A Turkey Tutorial

We asked Joe Lazzara, owner of Joe’s Butcher Shop in Carmel, to share his rules when it comes to cooking the perfect Thanksgiving turkey.

DO know what kind of turkey you are selecting and understand that how it was raised matters.
Joe's Farm Fresh Turkeys are a sustainably raised crossbreed of heritage black and domestic white, guaranteeing richness and a higher percentage of white meat. Sustainably raised birds are treated better, resulting in a more tender and tasty turkey.

DON’T settle for the USDA version of “fresh.”
According to the USDA, “frozen less than six months” still means “fresh.” But freezing closes the meat, resulting in long cook times, tough consistency and less ability to hold moisture. Joe's Farm Fresh Turkeys are honestly fresh, processed just days before Thanksgiving in Ohio by our own Farmer Karl Kuck.

DO rinse your bird inside and out with cold water before roasting.
Pat the bird dry with paper towels inside and out, then dry rub with generous amounts of kosher salt or a favorite turkey rub. Remember to wash your hands frequently when handling poultry.

DON’T stuff the turkey.
Stuffing pulls moisture from the turkey into your stuffing, meaning you’ll need to cook the bird longer to kill any pathogens in the stuffing, resulting in less moist meat and the potential to overcook.

DO oven-roast your turkey.
This is the standard way to cook a great bird. Visit joesbutchershop.com/turkey-instructions for Joe’s step-by-step guide to preparing, roasting and carving the perfect turkey.

DON’T cover your cooked turkey with foil after you pull it from the oven.
Wrapping a hot turkey in foil not only traps heat, but it produces steam, which can turn crispy skin soft and soggy.

DO take copious notes every time you cook a turkey.
You can document what works and what doesn’t so that you can become a turkey expert over the years.

DON’T wait to order your turkey from Joe’s Butcher Shop.
You can order your Joe's Farm Fresh Turkey now at joesbutchershop.com

Visit Joe’s Butcher Shop at 111 W. Main Street in Carmel for meat, seafood, wine and groceries. Get Joe’s Turkey Roasting Guide and find out more online at joesbutchershop.com. Follow @joes_butchershop on Instagram for the latest news.