by N. A. Hernandez

Created on: December 27, 2007   Last Updated: November 29, 2011

Cooking your turkey to its full flavorful and juicy potential is a great way to show off your cooking talents. Even if you do not know your way too well around the kitchen these following tips should help you to make the best turkey you have ever sunk your teeth into. Your guests will be amazed and you will be amazed at yourself in creating a mouthwatering deliciously juicy turkey. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family and myself do.

Fist of all you must know what kind of turkey to buy. So many people think that it does not matte , but believe me it does! These days there are so many choices and it can be a bit confusing, but here are some tips for the best turkeys you can buy...

Self basting turkeys are ones that are previously injected with a solution that makes them very tender and juicy as well as more flavorful. Of course you want to read the ingredients that are in the solution, if you have some guests, or yourself, that does not care for too much sodium in their diet, then read carefully. Many of the solutions do contain high levels of sodium.

Organic turkeys are ones that are not raised with antibiotics and growth enhancers. They are raised better then the normal turkey, so they are often a bit higher in price, but worth it. When you are buying your turkey make sure that you look for 100% organic though since many try and trick you. You want to make sure you are buying correctly.

Once you choose your turkey make sure that you defrost it properly. Ideally you will buy the turkey a few days in advance and allow it to defrost in your refrigerator. Never thaw it out on your counter top! If you do not have the time then place it in the kitchen sink and set it in cold water. Change the water about every thirty minutes. Make sure the water is cold! You may also thaw your turkey in the microwave following the manufactures advice and instructions.

Make sure that you have the appropriate sized roasting pan to cook your turkey in.

An hour before you are ready to cook the turkey, remove it from the fridge. Then prep the turkey for cooking with the ingredients that you wish. There are so many ways to flavor a turkey, but for a juicy and delicious turkey I have found these two favorite recipes that my family and myself love.

* Buttery, Lemony Turkey *

Juice of 4 lemons
2 to 3 cups of melted butter
salt and pepper to taste
8 cloves of garlic
4 tablespoons fresh cilantro

Using a knife, cut little holes in the turkey on the top and sides and place the garlic inside them.

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