9 tips to elevate your Christmas turkey – plus controversial step you should follow or risk messing up your cooking time
IF you’re in charge of feeding your friends and family this festive season, these tips may be worth saving.
A food expert has shared her go-to tips for perfecting your Christmas dinner.
In her viral video, TikTok user Georgia (@georgiehalfacree) broke down each step that she cooks to prepare her turkey.
She advised her audience to opt for a “nice big bird with the giblets”.
According to the pro, the giblets can be used to “take the gravy to the next level”.
For her first step, Georgia placed her vegetables in the base of her tray before adding the turkey on top.
She then patted the bird dry before preparing her butter and seasoning.
Next, the TikToker mixed crisps, herbs, salt, pepper and clementine zest with her butter.
Georgia put on a pair of gloves and used her hands to spread the butter under the bird’s skin and across the surface.
She recommended using a wooden spoon to get under the skin and “loosen it up”.
The food guru reminded her followers not to neglect the legs and wings.
She then added a “generous amount” of salt and pepper to the turkey.
Georgia also shared her “controversial” take when it comes to stuffing a turkey.
“I only do herbs because personally, in my opinion, I just think it’s going to mess with the cooking time if you’re making it really dense,” she explained.
She added this allows the air to flow through the turkey, allowing for even cooking.
Georgia then covered her turkey in tin foil before placing it in her oven.
She recommended cooking it for 30 to 45 minutes less than listed on the packaging.
She also advised her audience to remove the tin foil an hour before the turkey is finished cooking, ensuring a crispy brown finish.
The oven should be set to 180 degrees Celsius and often, Georgia “whacks it up to 200” towards the end of cooking.
She recommended using a food temperature probe and only taking the bird out of your oven when it is between 65 to 70-degrees Celsius.
Next, she used the juices in the bottom of the pan to make her gravy, using white wine to scrub off the crispy bits that are “full of flavour.”
The TikToker suggested cutting “nice thick” slices as “wafer thin” ones tend to go dry quickly.
Her followers shared their thoughts on the advice in the comments section.
“Wow thanks for sharing these tips, looks beautiful,” wrote one impressed viewer.
“Love the spoon trick to lift the skin,” said another TikTok user.
“That looks amazing, I’m not usually a fan of turkey but the way you have cooked it looks delicious,” a third said.