Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas can be hectic. A host who is preparing a roasted turkey for the holiday meal can be so busy in the kitchen that it is hard to enjoy the company of guests or holiday activities. One way to solve this problem is to prepare your turkey ahead of time. With only a brief reheating necessary, cooking turkey ahead will allow you to come out of the kitchen and enjoy a happy holiday. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
1. Brine your turkey in a large pot or clean 5-gallon bucket for eight to 12 hours before cooking. Brining helps lock moisture into your turkey through osmosis, so that even after cooking, refrigerating and reheating, your turkey will be juicy and delicious.
2. Take your turkey out of the brine, rinse it and pat it dry with paper towels. Place it on a rack in a baking tray. Roast your turkey as usual.
3. Remove your turkey from the oven and allow it to rest for 30 minutes so that the juices will redistribute. The turkey will also cool enough so you can handle it.
4. Carve the meat off your turkey in whole pieces. You should have two wings, two legs, two thighs and two breasts. Wrap each piece individually in aluminum foil and then place it in a food storage bag or plastic wrap.
5. Strain your turkey pan drippings. Place them in the refrigerator until the fat separates and solidifies at the top. Scrape the fat off and preserve the juice.
6. Store the turkey in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze it for up to four months. Thaw your turkey in the refrigerator, if it is frozen, the day before you intend to cook it.
7. Reheat your turkey. Remove the pieces from their wrapping and placing them on a baking tray. Drizzle the pan juices on the turkey. Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast to monitor the internal temperature.
8. Place the baking tray in an oven preheated to 350 degrees. Cook the turkey until the breast meat reaches 165 degrees.
9. Remove the tray from the oven. Allow the turkey to rest for 20 minutes. Slice your meat and serve.
Tags: your turkey, baking tray, from oven, rest minutes, turkey refrigerator, turkey will