How to Handle 10 Thanksgiving Cooking Mishaps

It’s no secret that hosting Thanksgiving can take a lot of preparation. You’ve got to plan the menu, set up a schedule and bring it all together. But what happens if your food prep goes awry? Find out ways to fix common Thanksgiving mistakes.

10 Common Thanksgiving Fails and How to Fix Them

On top of that, we’ve prepared a list of Thanksgiving recipe hacks for many common issues to help you keep your feast on track.

1. How to Thaw a Turkey

A common problem is that the turkey is still partially frozen when it’s time to cook. So, it’s important to remember that defrosting any meat is key, and it needs to be done at a safe temperature. You can submerge the turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Keep in mind that this can take a few hours.

You can also cook it from partially frozen. It will take about 25% longer to cook than a fully thawed turkey. To partially thaw, set your oven to 325°F. Check the turkey’s internal temperature in several spots, especially in the thick breast meat closest to the bone. You want a reading of at least 165°F throughout. If the outside is getting too browned before the inside is up to temperature, cover the bird with foil and continue cooking.

2. How to Make a Turkey Juicy

Another potential hazard is dry turkey, which can result from overcooking or not allowing enough resting time. Place the carved pieces in a baking dish with some chicken broth and melted butter. Cover the pan tightly with foil and allow it to warm in a 250°F oven for about 15 minutes. When all else fails, serve with plenty of gravy.

3. How Much Turkey per Person

To make sure there’s enough for everyone, you’ll want to prepare about 1½ pounds of turkey per guest. If your holiday gathering will be more intimate, around 2-3 people, you can opt for turkey breasts rather than purchasing a whole bird.

4. When to Carve a Turkey

When meat is allowed to sit after cooking, it will reabsorb some of its juices. If you cut into the turkey too soon, those juices can spill out and the meat could be too dry. So once your cooked bird comes out of the oven, let it sit, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Cutting a turkey will take additional time.

5. How to Carve a Turkey

Start by cutting out the wishbone. Then break the carving process down 1 side at a time. To get clean slices, always use long strokes rather than a sawing motion, and cut against the grain.

First, cut through the skin that connects the breast and the drumstick, slicing down until you reach the joint. Grab the leg and push down, separating the leg and thigh from the bird. Use your chef’s knife to slice through the joint.

Still working on the same side, use the carving knife to slice through the skin on the top of the turkey along the breastbone. Lay the breast flat on the cutting board. Use the boning knife to slice through the joint to remove the wing; transfer it to the platter. Now turn the turkey around and repeat those steps on the other side.

6. How to Fix Dry Stuffing

If stuffing is dry, melt a few tablespoons of butter into a cup or so of stock and pour over the stuffing. Cover with foil and allow to sit in a warm oven for 8-10 minutes. You can also give the stuffing a soak with the pan drippings from the turkey.

7. How to Fix Soggy Stuffing

If stuffing is soggy, spread it onto a larger baking sheet to increase the surface area. Continue baking, checking every 5 minutes or so, until it reaches your desired mix of moist interior and crispy edges.

8. How to Fix Lumpy Mashed Potatoes

Lumpy mashed potatoes most commonly occur due to undercooking. Add some extra milk, cream or broth and return the potatoes to a pot. Cover and cook over low heat, adding more liquid as needed, until the last of the lumps cook out.

9. How to Fix Gluey Mashed Potatoes

Overmixing can result in potatoes with a gluey texture. If they’re gluey, consider turning them into cheesy mashed potato muffins. Mix the potatoes with grated cheese and an egg. Grease a non-stick muffin pan with cooking spray, then scoop your mixture into the pan. Bake 30-35 minutes at 375°F.

10. How to Make a Thanksgiving Meal List

Such an important meal requires plenty of planning. About a week in advance, write down all the dishes you plan to prepare, and take note of which need to be cooked and where (stovetop or oven). Determine which meals can be made days earlier and simply reheated before you’re ready to serve.

Get Cooking

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