The word "turkey" usually conjures up images of holiday feasts and extravagant meals, but that's not the only way to use the bird. It's also a versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of dishes. Some cook...
An oven-barbecued turkey relieves you of the variables of grill cooking while preserving the slow-cooked, smoky taste. Step away from ordinary roasting and bump up the flavor of turkey by steeping it in brine and then applying ...
Brining a turkey before cooking it takes extra time, but it pays off in juiciness and flavor. Turkey tends to dry out in an oven or roaster, and even basting it while cooking moistens the outer surfaces more than the inner port...
Both turkey and beef make an equally impressive roast, burger, meatball or meatloaf. While turkey is usually the centerpiece of holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, beef can be a favorite for special or everyday occasions....
Whether a staple of your holiday dinners or in your home enjoyed year-round, turkey can contribute to a healthy and balanced diet. Turkey meat provides a source of nutritious protein without large amounts of saturated fat and c...
Turkey bacon is an alternative to traditional bacon and is often lower in fat and calories, making it a healthier way to enjoy a favorite without derailing your health goals. It contains a variety of nutrients, such as phosphor...
Fried turkey legs are a staple of carnivals and state fairs around the United States. If you enjoy the flavor of fresh, fried turkey, you don't have to wait for the carnival to come to town. You can enjoy a crispy fried turkey ...
Brining your turkey requires soaking it overnight in a salt-water solution prior to cooking, and ensures a flavorful, tender and juicy bird. The salt relaxes the proteins in the meat, allowing the turkey to absorb some the brin...
Turkey contains significant levels of protein, zinc and vitamins B-3 and B-6. If prepared correctly, turkey is juicy and flavorful. However, the meat often dries out when reheated, making it chalky and difficult to chew. You ca...
As diners become more aware of the importance of choosing lean proteins, turkey's place on the table has become more prominent. You can eat Butterball's range of turkey-based sausages for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Different s...
The gizzards, heart and liver in a turkey -- also referred to as the giblets or giblet pouch -- cook faster when you cut them first. Cook the giblets thoroughly before adding them to another dish. This verifies the organs cook ...
You may have noticed feeling tired after a turkey meal, sometimes during a holiday or banquet, and heard that a substance in turkey makes you drowsy. That substance is an amino acid called tryptophan, which manufactures a neuro...
Don't panic if you forgot to thaw the turkey. You can slow roast it frozen instead. Slow roasting is different than roasting because it is done at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. By cooking at a lower temperatu...
Turkey bacon is a healthier form of bacon, generally made from different parts of the turkey, compressed into a large piece resembling pork belly and then thinly sliced with a meat slicer. Most commercial turkey bacon already h...
Turkey is the center of the traditional American Thanksgiving meal, but its appeal stretches far beyond the holiday. Ground turkey often substitutes for beef in hamburgers, and turkey breast is one of the most popular sandwich ...
You've used a traditional recipe for cooking holiday turkeys, but now it's time to try something new. One technique is using a marinade injector to inject the flavorings directly into the middle of the meat. The injector and sy...
De-boning a raw turkey is a daunting prospect for many home chefs, and while it can be somewhat complicated at first, the process becomes easier with practice. De-boning a turkey before you cook it allows you to add more stuffi...
You were planning to have a turkey dinner but you forgot to take the turkey out of the freezer to defrost before cooking. Instead of changing your meal plans, use the frozen turkey but change the approach to your cooking method...
A big roasted turkey is a meal for special occasions. As such, its easy to be out of practice when it comes to slicing or carving one. Thin, wide slices of turkey are ideal because they allow for easy portion control and proper...
Deep-fried turkey is a savory delicacy that many families enjoy at Thanksgiving. If you would prefer not to go through the mess and hassle of deep frying an entire turkey, you can fry smaller portions of turkey inside your home...
If you cook a turkey for too long, the meat's natural juices will burn away and it will become dry. Dry turkey has a dull flavor and is difficult to chew and swallow. Rather than smothering dry turkey with too much gravy, you c...
Cooks no longer must dress their own turkeys -- cleaned, dressed and flash-frozen birds fill cases for the holidays. Whole birds and their parts are also available year-round. The most recent turkey-processing innovation is the...
No matter if you are cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving or just as an everyday meal, the must-have side for that bird is cornbread dressing. Made with crumbled cornbread, broth and seasonings, this savory dish compliments a mois...
Thanksgiving and the holiday season yield economical deals on turkeys, so it's tempting to purchase more than your family can eat. While a frozen turkey is safe in the freezer for up to 12 months, according to the United States...
Turkey can become contaminated with various food-borne pathogens. Among the most common are campylobacter, salmonella, Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli, or E. coli. Any one of these pathogens could spread throughout...
Brining a turkey means soaking the raw turkey in brine before roasting it. Brine is a mixture of salt and water, but some people also add a sweetener -- for example, sugar, molasses or maple syrup -- or herbs and spices. The sa...
Fixing straddle legs in a turkey does not help an unstuffed bird cook any more efficiently or make it any juicier, but it does provide a more pleasing presentation. Tying turkey legs helps to keep stuffing contained if you are ...
