Cooking My First Turkey!!

What about Honey baked turkey (from the honey baked store)? A little expensive, but the best you will ever taste. Go to www.honeybaked.com and find a store in your area or they do shipping as well.

A., I know how you feel. I always use Martha Stewart's website as a guideline. There really is good stuff on there!! Don't fret about the Turkey, you'll do fine. It is really easy, something that cooks itself with a little basting. Also foodnetwork.com is a good place to go too!

Happy Turkey!!
C.

A., I bet your boys are alot of fun!! anyway, most turkeys now have a pop up timer . It will pop up whwn it is done plus most will have directions on how many minutes to cook it per pound. You can also find some good recipes on food network.com. Hope u have a great thanksgiving!
M. c

Hi,

I always use the Reynolds Turkey bags. I put corn on the cob, potatoes cut in halves and just follow the directions. It comes out perfect and done every time. there is a timer in the turkey that will pop out when it's done. Also, you can season it like you do chicken, lawry's, poulty seasoning and garlic pepper and when you take the bag out you can cut up garlic and onion put in the turkey and in the crease of the wings and leg areas. Hope this helps.
thanks and good luck

Well to start off I hope everything goes well for you!! When I fixed a turkey in the past I have cleaned it all out, put butter all over it, put it in a bag (oven bags for easy clean up),and sliced a whole onion in half and put it inside of the turkey. The onion gives it flavor and keeps the meat very moist not dry. Now it depends on the weight of the turkey on how long you cook it. I would say for a 15 pound turkey you should let it cook between 2-3 hours. Well I would say closer to the 3. Hope everything works out!!!! And have fun doing it don't stress yourself out!!!

This site has so much information http://www.butterball.com/en/index.jsp

They even have turkey podcasts and talklines!

Good luck and take the pressure off by ordering a honey-baked ham for back-up!!

Use a fresh turkey or thaw a frozen one (3-4 days in the fridge for a 15 pounder). Take out giblets. Soak in brine for several hours. Stuff with good-smelling herbs. Roast for 10-15 minutes/lb. No need to baste, but a spice rub before you put it in can be good. Use a meat thermometer; I wouldn't trust the pop-up thing. It needs to be cooked to a minimum temp of 165 degrees F. Eat with lots of people!

Also, Food Network is running TONS of shows about cooking turkey this week and next. You're sure to find something good!

I have to say the best way for me is the following:
After bird is thawed take out the bag of giblets and wash the bird.

The Reynolds turkey bags (can get at any grocery store) are great...I don't put my stuffing in the bird. I put the oven on about 275 then throw the bird in the oven (breast side down) to cook over night. By the time I get up in the morning it is done with meat falling off the bones. This leaving time to do other baking through the morning or day. About an hour before serving throw back in the oven for a warm up.

By cooking with the breast side down all the juices are in that part of the meat and doesn't leave it all dried out tasting.

Hope this helps some.

Hi A.,
Check out www.recipezaar.com . Whenever I am in doubt or need some ideas, I always go there for recipes. You can sort them based on ratings by other users who have tried the recipes and have provided comments, or you can post your own recipes. This has never steered me wrong. In fact, I have used the "Good Eats" roast turkey recipe- yum! The key is to brine the turkey and it will be the most moist and flavorful turkey you have ever tasted. Oh, and get a meat thermometer with the presets for certain types of meats. This takes a lot of the questioning out of where the turkey is done or not. Good luck!