How To Cook A Thanksgiving Turkey

If you've been picked to cook for the holidays and you've never done it before, you can learn how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey and get up to speed quickly. Cooking a turkey looks more intimidating than it is difficult to accomplish Once you know how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey, the rest of your dinner will come easily.

You'll need the following:

• Large roasting pan
• Meat thermometer
• Apples
• Onions
• Celery
• Butter
• Tin foil

1. Thaw out your Thanksgiving turkey in advance. Be sure to place your frozen turkey into the refrigerator at least three days before Thanksgiving day. The formula for safe thawing is to keep the turkey in the refrigerator for one day per every four pounds. It is unwise to let it sit at room temperature to thaw because this will allow dangerous bacteria to thrive in the meat and poison your food with toxins.

2. Prepare the turkey. Pre-heat your oven to 325 degrees. Take the clamps off the legs and put them aside. Remove the packaged gizzards, but don't throw them away. Rinse the turkey completely, inside and out, and stuff its cavity with apples, onions and celery sticks. Place an ample amount of butter under the skin and partially melt some butter on top as well. Bind the turkey's legs again with the clamps and place the turkey on the large roasting pan and cover it with tin foil.

3. Cook your turkey thoroughly. It will take about twelve to fifteen minutes per pound of turkey to properly cook your bird. Be sure to baste your turkey once an hour after two hours have passed to enhance its flavor.

Warnings:

• Make sure your turkey's internal temperature is 165 degrees for the breast meat and 170 to 180 degrees for the dark meat.

• Keep your turkey and the turkey work area separate from other foods to prevent food borne illnesses.