How to Tie a Turkey for a Rotisserie

Use butcher's twine to tie your turkey.

This year you plan to step outside of your comfort zone. Instead of baking your turkey, you plan to make it rotisserie-style, which means you need to know how to truss or tie it. Tying your turkey will prevent it from flapping around as it turns and allow it to hold its shape instead of falling apart. Trussing a turkey is like tying a chicken: There is no right or wrong way; it just takes time to become proficient.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Paper towel
• Butcher's twine
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Rinse turkey with cool water and pat dry.

2. Put the turkey on a clean surface with the breast side facing up. The neck cavity should be at the top.

3. Cut a long piece of butcher's string. Place the middle of the string under the turkey tail. Pull it up and around the turkey's legs, crossing them as you pull the sting toward the tail.

4. Turn the turkey over and drag the string up toward the wings and cross the string.

5. Turn the turkey breast side up again and wrap the string around the turkey wings, holding them to the turkey's body. Tie a knot to keep the trussed turkey in its compressed position.

References

• Cooking Louisiana: Rotisserie Turkey
• Food Network: How to Truss a Turkey
• Reader's Digest: How to Truss a Turkey

Resources

• BBQ: Sage, Orange, and Clove Rotisserie Turkey BBQ Recipe