Uncle Bill's Method for Cooking Turkey

THE MOST FEARED CREATURE IN A HOUSEWIVES KITCHEN IS HER FIRST TURKEY...

NEVER FEAR UNCLE BILL IS HERE!!!

I had never cooked a turkey before and my DH detests turkey at all times but with this recipe I even got rave reviews from him!! I loved that it didn't have tons of salt or anything else complicated happening with it and yet was still the most moist turkey I've ever eaten!

Before I poured the boiling water over this giant bird I gently separated the skin from the meat with my hands and lukewarm water running over it to make it easier, then I rubbed down the meat with a compound butter I had made the night before that had everything from raw hazelnuts and walnuts to fresh sage and rosemary in it for a dramatic touch. It was simply amazing! I was fascinated by how the skin just sealed up against every nook and cranny. My little old auntie accused me of having done a practice turkey before this one and honestly I had never done this before!! You should've seen me smack talking that 25lb bird @ 3am! I didn't even have the proper tools to tie up the legs I used a brand new greased up shoe string!!!!

If this is your first turkey and you go any other way than this recipe your just plain silly!! Just remember your working with something that is going to be eaten not bronzed and put on display for the rest of your life! Tin foil the breasts if they get brown too soon or (I know it sounds crazy) cook the bird breasts down for the first half of the bake time!

Will never be able to thank you enough for this method Uncle Bill, you have made me a legendary cook in my family @ just 22years old I have all the little old ladies jealous of my prowess in the kitchen!!

I tried this at Thanksgiving. It was well worth the extra time getting the bird in the oven. Everything was moist, even the breast meat! I will use this method always from now on!

I used a 13lb turkey and cooked it an hour on 400, an hour and 45 mins on 325, a half hour on 350, took the foil off and started basting and within 45 mins my popper popped and the turkey was perfect!!! Soooo easy! Plus it made 5 cups of drippings for the gravy. I used the gravy recipe #74273. It was awesome!

Yummy Turkey Bill. Even though you said not to, I rubbed down my turkey under the skin and marinated overnight. Before roasting, I poured the scalding hot water over my bird. I used a bag too. My baby was so moist that when I moved her out of the pan her legs fell right off--wings came off with a gentle tug. She was a juicy beauty! I brined my turkey last year--THIS WAS BETTER. Brining was a giant pain in the butt and this tasted better.

I've had burnt or dry turkey the whole time I was growing up... Thank you for posting an easy recipe for those who still need the basics!