs and thighs take longer to cook, since the bird is pressed against itself.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Poultry Skewers
  • Stuffings
  • Turkeys
  • Kitchen Shears
  • Roasting Pans
  • White Cotton String
  1. Step 1

    Stuff the turkey before trussing, if you're stuffing it. (See "Stuff a Turkey," under Related eHows.)

  2. Step 2

    Make sure the stuffing is well-secured; put a piece of bread or foil over the neck and body cavity openings and secure the turkey skin over the cavity with skewers, if you have them.

  3. Step 3

    Use kitchen string to tie the turkey's legs together, pressing the legs close to the turkey body.

  4. Step 4

    Turn the turkey over and fold its wings back behind it.

  5. Step 5

    Tie another piece of string around the turkey's neck skin, leaving two long ends hanging.

  6. Step 6

    Pass each string end through a wing.

  7. Step 7

    Tie the string ends together, pinning the turkey wings horizontally.

Tips & Warnings
  • Wait to stuff turkey until you're ready to begin roasting. Bacteria can start to grow inside a waiting, stuffed turkey.

Comments  

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Use the end slice of a loaf of white or wheat bread to close the cavity in the turkey after stuffing. No lacing, no sewing. Keeps the stuffing moist and easily removed with a fork when the turkey's done.

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