The turkey will continue to cook and the internal temperature will go on rising, by a good 10C. It needs at least half an hour, and up to an hour and a half, covered in foil and sitting on the side in the kitchen (valuable time in which to make the gravy and finish the vegetables). It’s a crucial part of the cooking time, so never, ever, carve a turkey straight out of the oven. Paul Kelly, of Kelly Bronze Turkeys, recommends taking the bird out of the oven when it hits 65C, but you may want to let the temperature rise to 70C first, especially if your bird is not free-range. Thrust the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh (don’t let the point touch the bone) to check if it has reached the right temperature. It’s the only way to ensure a perfectly roasted turkey. Invest in a meat thermometer when cooking your turkey Put a large glass of wine and some water in the roasting tin to make more juice for the gravy and give your turkey legs a jiggle, to see if the meat is tender. For a quick roast bird, bake the stuffing separately but remember to secure all the stuffing in the turkey with a skewer.
Weigh the bird after stuffing to calculate the cooking time. Stuff it from the neck end to ensure the whole bird cooks properly. It's important to remember to not stuff the turkey in the main cavity from behind.
Tips for how to roast a turkey Preparation tips for your turkeyĭo remember to take the wishbone out before cooking as it makes the breast easier to carve. Whichever you choose, have a very merry Christmas. Here, we've pulled together a step-by-step guide on everything you need to know about your turkey, including what to look for when choosing it, how to prepare it properly for cooking, and recipes for any leftovers - because there are always leftovers and so many innovative ways to use up your remaining turkey. You've got the turkey, but how exactly do you cook it and more importantly, how do you know it's cooked? As much as we look forward to this part of the traditional Christmas dinner, we forget that turkey is not something typically cooked throughout the rest of the year.
It's the biggest meal of the year – even if your plans are not quite as you had expected – and one that you can't afford to get wrong, especially if you've got a table full of hungry relatives waiting to be fed.