How to Truss a Turkey

Trussing is another word for tying a turkey, after it has been stuffed or seasoned and is ready to be roasted. Trussing ensures that your bird cooks evenly and keeps its shape after roasting. There are many ways to truss a turkey and some turkeys are even sold with a trussing kit to complete the task. Trussing a turkey is not hard to do; it just takes a little patience. Use these steps to truss your Thanksgiving turkey.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pre-packaged trussing kit
• Kitchen string
• Scissors
• Turkey

1. Measure and cut a piece of kitchen string that is long enough to wrap around the turkey lengthwise three times. It will be easier to tighten the string if it is this length.

2. Tie the drumsticks first. Fold the string in half to find the center. Slide it under the turkey’s tail (near the drumsticks).

3. Cross the string around the turkey width-wise just above the tail and loop one piece around each drumstick.

4. Cross the pieces again and pull them tight to draw the tail and the ends of the drumsticks together. Tie a knot.

5. Turn the turkey over (breast side down) and place the wing tips across the neck flap. Make sure to shut the neck flap before taking this step, especially if you have inserted stuffing in the neck cavity.

6. Pull one piece of string along the side of the turkey and loop it around the first wing. Pull it tight across the neck flap and loop it around the second wing; and then tie it tightly together with the remaining piece of string.

7. Cut off excess string, turn the turkey breast side up and prepare it for roasting.

Tips & Warnings

• Cooking string should be used instead of ordinary household string because it has been manufactured to resist oven heat.

Resources

• Simple Solutions for Family & Home

[mayh3m]

on 1/17/2009 5 stars!!!!

[Kandywriter]

on 1/12/2009 Thanks.

[blaquetweety64]

on 12/3/2008 Great article 5*

[acole]

on 10/23/2008 Good to know. Thanks!