Brining can mean the difference between a dry, hard-to-chew, tasteless meat entree and one that is succulent, moist and packed with flavor. This old-time tradition was once used to preserve foods, but with refrigerators taking ...
Though the thigh of the turkey is dark meat, it can still be a healthy choice for your meals. It is more moist than white meat and can handle higher temperatures for cooking without drying out. Turkey thighs are often sold sepa...
Breading with flour is the simplest and least expensive way to seal in juices and add a little extra crunch to turkey. Breaded turkey pieces and cutlets can be pan-fried or baked and served as is or used to make turkey piccata,...
Whether you purchase a frozen, precooked turkey or freeze a turkey that you cooked, defrosting or thawing the turkey requires care to prevent the growth of bacteria. Safe defrosting of turkey excludes using hot water, according...
When the holiday season comes around and families come together for a large dinner spread, your refrigerators shelves may be full with pies and side dishes. With space being an issue, it may complicate the necessary task of tha...
Brining your Butterball turkey seasons the meat turkey from the inside out by soaking the bird in a salt solution. Brining also helps the skin and flesh absorb moisture, which keeps your Butterball turkey moist and succulent as...
Restaurant and home chefs use numerous ways to cook a roast turkey based on preference, training and tradition. However, if you're hoping to achieve a crisp and browned skin on the turkey, there are a few simple tips you can fo...
If your dinner plans involve roasting a frozen turkey, it's critical that the turkey be allowed to thaw completely before cooking. Taking shortcuts is risky and may allow growth of bacteria present on the turkey before the bird...
A roasted turkey is a simple and nutritious entree that often results in large quantities of leftovers. If your family is not able to eat the whole bird in one sitting, leftovers should be sliced and placed in sealed containers...
Brining is a popular method of flavoring and preparing a turkey for roasting. Brining is the process of soaking food a salt and water mixture. The salt in the brine breaks down the turkey's proteins and allows the meat to absor...
Savory turkey meatballs are a meaty, flavorful treat. You can also make them a healthy meal if you use lean ground turkey and dry whole-wheat breadcrumbs to prepare them. Use your preferred blend of herbs and spices to season t...
Butterball sells whole turkeys ready for cooking and provides detailed instructions, from thawing to grilling, on how to prepare your holiday turkey. Marinating a butterball turkey is the same as marinating turkey bought elsewh...
Searing a turkey usually is done just before roasting it. The techniques are sometimes combined as sear-roasting in cookbooks. Searing involves cooking at a higher temperature and for a shorter duration than roasting. While sea...
Deep-frying a turkey is a Southern tradition. Typically, turkey and duck are roasted in the oven or cooked on a rotisserie; deep-frying adds a new dimension to their savory potential. A deep-fried turkey and duck's crispy skin ...
Brining is an effective way to keep poultry moist during cooking. Brine typically consists of salt and water and acts as a marinade. The high concentration of salt expands the muscles of the meat, allowing water to penetrate it...
Pork and turkey bacon are both meat products that can be served as part of a variety of recipes, and both are rich sources of protein. While pork and turkey bacon share these similarities, the two meat types do differ in severa...
Crawfish and turkey share many beneficial qualities for a healthy diet. Both are highly rich sources of protein, low in fat and loaded with nutrients such as iron, potassium, calcium and niacin. Studies have shown that consumin...
Freeze drying food is a process in which cooked or fresh foods are quickly frozen solid to preserve for later eating. In commercial settings, this is done using a freeze dryer. After the food is frozen, it is placed in a freeze...
Freezing turkey bacon is an option if you need to keep your meat fresh a little bit longer than refrigeration allows. Turkey bacon contains a lower amount of cholesterol and fat than pork bacon and also represents an alternativ...
Turkey rhubarb may sound like something you'd find in the meat department of your grocery store, but it's actually a vegetable used in European cuisine since the 17th century. It's also been a component in traditional Chinese m...
Some foods are fattening by their very nature -- French fries and mocha lattes with whipped cream come to mind. Other foods are fattening only if you overindulge, as one small piece of apple pie after a low-calorie dinner won't...
A tasty and healthful meal, turkey is usually served on holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. Its lean, white meat makes it suitable for serving as a whole roasted bird. A serving of 3.4 oz. of turkey delivers 20 g of pr...
Bodybuilders take a systematic approach to nutrition in order to promote lean muscle development while minimizing body fat. Each macronutrient -- carbohydrates, fat and protein -- plays an important role to the overall nutritio...
Ground turkey is a lower fat and calorie alternative to ground beef. It is important to check the label before purchasing the turkey, though, because some packages include skin and dark meat, making it a less-than-ideal substit...
Aluminum foil is a big help when roasting a turkey. Use aluminum foil in one of two ways: enclose the turkey in the foil before roasting it in a hot oven; or, use the foil as a tent to control the level of browning. Enclosing t...
Proponents of the high-heat method of roasting a turkey say that the increased temperature helps to intensify the flavor of the meat, while keeping the meat moist and making the skin crispy and golden brown. Of course, the trad...
