trussing a turkey
Trussing a Turkey
In order to make a perfectly roasted turkey, you need to truss it before cooking. This article will give you easy methods on trussing and roasting a turkey.
As a kid, you must have seen your mom tying the legs and wings of a turkey before roasting it. This very process is known as trussing. However, if you are a novice at cooking a large bird yourself, at home, you might be looking for an easy method to do it.
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A turkey is trussed with a thread which should be removed after roasting.
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The following is an easy method on roasting a turkey at home.
➡ Ingredients
What is Trussing
Trussing is a common practice, and those following it, swear by it. It helps in preventing the wings and legs of the birds from burning. At the same time, tying the bird firmly also helps in keeping the stuffing at place. However, some chefs are against it. According to them, when a turkey is trussed, it takes a longer time to cook, and there are also chances of the tied part remaining uncooked. However, trussing is an easy, simple, and effective method for roasting the bird perfectly.
How to Truss a Turkey
- You will require an 8 inch trussing needle and an 24 inch piece of cotton twine. Place the bird such that the breast side is facing upwards.
- Sew in such a way that the tail of the turkey is tucked up and under, and then closed. This will help in sewing the cavity of the stuffed turkey.
- Now, thread the needle with an 48 inch twine. You need to take a longer thread so that it can be tied off in the end. Push this thread through the lower thigh and bring it out from the other side.
- Now, turn the bird over and insert the needle through one wing, and neck, and take it out from the opposite wing.
- Next, the center of the leg should be trussed to the opposite thigh.
- Put the thread through the thigh and under the breast. Take it out from the point where you had started.
- Lastly, pull the two loose ends and tie firmly. Check if the legs and the wings of the bird are tied properly.
How to Roast a Turkey
- 12-14lb. of turkey
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Your favorite stuffing
- The oven should be preheated to 325 degrees F
- Wash the turkey inside out. Next, stuff it with your favorite stuffing.
- Truss the turkey using the aforementioned method.
- Rub olive oil on the outer side of the turkey and sprinkle salt and pepper over it to taste.
- Place the turkey on the roasting rack in the oven and roast for 3 hours.
- After the prescribed time, you can insert the thermometer in the thigh of the turkey. If it shows 175-180 degrees F temperature, the turkey is fully roasted.
- Take it out, remove the thread used for trussing, and serve.