Thanksgiving is the most popular time of the year to purchase turkeys for roasting. Choose between a fresh or frozen turkey for roasting. Other things to consider are the type of bird and whether additives have been used. A proper pan, steady oven and marinades can produce a delicious, golden turkey. Read on to learn buy roasting turkeys.
Instructions
1. Determine what size turkey is needed to produce enough servings for each person. A general rule is 1 lb. per person. Turkeys usually range from 6 lbs. to 20 lbs., although larger birds may be found.
2. Determine whether the turkey should be fresh or frozen. USDA guidelines allow even fresh turkeys to be previously frozen. Fresh turkeys should be cooked within two days after the "Sell by" date stamped on it.
3. Determine what type of turkey should be purchased. Turkeys labled "Young Turkey" are generally the best for roasting. Heritage turkeys are a line of turkey stock dating back generations. Free range turkeys are supposed to be turkeys that have room to roam in their setting, but this may not always be true. Organic turkeys are labeled "Certified Organic." Wild Turkey has a gamy taste and can be quite expensive.
4. Choose a turkey that is free of artificial flavoring injected into the bird if marinating is desired. Create a brine or marinade that can cover the entire turkey and soak it overnight in the refrigerator.
5. Defrost a frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Twenty-four hours is needed to defrost each 5 lbs. of turkey. A 20 lb. turkey would need four days to defrost.
6. Try this simple method for roasting turkey: Smear butter over the turkey breasts and place in pan breast side up. Cover loosely with foil, and place in a 350 degree F oven. Roast for 90 minutes for a small-to-medium sized bird. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees and remove foil. Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F.
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