All kinds of helpful turkey tips…right at your fingertips. You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!
Turkey Prep Steps
Cooking a turkey is a breeze with the right know-how. Browse our steps to cook yours just right.
Help Along the Way
Shopping
All Kinds of Turkey
No matter the size of your celebration, we have the right turkey to make it tasty. From small to large, find the one for you!
Sides & More
Explore our full collection of Butterball recipes here to round out your shopping list!
Recommended Turkey Per Person
Plan for leftovers!
Don’t be nervous about having leftovers! Leftover turkey turns one meal into many! From sandwiches to soups and casseroles, the possibilities are endless and delicious.
Want to Be More Precise?
Use our Portion Calculator
Planning Your Grocery Trip?
Plan ahead for a fast and easy trip. This sample grocery list gives you a Thanksgiving meal with some of our favorite, easy recipes. Take a peek here.
Thawing
Thaw Time Guide*
- WeightIn FridgeIn Water**
- 12 lbs.3 days6 hours
- 14 lbs.3 1/2 days7 hours
- 16 lbs.4 days8 hours
- 18 lbs.4 1/2 days9 hours
- 20 lbs.5 days10 hours
- 24 lbs.6 days12 hours
*Refrigerator thawing is preferred. Never thaw a turkey at room temperature.
**Thawing completely submerged in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes.
Prepping
QUICK METHOD
Oil & Salt Rub
Quick and easy, just rub your turkey with oil and salt. Incorporate spices like paprika and make it your own.
Total time
ADVANCED METHOD
Thanksgiving Brine
Salt, water, and time is all it takes to keep maximum moisture in your turkey.
Total time
Tip
After brining, pat your turkey dry to help the skin crisp as it cooks.
Cooking
CLASSIC METHOD
Oven Roasting
Roasting a turkey may seem difficult, but we’re here to make it easy. How? Simply explore the turnkey turkey tool below.
Oven Temp.
How Long to Cook?
You will need:
--
hours
Roasting time is based on the open pan roasting method at 325°F for thawed and fresh turkeys only.
See all Calculators and Conversions
Other Methods
The oven isn’t the only place to cook an irresistibly tender and juicy turkey.
Tip
Don't forget the foil tent when you're 2/3 of the way through cooking to prevent dryness.
Doneness
Let it Rest
Once your turkey is cooked, let it rest before carving. This helps the turkey reabsorb its juices.
Rest Time
Tip
Start checking the temperature at the halfway point, then check more frequently as it gets closer to done.
Carving
Separate the drumsticks by cutting between the breast and drumstick on each side of your turkey. Cut into the breast from either side.
Then, carve the breast in slow, long slices. Repeat on the opposite side. Remove the drumstick and thigh and separate the two on both sides.
From there, remove the wing on each side. Then, carve out a moment to marvel at your masterpiece. Now, dig in!
Thanksgiving Leftovers
The only thing that comes close to the deliciousness of a Thanksgiving meal is…you guessed it…Thanksgiving leftovers!
A Year of Giving
To help alleviate some of this year’s challenges, Butterball is proud to have donated turkey to provide more than one million meals toward pandemic relief through partnerships with Feeding America and Operation BBQ Relief. Additionally, we are donating turkey to provide more than 100,000 Thanksgiving servings through independent hunger relief initiatives.
