How long do you let a turkey rest?

[gottaluvPluto]

How long to you let a turkey rest before you carve it? We have always let it rest 20 to 30 min and I thought that was the norm. However, I saw a cooking show and they said you should let it rest an hour. I talked to my neighbor about this and she says you should let it rest 2 hours! I think 2 hours is way too long to wait to carve a turkey. I might try 45 min. this year to rest a turkey before carving it, but no way would I do 2 hours. I guess you don't have to worry about the oven if you do an hour or more for the casseroles and stuff.

 

[Disneylover99]

I let it rest while I make the gravy and scoop out the stuffing. Maybe 20-25 minutes?

 

[mnrose]

As long as he needs to to regain his strength.

You are referring to the "turkey" that is my husband, right?

 

[jerseygal]

About 1/2 hour. 2 hours seems too long. I would think that it would get cold! ENJOY the "fruits of your labor"!

 

[bcla]

For a second I thought the title was a question about a live turkey.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

For a second I thought the title was a question about a live turkey.

Not me! This time of year, my mind always defaults to "food" LOL

 

[mtemm]

Prob around an hour when all is said and done? I remember Gordon Ramsey say one time that it should rest even longer but I think that's about as long as we do

 

[marlynnp]

I'd say it's 45 minutes to an hour for me

 

[kaytieeldr]

Internally says at least 20 minutes. Two hours of rest between the refrigerator and the oven before you cook it, according to Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. Coincidentally, I'm watching the Thanksgiving episode of The Kitchen right now. Apparently, putting a cold turkey in the oven messes with the cooking time.

eta: not the slightest idea what 'internally' was autocorrected from. Maybe ButterBall...

 

[sasywtch]

Bobby Flay said an hour today

 

[wilma-bride]

Ours usually rests for 45 minutes to an hour. I wrap it in foil and then wrap in an old towel. It stays perfectly hot and it seems to retain more of the juices.

 

[usnuzuloose]

A good hour should be fine. That would give you just enough time to finish your meal and by then you can eat. Put foil on it to keep it warm as well.

 

[aprilgail]

5 minutes- I have no patience for sitting around waiting. Thank goodness I rarely have to cook a turkey!

 

[gottaluvPluto]

Ours usually rests for 45 minutes to an hour. I wrap it in foil and then wrap in an old towel. It stays perfectly hot and it seems to retain more of the juices.

I do put foil around it, but I never thought about a towel. I'm going to start doing that.

Thanks everyone. I just thought two hours was way too long and I was unsure about an hour.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

5 minutes- I have no patience for sitting around waiting. Thank goodness I rarely have to cook a turkey!

I love sneaking a piece here and there. My favorite part is the part they call the oyster. YUMMY!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I let it rest while I make the gravy and scoop out the stuffing. Maybe 20-25 minutes?

And the rolls! That can add another 12 minutes, lol.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I do put foil around it, but I never thought about a towel. I'm going to start doing that.

Thanks everyone. I just thought two hours was way too long and I was unsure about an hour.

I never even used foil.

I might try a foil and a towel this yr.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[RedAngie]

Half hour tops. I'm not gonna wait around for it to take a two hour nap, not unless I can take a nap too. Anyway, I cook the turkey the day or evening before, carve it, then reheat it on Thanksgiving.

 

[soccerdad72]

We often let ours rest at least an hour or more. Whenever it's done, we pull it out of the roaster (we have an electric standalone roasting oven) and put it on the counter with foil over it.

I don't like to carve it until it's somewhat cool, so like I said, it's usually an hour or so later.

To me, turkey is one of those meats that doesn't have to be piping hot - that's what gravy is for

 

[lynxstch]

I love sneaking a piece here and there. My favorite part is the part they call the oyster. YUMMY!

Mine too!