It may be hard to believe, but the big day is quickly approaching. It’s time to start thinking stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, pie, cranberry sauce, corn, and let’s not forget the centerpiece of the meal: turkey!
The Thanksgiving bird can be a point of stress for a lot of people. Is it best to stuff the bird or cook the stuffing separately? Should it be prepared in the oven or deep-fried? How long does it need to cook? How long can I keep my turkey in the refrigerator before cooking it?
Well, I don’t know if we have all of the answers for you, but last week we shared some important things to remember when cooking your holiday turkey. This week, we’re coming at you with some advice from our New Castle poultry manager, Alejandro.
While everyone has their own family traditions and preferences when it comes to the holiday bird, our poultry manager, Alejandro, was willing to share some of his own personal advice. He had recommendations related to stuffing, moisture, and basting.
Stuffing
Alejandro recommends preparing the stuffing separately from the bird. When the stuffing is cooked in the cavity of the turkey, this tends to block the heat from properly circulating, which can lead to undercooked meat and soggy stuffing.
Moisture
Secondly, moisture is key! According to Alejandro, it is absolutely necessary to have some type of liquid in the bottom of the roasting pan, such as broth, or even water. This will keep the meat from getting dry and give you a moist, delicious turkey.
Basting
Lastly, Alejandro recommends regular basting throughout the cooking process. The baste can be pan drippings, melted butter, oils, gravy, or any kind of broth. The idea is to spoon or brush the liquid onto the surface of the turkey at least once an hour during cooking. This is another method that will lead to a moist turkey.
We hope you find some of these tips to be helpful to you as you prepare your Thanksgiving meal this year. We’re curious: does your family have any traditions when it comes to preparing the turkey or unique dishes that are a must at your gathering? We would love to hear your special family traditions!
No matter what method you use to cook your turkey, we are wishing you a happy and safe Thanksgiving from all of us at Stoltzfus Meats!