Make easy Thanksgiving turkey ‘like a chef’ using this ‘secret’ cooking method

Making the perfect turkey is key to having an incredible Thanksgiving dinner, and there is a simple way to make your turkey beautifully golden and bursting with flavor. 

There is nothing better than a crispy turkey marinated to perfection, but it can be an intimidating task to cook a turkey no matter your cooking experience. 

Luckily, there is a very simple way to make the perfect turkey following the method first popularized by legendary chef Julia Child that has been passed down through generations, and one chef has demonstrated this Thanksgiving recipe. 

Snejana Andreevais, a professional cook and founder of recipe website The Modern Nonna, has explained a traditional way to make your turkey much juicier using what is called the ‘Cheesecloth method.’ 

In a video online, Snejana said: “Stop making mistakes and make a turkey like a chef. There is a secret to making the juiciest turkey.” 

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How to Prepare the perfect Thanksgiving Turkey

You will need: 

• One whole turkey (around 1.5kg)
• One orange 
• Unsalted butter
• Paprika 
• Salt
• Dry Oregano
• Garlic powder
• Either beer or white wine

Kitchen equipment: 

• Cooking string
• Roasting pan 
• Pot
• Cheesecloth

Instructions

To begin, make a seasoned butter. Leave the butter on the countertop overnight to soften. You can then mix in the seasonings of your choice, such as paprika, garlic powder, and dry oregano. 

Take your thawed turkey out of the fridge, pat it dry, and remove any giblets if there are any. Leave it on the countertop for one hour to let it rise to room temperature. 

Preheat your oven to 325F and place your turkey in a roasting dish. Message your turkey all over with the seasoned butter. Make sure to massage the butter on the top of the turkey and in the cavity. 

Once the turkey is buttered, add the whole orange to the cavity. Tuck the wings in so they don’t burn and then tie the legs using cooking string. 

Pour in three cups water and then one cup beet (or white wine) to the bottom of the roasting dish. 

Now, it is time to try out the secret to an amazing turkey, which is the cheesecloth method. In a pot, melt a stick of butter on the stove and add a little bit of beef or wine. 

Once the butter has completely melted, soak the cheesecloth in the pot. When it has fully soaked, place it on top of the turkey and make sure it completely covers it. 

Place your turkey in the preheated oven and make sure to baste it every 40 minutes. Take the cheesecloth off the turkey around 40 minutes before it is fully cooked to let the turkey go crispy. 

If you have a meat thermometer, you will know the turkey is ready when it is reading 180F in for the breasts of the turkey and then 170F for the turkey thighs. 

Once ready, take it out of the oven and let it rest for a minimum of 30 minutes, and then your perfect turkey is ready to serve.