Turkey can be cooked a number of different ways, each with its own suggested style of seasoning. The leg of the turkey can be tough and stringy compared to the tender breast meat, and often times must be seasoned in order to en...
Turkey and cranberry is the perfect combination, so don't feel that you have to wait until Thanksgiving to enjoy it. Cooking in a slow cooker is a mess-free and easy way of cooking delicious meals. Preparing your meal in a slow...
Turkey is a staple in the American diet, especially around the holidays. It is a type of poultry meat that has decreased in production since 1997 but increased slightly in price. According to the California Poultry Federation,...
When you think of roasting a turkey you may consider heading out to the meat department of your local grocery store. But roasting a wild turkey provides a special alternative main dish for holiday parties or family meals. Prepa...
Your memories of turkey and stuffing from your childhood, as well as your views about what constitutes a proper stuffing, will be largely dependent on where you grew up and where your family's roots are. For some people, stuffi...
Turkey legs seasoned with smoky- and sweet-flavored barbecue sauces taste delicious when prepared on the grill. Instead of worrying about the turkey legs sticking to the grill, cook them covered in aluminum foil. Keep the turke...
Turkey is the centerpiece of the holiday table in many American households, but everyone has their own idea about what should go in the stuffing. If you are creating a brand new traditional stuffing recipe, it is important to g...
Soaking your turkey in brine prevents your turkey from drying out during the roasting process. Brined turkey is tender and succulent in a way that you can't achieve without brining; therefore, brining the turkey is well worth t...
If this is your first year hosting the family for a traditional Thanksgiving feast, anxiety probably started creeping in days before the big event. The centerpiece of the meal -- the turkey -- often causes worry among Thanksgiv...
Roasting a turkey is an annual tradition for the holiday season, but a turkey roast is a family favorite for year-round meals and celebrations. The perfect way to roast a turkey requires planning, time and preparation, but the ...
Brining turkey legs before roasting or grilling helps lock in the moisture and keep the meat juicy. The salt in the brine causes water retention that will not be lost during the heating process. You can use table salt for your ...
Although food enthusiasts believe gravy without pan drippings is a poor substitute for the real thing, waiting for the last minute to prepare gravy puts added pressure on an already stressful time. Furthermore, deep-fried turke...
A roast turkey tenderloin offers a change from pork and is ideal for an everyday meal or a holiday, especially if you're cooking for a small group or are short on time. Turkey tenderloins can be purchased marinated and seasoned...
Everyone who likes turkey has a favorite way to prepare it. Rotisserie cooking is a common favorite way to roast your turkey because it is requires little prep work and the rotisserie motion prevents the juices from dripping ou...
Whether you're preparing for Thanksgiving or simply roasting a turkey for a midweek dinner, proper defrosting technique is essential to help prevent foodborne illnesses. You must keep a turkey at temperatures less than 40 degre...
With a significant amount of protein and a low fat content, turkey burgers are commonly chosen over traditional beef burgers as a healthier alternative. When you are making your turkey burgers, you can add a variety of spices a...
Success in bodybuilding requires a high level of dedication and discipline in the gym, but what you do outside of your workouts is important, as well. Your nutritional choices determine your level of muscle gain and fat loss, s...
Comfort foods don't get much more comforting than meatloaf. Often paired with buttery mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese, meatloaf is the type of food people crave when they go on a diet. Traditional meatloaf is made with g...
If you are looking for an alternative to the fat content in beef burgers, try turkey burgers. This option contains fewer fat and saturated fat grams, making it a less fattening option. However, a turkey burger does have a high ...
A turkey sandwich can be a very healthy meal -- or an unhealthy one depending on what you add to it. The bread you use, the condiments you choose and the additional ingredients you add all play a large part in determining the n...
Turkey burgers are typically thought of as healthier than a ground beef burger, but this depends on several factors. In general, a turkey burger you prepare at home provides a better opportunity to use ingredients and cooking m...
Modern day football has its origins in England with the formation of the English Football Association in 1863. Since then, football has spread like wildfire around the globe wherever the English have gone. In Turkey it was no d...
Diets consist of a collection of food, and numerous diets use bacon in different recipes. Turkey bacon is a popular alternative to traditional bacon that is prepared with smoked or chopped turkey. Following a turkey bacon diet ...
Wild turkeys are some of the most striking American birds, largely because of their large size. Leaner and wilier than their domesticated relatives, wild turkeys suffered range reductions in the 19th and early 20th centuries, b...
Turkey rhubarb is a plant that originated in China and has been used in Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. It takes its name from the trade route through Turkey that allowed Chinese merchants to spread the plant to poi...
Trimming the fat from your diet is not only a quick way to cut calories; it's a healthier way of eating. There is no reason why a holiday meal needs to go straight to your waistline, either. If you are looking to trim some fat ...
Make a healthy appetizer by using ground turkey to make meatballs instead of the standard, ground beef or sausage. Meatballs are easy to make. Just add an egg and a handful of breadcrumbs for each package of ground turkey that...
There are about 32g of protein in a 4-oz. serving of turkey, making it a very good source of these essential amino acids. Just one serving of turkey provides 65 percent of your recommended daily intake of protein. Eat a turkey...
