How To Carve A Turkey
Learning how to carve a turkey can be intimidating, but with the proper technique, you'll be able to do it like a pro in no time! This is an easy (and clean) step-by-step method of carving turkey that won't leave you floundering on Thanksgiving in front of your friends and family.
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Carving A Turkey
Whenever I think of Thanksgiving, one of the first things that comes to mind is food!
Many people live for the medley of homemade side dishes like creamy potato gratin and Brussel sprouts salad with kale and apples. Even desserts such as a classic apple pie are a must.
Of course, the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving meal is usually a big roasted turkey.
If you're like me, you want to serve something that looks as good as it tastes. I know from experience that carving a turkey can feel intimidating, especially if everyone is watching you do it.
But don't worry - I'm here to help!
One of the first techniques I ever learned as a chef was how to carve a variety of meats, including a cooked turkey. As a trained professional chef, that has come in very handy around the holidays. Not only does carving a turkey properly have visual appeal, but the way you carve your cooked turkey can affect the taste and texture too.
It will come as no surprise that chefs have a few tricks up their sleeves to make the entire process easier and mess-free.
I'm going to share my tried-and-true method for carving a turkey like a pro!
If you need Thanksgiving recipes, try my homemade creamed corn, Italian ricotta pie, or turkey gravy.
Why This is the Best Way to Carve a Turkey
- Easy enough to keep turkey carving simple and quick.
- No meat left behind! Doesn't leave any wasted meat on the turkey bones.
- End up with juicier slices of turkey meat.
- Carving is easily adjustable depending on the size and shape of your turkey.
- Results in beautiful slices when served at the table.
How to carve a turkey
First things first: make sure you have allowed your turkey to rest for a minimum 20 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This will allow for juicier meat, which is always a win!
- Once it's time to carve, carefully remove the turkey legs and thighs by slicing the connecting skin between the leg and breast. Gently pull it away from the breast and cut close to the body with your knife.
Pro Tip: Remove the twine from the turkey with the tip of your knife or kitchen shears.
Repeat on the other side and cover with foil to keep them warm on the platter.
- Next, remove the wings by pulling and cutting them at the joints. If they pull off without the drumettes, that's ok.
Pull the drumettes away from the body, slice through the joints, and use the knife to remove the meat from the bone. Transfer the drumettes and wings to the serving platter.
- Locate the breast bone on the top of the turkey using your fingers. Using the carving fork to hold the turkey in place, carefully slice down one side of the breast bone, following its curve, to remove the breast.
Pull the breast outward as you slice, using your hand to assist. Slice horizontally on the bottom if needed to completely remove the breast.
Pro Tip: Carve the turkey breasts last to keep the breast meat from becoming dry and cold.
Once you have carved the turkey breasts, remove the carcass from the cutting board and wipe down the board with a wet rag or clean paper towel.
Repeat the process on the other side, then use the knife to carve any remaining meat left on the breast bone. Plate the breast meat and cover with foil to keep it warm.
- Take each leg and turn them skin-side-down on the cutting board. Locate the separation from the thigh and gently wiggle the knife into the joint while pulling the drumstick apart. Slice through the meat to separate it completely.
Cut or pull the meat from the thigh bone and transfer it to the platter with the drumstick. Repeat with the other leg.
When you are ready to serve, place the breasts skin-side up on the cutting board. Slice the breasts crosswise and against the grain into ¼-1/2-inch-thick slices, keeping the skin attached whenever possible.
Transfer the sliced breast to the serving platter, garnish with herbs like rosemary and a few slices of lemon, and serve immediately while it's still warm!
Pro Tip: Use leftover turkey to make these turkey pot pies filled with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and butternut squash! Or make it into crispy carnitas tacos!
Turkey Carving Tips
- Let the whole turkey rest for a minimum of 20 minutes once removed from the oven to allow the bird to remain juicy.
- Use a carving knife or large serving fork to hold the turkey in place so you don't burn your hands!
- If your turkey slices don't look as pretty as you hoped, don't worry - just pile the slices together and add a few garnishes (herbs, citruses, seasonal fruits) to cover it up.
- Consider using a pair of food-safe gloves to protect your hands and keep them clean.
- Save the turkey carcass for turkey stock or soups like Italian Wedding Soup! If you're short on time, pop it into the freezer to use later.
How to Cut a Turkey FAQs
A sharp carving knife or chef's knife is the most ideal knife for carving a turkey. The best size for a knife is between 8-10 inches. Using an electric knife in the tougher areas is also a great option!
You should wait to carve the turkey until it has rested for at least 20 minutes after being removed from the oven. This will let the juices redistribute and make carving much easier.
You should carve turkey while it is still warm from the oven. Just allow it to rest to give it some time to cool down a little. Carving a cold turkey will be more difficult.
Identifying the grain in meat is crucial for ensuring optimal tenderness when carving. The grain refers to the direction in which the muscle fibers align in the meat.
To find the grain: look closely at the surface of the meat, and you'll notice lines or striations that run in one direction. These lines are the muscle fibers, and the direction they're running is what's referred to as the grain.
You should always slice turkey against the grain, as this will make the slices more tender and easier to chew.
A spatchcock turkey is a technique where the backbone and breastbone are removed from the turkey so that it lays flat on the cutting board.
To carve a spatchcock turkey, start by removing the legs and wings just like you would with a regular bird. Next, cut along either side of the spine until it has been completely removed.
Flip the bird over and press down firmly on both sides of the breastbone until it cracks. Once it has cracked, remove the bone from the meat by slicing it with a knife.
Slice each side into desired portions and serve!
First, warm your platter before adding the turkey to help it stay warm longer, then right before serving pour a little bit of boiling stock over top to warm it up and keep it moist.
Keep sliced turkey warm longer, place it in a shallow dish with a little hot stock or pan drippings. Cover it and hold in a low oven at about 200°F. If the oven is packed, use a slow cooker on warm with a splash of stock.
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