Does carving the holiday turkey make you nervous? Follow these step-by-step instructions to carve the turkey and impress your family and friends.
Once you have your turkey brined and perfectly cooked (in the oven or in a fryer), the next step is to carve it. Carving a turkey isn’t as difficult as you might think. It takes a little bit of thought, and just a little bit of knowledge of turkey anatomy. John and I are going to tell you everything you need to know to carve a turkey just like a pro!
How to Carve a Turkey
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MY LATEST VIDEOSYou’ll need to collect a few tools before you’re ready to start carving. You need a large cutting board, with plenty of surface to work on, and preferably one with a little groove around the outside to catch the turkey juices (otherwise the juices will end up all over your counter). This cutting board is similar to the one we used in the video below. It’s definitely big enough, and the groove will help to control the mess.
We use a silicone trivet under the cutting board. This gives a little more grip, so your cutting board won’t slide all over the place while you’re working with your turkey. A piece of non-skid shelf lining will also work for this.
John prefers to carve his turkey with an electric knife. The one he uses in the video is ancient, but this one is similar to the one we have. A regular carving knife or chef’s knife will do the job too. Just make sure that it’s nice and sharp before you get started. (Not sure about the different kinds of knives? Find out more here.)
Finally, you’ll need a big platter to load all of that beautiful turkey on as you carve it.
Just a note… the turkey in this video looks just a little bit pink. Don’t worry… I used a thermometer when I cooked it, so I know that it is fully cooked. The pink tinge is from the brining process. It is totally normal, and the meat is fully cooked.
Step-by-Step Video – How to Carve a Turkey
In the first video, my husband, John will show you the way he carves out Thanksviging turkey every year.
And in this video, I’ll show you how I carve the turkey when John isn’t around!
So, what do you think? Are you up to the challenge of carving your family’s turkey this year? I know you can do it!
Take the Fear Out of Turkey
Do you want even more tips about turkey? Check out these Top 10 Turkey Tips and never be afraid of cooking turkey again!
[…] I found this recipe for Slow Cooker Cheesy White Turkey Chili in Slow-Cooker Christmas Favorites by Gooseberry Patch. It is so easy to put together – the hardest part is saving the leftover turkey from scavenging family members! (Here’s your go-to guide on how to carve the turkey.) […]