Cooking turkey. From Thanksgiving feasts to Sunday roasts, turkey has become a staple in kitchens around the world. Whether you roast it, grill it or air fry it, we have cooking instructions for you. Translation in Frenche : dinde.
Roasted turkey
How do I cook turkey?
- Preparing turkey
- Cooking turkey in an oven
- Cooking turkey on a grill
- Cooking turkey breast with a steamer
- Cooking a turkey leg in an oven
- Cooking turkey legs in an air fryer
- Cooking turkey legs in a slow cooker
What to pair turkey with?
Classic sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, and stuffing are always a hit, but you can also get creative : roasted parsnip, cranberry sauce, and sweet potato casserole are delicious options. When it comes to beverages, think Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.
Preparing turkey
Preparing turkey. Turkey is usually sold frozen in supermarkets, so you’ll need to allow enough time to thaw it before cooking. A good rule of thumb is to allow 24 hours of thawing time for every 4-5 pounds of turkey.
Once the turkey is thawed, you’ll need to remove the giblets (the heart, liver, and other organs) from the cavity. These can be saved for making gravy or discarded. Next, rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
You can also buy turkey breasts or a turkey roast or turkey legs at the store. Those do not require any special preparation.
Cooking turkey in an oven
Cooking turkey in an oven. This is perhaps the most popular method of cooking turkey. To roast a turkey
1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Place the turkey breast-side up in a roasting pan and brush it with melted butter or oil. Use our calculator to determine the cooking time.
A general rule of thumb is to roast the turkey for 15-20 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
Cooking turkey on a grill
Cooking turkey on a grill. Grilling a turkey can give it a delicious flavor. To grill a turkey:
1. Prepare your grill for indirect heat and preheat it to 350°F (180°C).
2. Brush the turkey with oil and season it with your favorite spices. Place the turkey on the grill and cook it for 12-15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Cooking turkey breast with a steamer
Cooking turkey breast with a steamer. You can cook turkey breast with a steamer:
1. Prepare your steamer. Add water at the bottom of the steamer. Turn in on.
2. Use our calculator to determine the cooking time
Cooking a turkey leg in an oven
Cooking a turkey leg in an oven. Roasting is one of the most popular ways to cook turkey legs (or drumsticks), and for good reason. It’s a simple and straightforward method that allows you to enjoy the full flavor of the meat. To roast a turkey leg:
1. Preheat your oven to 360°F (180°C).
2.Place the leg on a baking sheet and season them with salt, pepper, and any other spices or herbs you like.
Use our calculator to determine the cooking time for your turkey leg.
For instance a 2 lbs-turkey leg will need 45 minutes to cook at 360°F (180°C).
Cooking turkey legs in an air fryer
Cooking turkey legs in an air fryer. Be careful when you buy turkey drumsticks if you want to cook them in an air fryer: if they’re too big they won’t fit or they could burn if they touch the top of the basket.
1. Preheat your airfryer at 400°F (200°C)
2. Rub your turkey legs with a mixture of butter/oil and spices (my personal favorite is a mixture of butter with garlic powder and dried parsley).
3. Place the turkey drumsticks in the air fryer basket and spray them with a little oil.
4. Cook for 40 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halway through.
Cooking turkey legs in a slow cooker
Cooking turkey legs in a slow cooker. Slow cooking is a great option if you want tender, fall-off-the-bone turkey drumsticks. This method requires a bit more time, but it’s worth the wait. To slow cook turkey legs:
1. Place the turkey legs in a slow cooker with your choice of vegetables, herbs, and spices.
2. Add sauce (I love a mixture of ketchup, paprika, garlic powder and water) and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the meat is tender and cooked through.
Turkey belongs to the same family as chickens, ducks, and geese. It is a lean meat that is low in fat and high in protein. Turkey is also a good source of vitamins B6 and B12, as well as minerals like zinc and potassium.