1. Check Your Oven Temperature – Get a Separate Oven Thermometer
Cooking times are based on both the size of your turkey and the temperature of your oven. As we enter the busiest cooking season of the year—Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Chanukah celebrations—it’s a great opportunity to perform a little preventative maintenance on your oven to ensure smooth holiday entertaining.
I often hear people say, "One oven runs cold" or "That oven runs hot." If you're having help or family members use your oven, they might not be familiar with its quirks, and that can throw off timing when baking, roasting, or heating your hors d'oeuvres and entrées. This could potentially delay or disrupt your dinner schedule.
Checking your oven temperature is easy. Simply purchase an oven thermometer from retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Amazon, or Home Depot. Prices I found range from $5 to $6. Opt for a thermometer that sits or hangs on your oven rack, so you can leave it in the oven to continuously verify that the temperature you set is accurate. These thermometers are designed to measure the internal air temperature, not the temperature of the food, so be sure to choose one specifically for that purpose.
Many professional-grade home ovens and appliances also offer calibration services, so that might be an option for you as well.
2. Don’t Overload the Oven – It Affects Cooking Time and Temperature
Even if your oven is set to the correct temperature, cooking times can vary depending on how much is in the oven at once, or how often you open and close the door to check on things. (Do you have a family member who does that all the time too?) Both of these actions can affect your oven's cooking performance. Overloading the oven with too many pans prevents air and heat from circulating evenly. If one pan is hot or warm and another one is cold, the cold item will lower the oven’s temperature.
If you need more oven space, you can always rent an additional oven—either a convection tabletop style or a full-sized propane or electric oven. I also recommend using your gas grill to either cook or keep items warm, especially if you need to juggle multiple sides.
3. Use a Meat Thermometer or Pop-Up Indicator to Ensure the Turkey is Cooked!
Everyone loves the presentation of a whole turkey. It's very traditional and often the centerpiece of the meal. Cooking a large bird takes time! Many of you will be waking up early to get that bird in the oven, so it's ready in time for dinner. Plan on approximately 15–20 minutes per pound to reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer or those pop-up indicators to ensure the turkey is cooked properly, not overcooked.
Cooking times will vary not only based on the size of your turkey but also whether it's stuffed. Here are a few helpful charts and sites that list cooking times. This one from Allrecipes includes two handy charts that outline cooking times and how many people each turkey size will feed. Here’s another one from RealSimple.
As beautiful as a whole turkey looks, and no matter how big it is, it always seems you need just a little more meat to go around—and have leftovers, too. So, I recommend cooking a turkey breast as well—boneless is even better—so you have something sliced and ready for your hungry guests while the grand bird rests for photo ops or during carving. This way, you can handle the demand.
4. Don’t Forget the Broth and the Butter!
After all the careful planning and preparation, there may still be some unexpected disasters! A can or box of low-sodium chicken broth and a stick of butter can save the day. These two inexpensive ingredients are essential to have on hand to rescue a dry bird or stretch a skimpy gravy situation. Butter and broth can also be added to dry stuffing or even sweet potatoes! Here’s a guide from Southern Living that shows you how to save dried-out turkey.
5. Safety First – Check Your Smoke Detectors!
Earlier this month, we all participated in the end of Daylight Savings and turned our clocks back an hour to Eastern Standard Time. Annually, at this time, fire departments pair their message of safety with a reminder to change the batteries in your smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly. A working smoke detector saves lives, for sure. With all the cooking we’ll be doing, it’s a good time to make sure all our kitchen equipment is in working order. It’s also a good idea to check your fire extinguishers!
At Thanksgiving, it’s important to remember what matters most and give thanks—time spent with family, friends, and loved ones. That is a priceless gift. Take the time to honor and acknowledge each other, our unique gifts, talents, and even annoying habits! Savor your food, but also savor the joy of the moment and the people you’re with. I am truly grateful for each and every one of you. It is my honor to be a part of your celebrations. Wishing you a joyful holiday filled with love and abundance.
Comments