‘Tis the season for holiday dinners! This is my go to recipe with tips on how to roast a turkey. Food brings my family together. I’m sure I’m not alone in that! The star of each holiday meal is the Turkey. So let’s talk about roasting a turkey. It’s not as hard as you think, but it does take some organized prep.
Here’s how to prepare for roasting a turkey:
- When is your turkey dinner? ok… now keep in mind that date and work backwards with the following steps.
- How many people will you be feeding? Typically, you’ll want to estimate approximately 1-2 pounds per person. If you’re feeding 8 people, get a 10-12 pound turkey.
- Thawing a frozen turkey. I usually thaw my turkey in the fridge. It’s the slowest way, but I feel it’s the safest. You can also thaw it in a large cooler of cold water and leave the cooler on your patio if you need the fridge space. It takes approx. 24 hours (1 day) per 5 lb. So if you bought at 10 lb turkey, that’s 2 days to thaw it.
- Prep it. There are a couple ways to prep your turkey. You can brine it. Brining it gives the turkey extra moisture and flavour. JD Farms partnered with Well Seasoned and provides brining kits and at their store in Langley. Brining instructions are on the label of their kits but count it as an extra 12-24 hours. If you’re not planning on brining your turkey you can wash, pat dry and season your turkey with whatever you fancy! I usually do butter, salt and pepper.
- ROAST. Finally! You can now roast your turkey. Roast it in a large roasting pan. The higher the temp, the faster but drier your turkey will be. I usually roast at 325 degrees. This site has a good chart: https://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t–644/roasting-a-turkey-turkey-cooking-times.asp
See more tips in my “Cooking For A Party” post
I’ve partnered with JD Farms in Langley this Thanksgiving! Their Bistro & Store at the Farm has everything you need to make a beautiful and delicious Turkey Dinner for your family.
Why choose a turkey from JD Farms?
- Non-GMO Grain fed
- No animal by-products
- Antibiotic free
- Exceptional flavour
- Stringent certification program
- Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.)
And they’re LOCAL! They’re family owned and operated, right here in Langley, BC (24726 52 Ave, Langley, BC). Pop by their Bistro & Store for lunch, pick up your frozen turkey, some turkey pepperoni, frozen soups and a pie from Krause Berry Farm (which is right down the road from them).
Amanda is a writer, photographer, videographer and a content creator with a passion for sharing stories. With her family of 5, they share experiences, tips and ideas that empower Moms to make memories with their families right here in British Columbia.
