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Keep Your Bird Juicy: 5 Tips From the Pros - What's your tried and true trick for keeping the bird nice and moist?

Posted by on Nov. 15, 2012 at 2:03 PM
  • 4 Replies

Keep Your Bird Juicy: 5 Tips From the Pros

Posted by Jeanne Sager on November 15, 2012 

Thanksgiving turkeySo you got stuck making the turkey this Thanksgiving huh? I don't know about you, but the threat of having to make the bird always makes me think of that awful dried out carcass from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Remember how it just cracked open, and everyone stared? Don't let that be you! A juicy turkey is easier than you think.

And you don't have to trust me (why would you; I'm a vegetarian!). I always turn to the pros when I'm on holiday dinner duty. Here's what the experts have to say about keeping the bird nice and moist!

Gordon Ramsay -- The Hell's Kitchen chef doesn't require a single f-word to get his bird to stay moist. He simply takes it from the oven when it's done, then creates a tent of tin foil over the turkey and lets it sit for about half an hour. This allows the juices to redistribute themselves throughout the bird.

Paula Deen
-- There's no sticking the bird in the oven and heading off to watch the parade in Paula's kitchen. She suggests drizzling the turkey in its own juices, get this, once every 30 minutes!

Tyler Florence -- You can tell this chef has young kids at home. He speeds up the whole Thanksgiving cooking process by cutting the turkey in half! It cooks in half the time, and Florence says it won't destroy the "texture" of the bird ... so it's a whole lot juicier.

Ree Drummond -- The Pioneer Woman is all about the brine before you roast your bird, which she says guarantees a "juicy, fantastic turkey" every time. You can buy a pre-made brine or mix up her recipe!

Ina Garten
-- If you've never seen a stick of butter you didn't want to cook with, you'll love Ina's trick for a juicy bird. She uses slices of an herbed butter stuck beneath the skin to keep the meat moist.

What's your tried and true trick for keeping the bird nice and moist? Will you be trying one of the pros' tips this year?

Posted by on Nov. 15, 2012 at 2:03 PM
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Cafe Steph
by Head Admin on Nov. 15, 2012 at 2:04 PM

I personally rub it down with butter and seasonings and put it in my covered roaster with a little bit of water in the bottom of the pan to braise. Then, I baste the turkey every 30 minutes until it's done. I'm famous for my bird around here now. ;) 

Elyssa414
by Bronze Member on Nov. 15, 2012 at 3:06 PM
My vegan field roast stays pretty moist on its own! ;)
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SeabeeWifey
by New Member on Nov. 15, 2012 at 3:46 PM
I brine for 24hours in just salt water! For frying AND baking, turns out moist every time! Gonna try some other spices this year while brining!
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Bmat
by Barb on Nov. 15, 2012 at 4:14 PM

My mom put the turkey in the oven, covered it with a cotton dish towel, and basted with its juices about once an hour.

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