Comments on: Holiday Help: The Easiest Way (in My Opinion) to Cook a Turkey

By: Kathy Bennett

Kathy Bennett — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:11:44 +0000

THANK YOU! You made this my best Thanksgiving ever, because I got to enjoy it with my family instead of dashing around madly finishing up the potatoes and gravy while carving the turkey while everyone else sat there waiting on me! My day was much more relaxed because all I had to do was mash the potatoes and reheat the gravy AND there was room in the oven for everyone’s dishes that needed “just a few more minutes”.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:20:14 +0000

Barbara,

Thanks for posting an alternate to regular stuffing. I do not want to
add regular stuffing but will use your idea of onions, garlic, apple,
and herbs.

Lori

By: Need A Nap2

Need A Nap2 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:56:59 +0000

You might add (for those truly doing this for the first time) to rinse the turkey with WATER and gently dry off before putting it into the pan. It really is intimidating!!

Thanks for the great do-ahead tip, that would be a lifesaver though this year we have the advantage of the easiest way – someone else is fixing it.

By: Audra Krell

Audra Krell — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:59:25 +0000

I cannot wait to do this at Christmas! My mom will be here at Thanksgiving to help me make it that day, but on Christmas I’m on my own. What an amazing tip and I love that it’s always moist with the gravy warming idea. Thank you for sharing this!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:43:34 +0000

If you wait till the red thingy poips up on your turkey you will have a dry bird. Go to food network and watch the turkey videos from Alton brown. He taught me the best way to cook a turkey (yes it has a few more steps like brining and aromatics but it’s a juicy turkey that will never fail.

By: Sandee

Sandee — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:19:24 +0000

Laura, you’re a lifesaver!!! I’m in charge of “catering” my husband’s company Christmas party and I’ve been dreading the bird. I’ve never done it before. I think I’ll be doing the cook-ahead method. Actually we have cooked turkeys in a pit before wrapped in foil. That’s a totally different story. Thanks again for the vote of confidence!

By: Danielle

Danielle — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:08:24 +0000

LOL (we feel identical about stuffing the turkey!)…. I make stock from the bones, adding leftover veggies etc.

Also, I slather olive oil on the turkey before putting it in the over. I just stuff it w/lemons, orgnages, and fresh herbs.

We get our turkey free after spending 400 dollars at the grocery store over a course of a month. So we don’t spend a dime. We can get up to a 20 lb turkey!

By: Young Wife

Young Wife — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:03:32 +0000

This is so simple! Thanks for sharing. I too think the turkey should be prepared ahead of time. There are so many different side dishes to make and the house to clean.

By: WEndy

WEndy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:30:58 +0000

I cooked my first turkey last year. It was easy and tasted great! I was nervous about cooking it, so my husband cooked one too (just in case + we have a large family). I don’t have to cook one this year, but I look forward to cooking one again in the future!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:45:24 +0000

Thanks for sharing this Laura. While some of us may be seasoned turkey chefs, there are still ladies out there that have yet to cook a turkey. It’s not hard, but it can be intimidating, especially if you are cooking for others. If you have time and can afford to purchase an extra turkey – especially when they are 40 cents a pound – practice! Freeze the practice turkey to use in other meals over the next few months!

I do not stuff my turkey with dressing – gross! yuck! (think raw, blood – eek!)

I do stuff my turkey with onions, garlic, apple, lemon and herbs, and I baste it with butter – YUM!!!!!!!!! (don’t eat the stuff you stuffed it with!)

Ladies – don’t forget to make some healthy bone broth from your turkey carcasses!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND, if you’re having mashed potatoes, save the water from boiling the potatoes – it makes a great broth/starter for soups, especially potato and vegetable soup!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!