Carve a turkey like a pro
Roasted turkey is the centerpiece of many holiday feasts. While many holiday chefs have received compliments on the appearance of a freshly prepared turkey sitting on the serving platter, they may not know how to properly carve up their masterpieces after the grand presentation has been made.
1. Place the turkey on a large, sturdy cutting board. Do not cut the turkey in the pan you used to cook it. Remove the string that may be tying the legs together. Turn the board so that the back of the turkey is facing you.
2. Choose a sharp knife to carve the turkey. A long, narrow knife may work best. Serrated knives may tear the turkey meat, so it may be better to use a flat knife. Some people prefer the ease of an electric knife.
3. Cut through the skin on a leg and gently bend the leg as you slice through to expose the joint. Cut through and remove the entire leg. Then separate the drumstick from the thigh. Repeat on the other side.
4. Cut the thigh meat parallel to the thigh bone and place on your serving platter.
5. To slice the breast meat, insert your knife in the center of the breast bone and cut down until you reach the ribs. Then slice the breast meat in toward your initial cut so you are cutting across the grain of the meat. This will keep the meat tender.
6. Find the wish bone and place it on the side to dry. Children typically like to break the wish bone.
7. Find the joint of the wings and remove them in a similar fashion as you did for the legs. They are small enough that they should not require extra slicing and can be placed whole on the serving platter.
8. Drizzle the sliced meat with any reserved cooking juices to keep the turkey moist and flavorful.
Since turkey is usually the star of many holiday meals, it pays to know the correct way to carve turkey for celebrations.
