Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving for the first time, you’re a seasoned host, or you’ll be preparing turkey for just your immediate family, the subject of the Thanksgiving turkey is often fraught. As there are seemingly endless methods for shopping for, preparing, and roasting your bird, it’s hard to pare down prep, especially if you're doing it for the first time—but don’t worry, we’re here to help.
To take the pressure off the big day, our team has compiled a comprehensive guide to shopping for and preparing your turkey– no matter what variety– so that you can focus on the bigger questions at hand, like who's bringing the pie.
How to Shop for a Turkey
Shopping for a turkey largely depends on what type of turkey you’re looking to buy. Frozen turkeys can be purchased well ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday from your local grocery store, and often come pre-treated with a basting solution of water, salt, and spices– which makes roasting a breeze. Butterball turkeys, which are sold both fresh and frozen, are one of the most popular grocery store brands for this reason.
For those looking to shop from a local farmer, be sure to get on the farm’s list well in advance, as reservations for Thanksgiving turkeys start piling up as early as September. If you choose to purchase a fresh local turkey, you’ll likely get a call a day or two before the holiday, as fresh turkeys must be eaten soon after purchase.
How Much Turkey Do You Need Per Person?
The general rule of thumb for Thanksgiving turkeys is one that's between 1 and 1 ½ pounds per the number of people you’re hosting—meaning if you're hosting a 5 person Thanksgiving, you'll want one that's between 5 and 7 ½ pounds.
While this may seem like a lot of meat per person, remember that not all of the turkey is edible. When you buy a turkey, you’re getting a whole lot of bone with it. This is especially true for smaller birds, as the smaller the turkey, the larger percentage of it is bone.
Additionally, take into account desired leftovers. If you’re looking to have Thanksgiving leftovers for the next week, factor this in while shopping for your turkey.
How to Store a Turkey
Once you’ve successfully purchased your Thanksgiving turkey, you now have to store it for anywhere from a day or two to a few weeks. Where (and how) you store it depends on whether the bird is fresh or frozen—here are the specifics.
Fresh = In the Fridge
It’s recommended that fresh turkeys be stored in the fridge for no more than two days before cooking. The desired storage temperature for fresh turkeys is 40 degrees or below, which means that they do best in the coldest part of the fridge– often the bottom shelf or a meat drawer. Be sure to store the turkey in its original packaging, such as a wrapper or sealed bag.
Frozen = In the Freezer
Many prefer to buy frozen turkeys because they can be stored for weeks in advance. However, they do need a few days to thaw, so be sure to factor in thaw time when you’re thinking about preparing your turkey for roasting.
How to Defrost a Turkey
Frozen turkeys take at least one day to thaw in the refrigerator, but thaw time depends on the size of the turkey. The USDA advises allowing one day of thawing for every four pounds of turkey. So, if you’ve purchased a 12 pound frozen turkey, plan for three days of thawing in the fridge.
Additional Turkey Preparation Tips
Brine Up to 3 Days Before
Many people have experienced dry, flavorless turkey at the holiday table. For this reason, using either a wet or dry brine is a popular method, which adds more flavor and juiciness to the meat. We advise preparing a wet brine two days in advance of roasting your turkey, as this will give the brine time to cool in the refrigerator and save you time the day before Thanksgiving.
For those using a dry brine, it’s ideal to leave the brined turkey in the refrigerator for up to three days. However, for those in a rush, one day will do.
Temper Up to 2 Days Before
For an even roast, it’s important to temper your turkey before it goes in the oven. The process of “tempering” simply means ensuring that the entire turkey is the same temperature. This can be done in the refrigerator. We recommend placing your turkey on a Roasting Pan in the fridge for one-half of a day per four pounds of turkey to guarantee an even temperature.
Use a Meat Thermometer
To ensure that your turkey is fully cooked, make sure to have a meat thermometer on hand. It’s recommended that the turkey breast reach 170 degrees, and that stuffing reach 165 degrees, before the turkey is considered fully cooked.
Ready to Shop?
Now that you’re ready to start cooking, it’s time to make sure your kitchen is stocked for the holiday season with all the right tools. Our versatile Roasting Pan was designed in partnership with Chef Tom Colicchio. Constructed from Carbon Steel, it features high, insulating walls, offset handles, and a removable rack. It’s perfect for roasting proteins, vegetables, or a combination for one pan winter meals. Our Roasting Pan can fit a 12-pound bird, so make sure you order yours with plenty of time before the big day.
