How To Cook Turkey: Check Out The Different Ways

Do you know how to cook turkey? Preparing and cooking a turkey can be a dreadful and challenging task for many people. Once you try to learn the process, though, it doesn’t seem that difficult. Before you know it, you will be cooking turkeys left and right.

How to Cook Turkey Using Different Ways

Turkey is a staple dish around the holiday season, especially during Thanksgiving. As with other kinds of meats, you can cook turkey in several ways. The traditional route is to cook it in the oven. Other methods include using an instant pot, an air fryer, and a slow cooker.

Traditional Roast Turkey

Ingredients:

• 1 fresh turkey (10 to 12 pounds)
• 1 whole lemon, halved
• 1/4 lb (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 Spanish onion, quartered
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• Kosher salt
• 1 head garlic, halved crosswise
• 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large bunch fresh thyme

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of thyme leaves to the melted butter. Set aside.
3. Prep the turkey by removing the giblets, washing the inside and outside, and patting it dry. Trim any excess fat and lingering pinfeathers.
4. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan. Season the inside of the turkey cavity generously with salt and pepper. Fill the cavity with thyme, lemon, onion, and garlic. Brush the surface of the turkey with the butter mixture and season with salt and pepper. String the legs together and insert the wing tips under the turkey.
5. Roast the turkey for about 2 1/2 hours or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board, cover it with aluminum foil, and let it rest for 20 minutes.
6. Carve the turkey and serve.

How to Cook Turkey in a Slow Cooker

You will use a smaller-sized turkey or just the turkey breast to cook a turkey in a slow cooker. As such, it’s not the best method if you cook for a party of more than 8 people.

Here’s how to cook turkey in a slow cooker:

1. Prepare the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray and place the turkey inside.
2. Combine water and your seasonings in a small bowl, then evenly spread this mixture over the turkey.
3. Cook on low for 8-9 hours or until the turkey is tender and the seasonings have infused the meat.
4. Check the turkey’s doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, ensuring it registers at least 165°F.
5. When ready to serve, remove the turkey from the slow cooker and slice it.

How to Cook Turkey in an Instant Pot

Like a slow cooker, an instant pot is significantly smaller than an oven. As such, you must use a smaller-sized turkey or just a turkey breast.

Here’s how to cook turkey in an instant pot:

1. Begin by drizzling olive oil all over the turkey breast and thoroughly massage it.
2. Rub your choice of seasonings, ensuring they cover the entire turkey breast evenly.
3. Place the trivet (the wire rack) with handles up in the bottom of the pot. Add 1/2 cup of water into the pot.
4. Set up the instant pot by carefully placing the seasoned turkey breast onto the trivet. Place the lid securely, ensuring it’s tightly closed to activate the instant pot.
5. Press the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button and set the timer to 25 minutes.
6. After the 25-minute cycle, wait another 10-15 minutes for the instant pot to finish the release (the pressure pin will drop).
7. Carefully unlock and remove the lid.
8. Lift the trivet out of the instant pot using the handles and transfer the turkey breast to a cutting board. Cover the entire turkey with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.

How to Cook Turkey in an Air Fryer

Again, an air fryer is very small compared to a traditional oven, so you should use small turkey breasts for this.

Here’s how to cook a turkey in an air fryer:

1. Generously season the turkey breast with salt and pepper, then apply a thorough rub of fresh herbs and your choice of seasonings.
2. Place the seasoned turkey breast in the air fryer and cook at 390ºF for 30 to 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF.
3. Whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and melted butter in a small bowl.
4. Once the turkey is done in the air fryer, remove it and brush the maple syrup mixture all over. Return the turkey to the air fryer and cook at 330ºF until it’s caramelized, usually about 2 minutes.
5. Allow the turkey to rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

How Long Do I Cook My Turkey?

A lot of people don’t know how long to cook a turkey. The cooking duration, though, will depend on the weight or size of the turkey you’re using. It will also depend on the temperature you set your oven to.

To know how long it takes to cook turkey, here are the cooking times based on an oven set to 350°F:

• 10 to 12 lbs – 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours
• 12 to 14 lbs – 2 3/4 to 3 hours
• 15 to 18 lbs – 3 1/4 to 4 hours
• 18 to 20 lbs – 4 to 4 1/4 hours
• 20 to 22 lbs – 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
• 23 to 24 lbs – 5 to 5 1/4 hours

How Do You Prepare a Turkey?

To prepare a turkey, you will first need to thaw it. The fastest way to thaw a turkey is to place it in cold water. This will take about 30 minutes per pound of turkey. You will also need to replace the cold water bath every 30 minutes.

Alternatively, you can thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. The thawing time is 1 day for every 5 pounds, much slower than the cold water bath method. Place your turkey in the fridge when thawing it on a cookie sheet to catch any liquid.

After thawing your turkey, it’s time to remove it from its packaging. Then, remove the giblet packets that come with the turkey. Finally, take some paper towels and pat your turkey until it’s bone dry.

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t rinse or wash your turkey. This will increase the risk of contamination. Any bacteria in or on the turkey will die during cooking.

Now You Know How to Cook Turkey

When prepared properly, turkey can be a delicious and healthy meal. Many people get turned off by the cooking time and process, but it is well worth the effort in the end. Besides, once you understand how to cook turkey, it won’t seem that hard anymore.

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