Description
Learn how to carve a roasted turkey like a pro with this easy step-by-step guide. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any special occasion, this method ensures you get tender, well-presented slices of turkey ready for your festive platter.
Ingredients
Scale
Main
- 1 roasted turkey
- Any garnishes like lemon slices, cranberries, fresh herbs
Instructions
- Remove the legs and thighs: Slice through the skin between the leg and breast, pull back on the leg, lay it flat outward, and push up on the joint from underneath to hear a slight pop. Cut around the joint and remove the leg and thigh completely. Repeat on the other side and set aside.
- Remove the breasts: Slice down on either side of the breast bone with long strokes. Use your thumb to gently pull the breasts outward as your knife slices down and out until the breast meat is removed. Slice horizontally at the bottom if needed to help remove it. Repeat on the other side and set aside.
- Remove the wings: Gently pull wings away from the body and slice through the joint to remove. Remove wing tips and set aside.
- Separate the drumstick from the thigh: Flip the leg piece skin side down. Slice through the meat, gently pull back on the drumstick to expose the joint, then slice through it to separate drumstick and thigh.
- Remove the bone from the thigh: Slice around the thigh bone carefully to preserve as much meat as possible.
- Carve the final pieces: Slice against the grain to get tender pieces of meat, keeping the skin attached to each piece as much as possible.
- Arrange and garnish: Arrange all pieces on a platter and add lemon slices, cranberries, fresh herbs, or other garnishes for presentation.
Notes
- Practice the carving technique a couple of times to gain confidence.
- Use a sharp carving knife for clean slices and safety.
- Removing the bone from the thigh helps serve meat easier.
- Keep skin attached for moist, flavorful turkey slices.
- Garnishes like lemon, cranberries, and herbs add color and freshness to your platter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 96 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 168 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 26 mg
