I bought a 20lb. Bird

[ColoradoMom!!]

Well, I was in a rush, and it was a Butterball on sale. Turkey, to be exact. ( Frozen - yes I know it will take about 5 days to thaw in fridge.)

I thought it would be great to have lots of leftovers, but now I have read that bigger birds are not as tender.

Perhaps I will try an oven bag. Any tips for a tender quarter ton turkey?

 

[N.Bailey]

I'm in the same boat. We normally get a 12 or so pound bird, but hubby came home yesterday with a 20 pounder. I hope it's not true that they're not as tender.

 

[Kitty 34]

I have cooked a 20 plus bird for many years now. I always use the Oven Bag and we've never had a problem with tenderness. Enjoy!!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

we deep fry!!!

 

[HERSEY]

Just make sure you have a big enough pan. I did that once and was scrambling to find a big enough pan.

 

[C.Ann]

My parents always had at least a 20 lb. bird and it was always nice and tender.. If you want to be extra sure, use the oven bag - and go buy one of those huge aluminum pans to cook it in if you don't have a pan large enough..

 

[Meriweather]

I got one today too I usually just do a breast since there aren't very many of us.
This year 3 and one doesn't eat the turkey
Bag, hmmmm.....will have to try that.
Couldn't resist when it was $5!!

 

[shrubber]

brine.

just google alton browns brine recipe and you will not be dissapointed.

a 20#'r fits nicley in a ( washed ) home depot bucket.

 

[sdemore]

I alway get 20+ turkeys we have a huge family gathering. If you don't care about the skin being golden brown cook it breast side down! It always comes out juicy and tender.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Do NOT use a disposable aluminium pan without a sheet pan underneath it. They are very flimsy and can be dangerous removing from the oven without the added support.

We cook a large turkey 20-26 pounds every year. Sometimes we brine, sometimes we don't.

It doesn't make for a pretty bird, but cooking it breast side down guarantees a moist and flavorful turkey. (Breast meat cooks faster and dries out easily. Cooking it upside down keeps it in the juices and "bastes" it continuously as it cooks).

 

[Nette]

My parents always had at least a 20 lb. bird and it was always nice and tender.. If you want to be extra sure, use the oven bag - and go buy one of those huge aluminum pans to cook it in if you don't have a pan large enough..

Do NOT use a disposable aluminium pan without a sheet pan underneath it. They are very flimsy and can be dangerous removing from the oven without the added support.

We cook a large turkey 20-26 pounds every year. Sometimes we brine, sometimes we don't.

It doesn't make for a pretty bird, but cooking it breast side down guarantees a moist and flavorful turkey. (Breast meat cooks faster and dries out easily. Cooking it upside down keeps it in the juices and "bastes" it continuously as it cooks).

We also always have a 20 lb + bird. (13-16 people to feed!) Mom ALWAYS stuffs it, including some dressing up under the skin over the breast. The white meat is never dry. One year she accidentally cooked it breast side down and that was really really juicy. Another happy "accident" was when she cooked the bird in one of those roasters... sort of like a big giant rectangular crock pot. It wasn't a pretty bird, but it was very juicy... People complained about the lack of crispy skin though.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Thanks everyone! You give me hope that Thanksgiving won't be ruined by the too big bird!

 

[Claudia1]

I always get rave reviews on my turkeys and I cook the bird like my grandmother always did.

I put the bird in the roaster and do all but the last 40 minuntes ON TOP of the stove, on medium low. Use the largest burner. Keep plenty of fluid in it and be sure to get the juice from the cavity emptied into the rest of the broth. Finish the last of the cooking time in the oven, uncovered, and basting every 10 minutes. Nice golden brown and very moist.

My grandparents always feed 50+ family at the holidays and the oven was always full with a ham, sweet potatoes, etc... She did this method out of convenience but it has become a family tradition. She was 85 when she died 20 years ago and she was an awesome cook.

 

[xDisneyAngelx]

My friend got a 20lb bird . Its always good because you can make turkey salad, turkey sandwhich and more