Wegmans Blog: Fresh Stories

1 day left till Turkey Day!  I’m hopeful there will be fewer dry overcooked birds on holiday tables this Thanksgiving.

Over the last few days, I was so thrilled to be able to help our customers during our #Turkey911 Twitter chat. Your tweets came pouring in with Thanksgiving cooking questions and, as expected, the most popular topics were centered on the bird. Lots of questions came in about different prep techniques and cooking instructions to get a juicy, more flavorful turkey.

It was fun to be able to give answer directly and it’s always interesting to find out what dilemmas you are facing. That’s helpful as we plan for next year so we can provide help that fits your needs.

I hope you’re feeling a little more prepared and ready to go. But, if you are looking for some final advice, here are my 5 final tips for Turkey Day!

1.)    Get everything done ahead of time that you can—

Tonight’s the time to do prepping. Get the kids to help! Pre-set the table or even make place cards. Wash and dry all the serving platters and utensils you’ll need. They can even help in the kitchen before it gets too hectic. Side dishes can also be made the night before.  Blanch veggies, prepare stuffing, and then all you have to do tomorrow if re-heat while the turkey is resting out of the oven.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, take some time to plan and write out a timeline for tomorrow so you have a checklist of all that needs to get done. Here’s a link to the timeline we created. Post it on the kitchen cupboard or on the fridge and check off things off as you go.

 2.)    Avoid Overcooking & Carving Mishaps

Remember to remove all the giblets from both ends before cooking. We do not recommend stuffing the bird or placing the turkey breast-side down.

To avoid overcooking—ignore the “golf tees” in the bird, and  instead use a digital thermometer and check the temperature in two places—in the breast and the inside of the thigh. When the thermometer reads 165 degrees F, remove from oven and let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes to a half hour. This allows the juices to redistribute.

Avoid carving mishaps: Present the bird to your guests, receive applause, then return to the kitchen and slice on a platter. Watch our Turkey Carving Time Savers video for more help.

Helpful tip for next year- if you are planning on cooking a turkey for the first time, try it out before the big day. There are 364 other days to try cooking the turkey so you don’t let yourself get stressed out. Plus, turkey sandwiches are just as good in the middle of the summer!

 3.)    Gravy, gravy, gravy-

I’m a stickler for good gravy. You can either purchase our Turkey Gravy from Prepared Foods or follow the recipe in our video. It’s also a good idea to supplement your own with our Prepared Foods gravy, if needed. Watch how it’s done by Chef Russell Ferguson.

4.)    Don’t let your leftovers sit out too long!

Get the turkey in the fridge within 2 hours. Pick the meat off the bird and get it chilled down as soon as possible!

You can substitute leftover turkey in any recipe calling for cooked chicken. Wegmans Executive Chef Russell Ferguson shares his secrets to transform thanksgiving leftovers on our blog.

 5.)    Let your guests help!

If you need to pick up any convenience items or have any surprise guests coming, now’s the time to make that final trip. If your guests offer to bring something, be specific: suggest a dessert, bread, wine, or even flowers for the table. Save yourself a trip!

Remember to pace yourself tomorrow and try to fill half your plate with veggies.

Every year, I’m thankful for the people who like white meat. It’s only me and grandma that fight over the dark meat!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

Mark Makovec
 12 years @ Wegmans
 Executive Chef, Menu Cooking School