How do I cook a pasture raised turkey?

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! We hope you have a wonderful holiday, filled with good food and good friends. Here are a few tips for cooking your turkey to perfection!

Thanksgiving Turkey Tips

1. Thaw in a refrigerator in a wide pan.

2. Plan 4 – 5 days for a 20 pound bird to defrost completely.

3. Consider brining your turkey, if you're concerned about overcooking and drying it out.

4. If you’re planning to roast your unstuffed pasture-raised bird, plan about 8 -10 minutes for each pound (because our birds are not injected with water, they don't take as long to cook as store-bought birds).

5. Roast at about 350 degrees F - For a crispy skin, start cooking at 425 degrees for 30 minutes, then lower to 350 for the remaining time.

6. Remove from oven when the turkey temperature is 165 degrees F.

7. Test the temperature at the thigh, where the thickest portion of meat is.

8. Tent the bird under foil for about 20 minutes after it’s removed from oven.

9. Save turkey drippings for the best gravy!

10. Save the bones for homemade broth!

Have some helpful hints of your own you'd like to share? Comment below! Thanks :)

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PS: The turkey tends to steal the show at Thanksgiving, but it wouldn't be the full traditional meal if there weren't stuffing, pumpkin pie, and greens with bacon in the feast, too! Double check the list below - have you got everything you and your family need?