FAQs
Our favorite way to season a turkey is through a dry brine. This simply involves rubbing a seasoning mix (like salt, pepper, dried herbs, and maybe spices) all over — and inside — the turkey well before you are going to roast it.
What adds flavor to turkey? ›
Never pass up the opportunity to add flavor to turkey by stuffing the cavity with a simple aromatics mix. Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all.
How do you get the best flavor out of a turkey? ›
Injecting with butter or apple juice will add flavor, moisture and help penetrate down into the meat, which will make the turkey more flavorful.
Should I put a stick of butter in my turkey? ›
Impart rich flavor and add moisture to your Thanksgiving turkey by adding a layer of butter under the skin before roasting. Learn how to do this simple (but genius) technique for a delicious Thanksgiving turkey. I'm Kelly Senyei with http://www.epicurious.com, and this is how to put butter under turkey skin.
What is best to put inside a turkey for flavor? ›
Add halved onions, carrot chunks, celery and fresh herbs to the cavity of your turkey, inserting them loosely. These flavor builders are the base of stock and most soups. As your turkey cooks, they'll steam and infuse your bird with moisture and flavor.
Do you oil a turkey before seasoning? ›
In the bottom of a large roasting pan, add any aromatics or vegetables you desire and liquid to a depth of ½ inch. Brush the turkey skin generously with oil or melted butter. Season the turkey liberally with salt. (Skip salting if your turkey is brined.)
What do you use to inject flavor into a turkey? ›
What to Inject a Turkey With
- Basic Brine. Liquid: Chicken stock. ...
- Butter & Beer. Liquid: butter + beer. ...
- Herby Turkey. Liquid: butter + chicken stock. ...
- Italian. Liquid: chicken stock + olive oil + red wine vinegar. ...
- Spicy & Smoky. Liquid: butter +white wine + chicken stock + orange juice. ...
- Brown Sugar & Mustard.
How do I keep my turkey juicy? ›
The simple secret to a truly juicy roast turkey is to season the turkey with a rub a couple of days before roasting. This is called dry brining and it makes the flesh beautifully moist, and you can even do it while the turkey is still FROZEN!
Why do you put baking soda on turkey? ›
Using an overnight dry brine and pairing it with ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda—applied directly to the turkey before roasting—is a good way to tenderize your turkey and create a crispy, brown exterior.
Should I rub butter or oil on my turkey? ›
Because turkey breast is especially lean, I like to rub softened fat beneath the skin just before roasting. It melts and gives the meat extra flavor, richness, and moisture. Duck fat is wonderful for this, and it fortifies the poultry flavors, but unsalted butter works well, too.
Ready Your Turkey for the Fridge
You don't want the meat to dry out while it sits overnight, so you will need to cover it with a liquid. Spoon some chicken broth or the drippings from the roasting pan (and the cutting board) over the turkey so it stays moist. Cover snugly and refrigerate overnight.
When should I inject butter into my turkey? ›
You should plan on using this injection marinade several hours before you start cooking. If you have the time, inject the bird the night before roasting. While you can brine your turkey, that process mostly adds salt rather than additional flavors—plus it also takes more time.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey? ›
"Often, consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey."
Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil? ›
To achieve a perfectly golden, juicy turkey, let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered in the oven. We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out; then, during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, remove the cover so the skin crisps in the hot oven.
What spices is turkey known for? ›
The Most Popular Spices in Turkey
- Red Pepper Flakes (Kirmizi Biber)
- Turkish Bay Leaves (Defne)
- Wild Thyme (Kekik)
- Sumac (Sumak)
- Za'atar (Zaatar)
- Saffron (Safran)
- Allspice (Yenibahar)
- Cumin (Kimyon)