The turkey is the most important part of Thanksgiving, and we are sharing the 5 BEST ways to cook the juiciest, full of flavor, and all-around perfect turkey. If you want to cook your turkey in an oven, a slow cooker, an Instant Pot, an air fryer, or even a convection oven, we have you covered!
While most people like to cook their turkey in the oven, we wanted to share with you our favorite ways to cook a turkey and have it turn out perfect every time.
The best way to cook a turkey is whatever way works best for you. If this is your first time cooking a turkey, you should review all the options to decide which way will be best for you. The easiest way to make the best turkey of the holiday season is to give yourself plenty of time to learn how to prepare the bird, and then give it enough time to properly cook. Whichever cooking method you choose, you will have the best turkey as long as you follow our step-by-step instructions.
Table of contents
Serving Sizes and Proportions
The size turkey breast will determine if you can feed a smaller crowd or a larger one. Make sure to decide how much turkey breast you will need ahead of time. If you are wondering how many people your turkey will feed, we recommend this method. A good rule of thumb is that whatever your turkey weighs, that’s how many peopke it will feed. Thus, an 8-pound turkey will feed 8 people. If you know you have small children, then you will be able to feed a bit more with your turkey. If you want leftovers, plan on 1 ½ pounds of turkey per person. This article from the HuffPost is also is a great resource and gives you an idea of how much to cook per person.
How to Thaw Turkey Safely
We have two methods for thawing frozen turkey. They include the following:
- The quickest way to thaw a whole turkey is in a bath of cold water. Thawing in cold water takes about 30 minutes per pound. However, every 30 minutes, you will need to replace the water with fresh water. We also add ice to the water to ensure it is very cold.
- Thawing your turkey in the fridge works as well (just slower, but less intensive). Set the turkey on a cookie sheet to catch any liquid that could come off the turkey when thawing. Thawing your turkey in the refrigerator takes about 1 day for every 5 pounds of turkey.
Oven Roasted Method
Our favorite way to cook a turkey is roasted in the oven.
Convection Oven Method
The difference between a regular (convention) oven and a convection oven is that the source of heat in a conventional oven is stationery and rises up from the bottom. The heat from a convection oven is blown by fans, so the air circulates all over the inside of the oven. In a convection oven, the heat is distributed evenly all around the food.
Air Fryer Method
Instant Pot Method
Cooking your turkey in an Instant Pot is similar to the slow cooker version. You will want to make sure that you use a smaller turkey roast or turkey breast. This method is ideal if you are feeding less than 8 people.
Slow Cooker Method
Using a slow cooker works well with a smaller turkey roast or turkey breast. If you need to feed 8 or less people, the slow cooker is ideal for you.
Ultimate Video Guide
Not sure where to start? Check out our video guide on all five methods of how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey.
How to Store Leftover Turkey
Leftover turkey should be cooled down as quickly as possible. The more surface area that is exposed to cold air, the faster your turkey will cool. A whole turkey in a large container will take too long to cool down to a safe temperature, which will give bacteria a chance to multiple.
- Reheating: Our favorite way to reheat leftover turkey is to warm it on a nonstick pen to give it some extra crispiness. You can also reheat in the oven at 350℉ for 12 to 15 minutes. When reheating in the microwave, heat for 1 to 2 minutes checking every 30 seconds. Try not to overheat your turkey, it can become dry and hard.
- In the Refrigerator: Place in an airtight container and place in the the refrigerator. Leftover turkey can store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
- In the Freezer: Once cooled, place your turkey flat in an airtight freezer bag. Label your bag with the date. Turkey stored in the freezer will last up 3 months. Thaw in a refrigerator, and use within 1 day of thawing.
Enjoy More Delicious Turkey Recipes
Whether you want to cook your turkey in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or traditional oven roasting, we have got you covered. Check out our comprehensive collection of turkey recipes here.
Questions & Reviews