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Home ยป Christmas at A Labour of Life ยป How to Cook a Turkey for The Holidays

How to Cook a Turkey for The Holidays

11/08/16 | All Things Food Related, Christmas at A Labour of Life, Dinner Recipes, Main Course Recipes, Recipes from my Kitchen, Thanksgiving with A Labour of Life

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turkey how to cook

Last Updated on 2021-02-07 by Linda

 The art of discovery and learning how to cook a turkey is not a complicated task.  It requires a few simple steps and an attention to detail during the day. Need to know what temperature to cook a turkey?  How long to cook a turkey? I have got you covered.The key to a perfect Turkey dinner, it’s not just the brine, nor the stuffing but how you actually cook your bird.
 
Kent has perfected the perfect dinner and it includes the best turkey you can imagine. I may set an awesome table but he sets the tone and creates the perfect holiday with his dinner.

removing the stuffing from the turkey


Disclosure I added links to my favourite tools below, the syringe and the baster are must haves

How to Cook a Turkey

 The key is to cook a turkey for one half hour at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.  Turn down the oven to 350 and then baste every hour until complete.  Kent also started injecting the juice back into the bird after he finishes basting. The combination of the brine and the stuffing all help but the 450 for a half hour  seals all the juicy goodness inside.
(extra tip: when you boil your potatoes do not throw out the water, use it for your gravy, it’s perfect)
[click_to_tweet tweet=”and hey did you catch my secret gravy trick save your potato water, it creates perfect gravy” quote=”Hot Tip #1, the secret to perfect Gravy is in the Potato Water”]
turkey dinner on a plate

 

stuff the turkey

Temperature to cook a Turkey

Did ya catch the quick tip?  Start with the over at 450 degrees for one half hour.  Then  lower the temperature to 350 degrees.  repeat 450 and 350, easy peasy right?  Plus ever half hour, BASTE
Basting
basting the bird
 
 
syringe
basting the turkey 2
 
more syringe
 
more basting
 
 
and more basting
 
 
[click_to_tweet tweet=”Hot Tip for how long to roast your Turkey, about 15 minutes per pound #roastingaturkey #howtocookaturkey #turkey” quote=”Hot Tip for estimating how long to roast your turkey, estimate about 15 minutes per pound at a standard 350 degrees. “]

What to Serve with Turkey:

There is no end to the side dishes that can make this a complete meal. While I am normally a carrot and squash gal, lately Brussel Sprouts have caught my attention. And then Stuffing, Gravy and Cranberries make the meal complete. 
 

Recipe for Cooking a Turkey

cook a turkey

Cooking a Turkey

the secrets to a perfect turkey for your holiday dinner. You do not need to be the best chef in the world to cook the best turkey.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chritmas turkey, Cook a turkey, how to cook a turkey, roast turkey, Thanksgiving turkey
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours hours
Total Time: 4 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 189kcal
Author: lindaandkent1@gmail.com

Ingredients

  • 1 Turkey

Instructions

  • stuff the turkey (don't forget to remove the giblets inside
  • The key is to cook the turkey for one half hour at 450. 
  • Turn down the oven to 350 and then baste every hour until complete.
  •  Kent also started injecting the juice back into the bird after he finishes basting. 
Nutrition Facts
Cooking a Turkey
Amount Per Serving (8 Servings)
Calories 189
% Daily Value*
Saturated Fat 2.2g14%
Trans Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 109mg36%
Sodium 103mg4%
Protein 29g58%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Video

Notes

The combination of the brine and the stuffing all help but the 450 for a half hour then helps seal all the juicy goodness inside.

Nutrition

Serving: 8Servings | Calories: 189kcal | Protein: 29g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 103mg
Have you tried this recipe? I would love to see the resultsMention @alabouroflife or tag #alabouroffood!

My Tools for Roasting the Perfect Turkey

I have included my most favourite tools,  OK actually they are Kent’s fav tools as he is the Cook in our home.  I bake, he cooks.  I could not find my exact roaster but I have included two comparable ones for you. The syringe and baster are the exact ones I have in my kitchen. 

 

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Comments | 20 comments

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Comments

  1. Melanie Walsh says

    2018-09-26 at 2:21 pm

    I’m a vegetarian, and for years have escaped turkey duty. But I think my time is up. I think I may be able to handle this without ruining Thanksgiving! You’re a life saver.

    Reply
    • lindaandkent1@gmail.com says

      2018-10-11 at 2:32 pm

      May I offer apologies that I am so slack in commenting lately. Sometimes something has to give and lately its been commenting so I can at least keep visiting your blog. I will get better I promise. So did you make the turkey, did it turn out ok for you?

