Determining the ideal resting time for turkey is an important part of ensuring it turns out moist, flavorful, and cooked to the proper internal temperature. When turkey comes straight out of the oven, the fibers are tight and the juices have not had time to redistribute throughout the meat. Allowing the turkey to rest after roasting gives the juices time to be reabsorbed back into the turkey flesh. This results in turkey that is juicy and delicious. So what exactly is the maximum resting time recommended for turkey before carving and serving?
Why You Should Allow Turkey to Rest After Cooking
There are several benefits to allowing your turkey to rest before slicing and eating:
- Allows juices to redistribute: When turkey comes straight from the oven, the juices have collected mostly in the center and have not had a chance to redistribute back into the meat. As the turkey rests, the juices from the interior of the meat will flow back out into the turkey. This keeps it from being dry.
- Loosens muscle fibers: The intense heat of roasting causes the muscle fibers in turkey to contract and tighten. As the turkey rests, these fibers start to loosen up and relax. This makes the turkey easier to carve.
- Cooler temperature: A rested turkey is not piping hot straight from the oven. This slightly cooler temperature makes it safer and more comfortable to handle and carve the bird without burning fingers.
Failing to let your turkey rest means you end up with drier, tougher meat and burn risks while attempting to carve and serve.
How Long to Let Turkey Rest
So exactly how long should you allow a roasted whole turkey to rest before slicing into it? Here are some general guidelines from cooking experts:
- Minimum of 15 minutes
- 20-30 minutes for a typical 12-16 pound turkey
- Up to 40 minutes for very large 20+ pound turkeys
The larger the turkey, the longer the recommended resting time. This allows juices to fully redistribute in very large birds. Bone-in parts like turkey breasts or legs also benefit from 15-20 minute resting times.
For optimum safety and texture, refrain from carving until the turkey has had an opportunity to rest within these time ranges.
What Happens If Turkey Doesn’t Rest Long Enough
Carving into the turkey too soon can lead to disappointing results. Here is what can happen if you don’t let the turkey properly rest after roasting:
- Dry meat: Juices won’t have time to redistribute back into the meat, leaving drier flesh.
- Tough texture: Fibers will still be tight and contracted without time to relax.
- Burn hazard: Very hot turkey can burn fingers and hands while attempting to carve.
- Uneven cooking: The center of the turkey may still be slightly undercooked if not given a chance to finish carryover cooking.
Rushing the process leads to turkey that is dry and underwhelming in texture. Be patient and allow your turkey adequate resting time for best quality results.
Steps for Letting Turkey Rest
Follow these simple steps for letting your roasted turkey properly rest before carving:
- Remove turkey from oven and place on a cutting board or platter.
- Lightly cover turkey with aluminum foil to retain heat. Make sure foil is loose and not touching skin.
- Allow turkey to rest for recommended time based on weight (15 minutes minimum, up to 40 minutes for very large turkeys).
- After resting, remove foil and slice turkey according to your preferred carving method.
- Pour pan juices over carved turkey or serve juices on the side for moist meat.
It’s important not to tightly wrap or tent the turkey, as this can lead to condensation forming and making the skin soggy. A loose, lightly draped foil will keep the turkey warm and help juices redistribute.
Serving Warm Turkey After Resting
Even after resting for 30-40 minutes, a roasted turkey should still be warm and ready to serve. Here are some options for keeping turkey warm as you get the rest of the meal ready to serve:
- Place carved turkey in a 200°F oven on low heat to keep warm.
- Use an insulated cooler to hold the turkey if you need extra time.
- Place turkey platter over a hot pad on the table to retain residual heat.
- Cover turkey loosely with foil and towels to insulate.
- Place slices in a warm covered dish or covered chafing dish.
With proper safe handling and temperature control, turkey can be held and served warm for upwards of 1-2 hours after carving.
Tips for Maximizing Turkey Resting Time
To ensure you allow ample time for your turkey to rest, here are some useful tips:
- Plan ahead: Schedule extra time between turkey coming out of the oven and meal serving time.
- Make side dishes ahead: Have other dishes prepped in advance so there’s no rush to carve.
- Inform guests: Let family and guests know turkey needs to rest before serving so expectations are set.
- Use a meat thermometer: This ensures turkey reaches safe minimum internal temperature before resting.
- Transfer to a roomy cutting board: This provides plenty of space for the whole turkey to rest undisturbed.
- Sharpen carving knives: Razor-sharp knives make easier work of slicing rested turkey.
With forethought and proper planning, allowing ample resting time for your Thanksgiving or holiday turkey is easy. The rewards of juicy, tender meat are well worth the short wait.
Common Questions About Turkey Resting Times
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about letting turkey rest before carving:
Can turkey rest too long?
It is possible for turkey to rest too long, causing it to cool too much before serving. Whole turkeys should not need to rest longer than 40 minutes maximum. After about 2 hours, the turkey can cool to an unsafe temperature for serving. Portioned turkey that rests for over 30 minutes may start to dry out.
Should turkey be covered while resting?
Loosely tenting turkey with aluminum foil while it rests can help retain heat and let juices redistribute. But tightly sealing can cause condensation that ruins the crispy skin. Ideally, keep foil slightly raised off the turkey surface and avoid moisture build-up.
Can I make gravy with turkey juices after resting?
Absolutely! Pouring the juices collected in the pan over the carved turkey or using to make gravy is recommended. This utilizes all the flavorful juices and drippings after the meat has rested.
Should stuffing rest inside turkey?
For food safety, it is recommended to bake stuffing separately rather than in the turkey cavity. This prevents undercooked stuffing bacteria issues. Cooked stuffing can rest in a covered dish 15 minutes before serving.
Can I let turkey rest longer if needed?
While not ideal, turkey can safely rest for longer than the recommended times if necessary. Up to 2 hours is safe, though turkey may start cooling too much. Keep it loosely covered in foil and insulated to retain as much heat as possible until ready to serve.
The Importance of Letting Poultry Rest
Allowing roasted poultry to rest before serving is a key technique for delicious results. The resting times for other birds are similar:
Chicken
Whole chickens benefit from 15-20 minutes of resting time. For chicken breasts or bone-in parts, let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
Duck
A whole duck should rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. Duck breasts are best when allowed to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking.
Goose
Allow goose to rest for 20-30 minutes prior to carving. The large size means juices need time to absorb back into the meat evenly.
Cornish Hen
These small birds only require 15 minutes of resting after roasting in a 425°F oven to be their juiciest.
Resting Times for Other Roasts
In addition to poultry, other meats benefit greatly from proper resting:
| Roast | Ideal Resting Time |
|---|---|
| Beef roast | 10-15 minutes |
| Pork roast | 10-15 minutes |
| Lamb roast | 15 minutes |
| Ham | 10-15 minutes |
Allowing roasts to rest gives time for juices to reabsorb back into the meat before slicing. Use a meat thermometer to ensure roasts reach safe internal temperatures before the resting period.
Conclusion
Resting your turkey after roasting is a simple process that yields big rewards. Allowing the turkey to sit for the recommended time based on size results in juicy, tender meat that makes for an amazing holiday centerpiece. With proper planning to allow ample resting time, your Thanksgiving or festive meal will be a delicious success.