Turkey is the meat of choice for many during the festive season, and with turkey comes the responsibility of carving it properly to ensure perfectly sliced pieces of meat for all to enjoy. Whether you ceremoniously carve the turkey at the table or quietly do so in the background, we’ve created this guide to help you carve a turkey for your Christmas dinner guests.
Step 1: Allow the turkey to rest
Once the turkey has finished cooking, allow it to rest for 30 minutes on a carving board. Resting the turkey allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more flavourful, and allows the meat to relax for easier carving. Failure to rest the turkey can cause the juices to seep out when slicing, resulting in dry meat.
Step 2: Check the sharpness of your carving knife
You’ll need a carving knife and fork to ensure easy, perfect slicing. While the turkey is resting, check the sharpness of your carving knife, and if it’s not as sharp as you’d like, quickly hone the blade with a sharpening steel.
Step 3: Remove any trussing
If you trussed a turkey, make sure to cut away and remove any strings used to tie the meat together.
Step 4: Remove the wings and legs
Because the turkey has been rested, the wing should be easy to pull away from the body, allowing you to cut through the joint where it meets the breast. To remove the legs, slice down where the legs meet the body. Don’t separate the drumstick from the leg at this point.
Step 5: Remove the breast
Feel where the turkey’s backbone is and slice down the side of it, removing the breast in one whole piece. Place the turkey breast onto a chopping board until later. Repeat for the breast on the other side.
Step 6: Remove the dark meat
Turn the carcass over and slice off any dark meat that’s found on the underside.
Step 7: Start carving into thick slices
Take the turkey breasts and place them skin-side up on a chopping board and carve off thick slices. Next, separate the drumstick from the thigh and slice. Once you’re happy with the slices, transfer the meat to a platter and bring to the table.
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