How to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey

Cooking a turkey is tricky at best, so take heed, and arm yourself with these great turkey hacks:.For a scaled-down turkey feast, you can always take the turkey-breast route instead of buying a whole bird.If you're thawing the turkey in a refrigerator, count on 24 hours for every five pounds of turkey.If you want to ensure that your roast turkey turns out juicy and flavorful, you most definitely want to brine your bird.To help make a great gravy from the pan drippings, scatter plenty of vegetables and herbs in the pan.You'll want to cook your turkey until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165F to 170F.Be sure to use a good-quality instant-read thermometer, and take several readings of both thighs.Let the turkey rest for 45 minutes to allow for carryover cooking and to help the juices redistribute