      Reply
  2. Wendy Polisi says

    2018-09-25 at 10:56 pm

    This was actually really helpful. I have been considering frying mine this year though.

    Reply
    • lindaandkent1@gmail.com says

      2018-10-11 at 2:33 pm

      let me know if you tired Kent’s tips. May I offer apologies that I am so slack in commenting lately. Sometimes something has to give and lately its been commenting so I can at least keep visiting your blog. I will get better I promise

      Reply
  3. Christa says

    2018-09-25 at 10:10 pm

    I love that we’re close enough to Thanksgiving that I’m starting to see turkey posts! This is a very informative post.

    Reply
    • lindaandkent1@gmail.com says

      2018-10-11 at 2:34 pm

      Thanks, I am sad that it’s all over but I need to stop eating so many yummy left overs now. May I offer apologies that I am so slack in commenting lately. Sometimes something has to give and lately its been commenting so I can at least keep visiting your blog. I will get better I promise

      Reply
  4. Bianca D says

    2018-09-25 at 11:00 am

    The turkey is definitely the center of the Thanksgiving feast. Thanks so much for the tips for how to make it so very delicious.

    Reply
    • lindaandkent1@gmail.com says

      2018-10-11 at 2:35 pm

      It always is so very tasty when cooked this way May I offer apologies that I am so slack in commenting lately. Sometimes something has to give and lately its been commenting so I can at least keep visiting your blog. I will get better I promise

      Reply
  5. Becca Wilson says

    2018-09-25 at 10:59 am

    I am not normally the one that is in charge of the bird but this is some really great advice on how to have it come out perfect. I need to pass it along!

    Reply
    • lindaandkent1@gmail.com says

      2018-10-11 at 2:35 pm

      it really does work I promise. May I offer apologies that I am so slack in commenting lately. Sometimes something has to give and lately its been commenting so I can at least keep visiting your blog. I will get better I promise

      Reply
  6. Farrah Less says

    2018-09-25 at 9:31 am

    Almost Turkey time I can’t wait for this fun holidays. Where family gathers together , sharing a good meal and having fun at the same time. I am sharing this recipe to my family and friends.

    Reply
    • lindaandkent1@gmail.com says

      2018-10-11 at 2:36 pm

      May I offer apologies that I am so slack in commenting lately. Sometimes something has to give and lately its been commenting so I can at least keep visiting your blog. I will get better I promise. I love Turkey time, sad that ours is over but the US one is coming up as is Christmas so yea for more turkey

      Reply
  7. shanelle says

    2018-09-24 at 10:49 pm

    This is such a tease, knowing that I still have 2 months to wait until Turkey Day! Your food looks DELISH!

    Reply
    • lindaandkent1@gmail.com says

      2018-10-11 at 2:37 pm

      May I offer apologies that I am so slack in commenting lately. Sometimes something has to give and lately its been commenting so I can at least keep visiting your blog. I will get better I promise. Our turkey was so very good. Hope you pinned this for November and December

      Reply
  8. Elizabeth Gilbert says

    2018-09-24 at 10:21 pm

    I love this!! Every year we dry out the turkey so this definitely will help us!!

    Reply
    • lindaandkent1@gmail.com says

      2018-10-11 at 2:37 pm

      It really works. Also try the brine too, makes it even better. May I offer apologies that I am so slack in commenting lately. Sometimes something has to give and lately its been commenting so I can at least keep visiting your blog. I will get better I promise

      Reply
  9. Kathryn at QuestFor47.com says

    2018-09-24 at 10:18 pm

    It’s that time, isn’t it? I’m so lucky that I don’t have to worry about cooking turkeys, but I know this recipe is going to help a LOT of people! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • lindaandkent1@gmail.com says

      2018-10-11 at 2:38 pm

      feel free to share with those who do the Turkey roasting though. Ours was delicious May I offer apologies that I am so slack in commenting lately. Sometimes something has to give and lately its been commenting so I can at least keep visiting your blog. I will get better I promise

      Reply
  10. Heather says

    2018-09-24 at 6:37 pm

    It’s hard to believe it’s even time to think about Thanksgiving, but it’s closer than I think! I’ve never been brave enough to try making the turkey, but maybe I’ll give it a go one of these years!

    Reply
  11. Tara Pittman says

    2018-09-24 at 2:58 pm

    It is almost turkey time. My husband is in charge of cooking the bird bird every year.

    Reply

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