All About Turkey - Free Guide
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Recipe Video:
Pumpkin Ginger Tart


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Pumpkin Ginger Tart Recipe

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Create a free online account to access ChefsLine's members-only All About Turkey Guide. In our guide you will find expert, detailed answers to common turkey questions. Join ChefsLine for free and get access to this guide and members-only recipes, podcasts, and your own recipe box!

The All About Turkey Guide Features:

  • Turkey Step by Step.
  • To Stuff Or Not To Stuff?
  • How Long to Cook Your Turkey.
  • How to Brine with Recipes.
  • How much Turkey to Buy
  • What's the best way to thaw turkey? Preview by listening to our podcast (audio)
  • What's the proper way to stuff a turkey?
  • Special considerations for conventional ovens, convection ovens, and deep fryers.
  • Carving How-To.
  • Do's and Don't For Deep Frying.

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Guide to Do-Ahead Dishes and Reheating   Print Version

Freeze*

Refrigerate

Reheat** Microwave

Reheat Oven

Reheat Stovetop

Pie Crust

Yes, up to 2 months. Double wrap. Can roll and store or prepare in pie pan and then freeze. Defrost in refrigerator overnight before rolling.

Can be refrigerated overnight either rolled out in a pie plate or as a flattened ball.

No.

NA

NA

Rolls

Yes. Good recipes are rolls such as Parkerhouse yeast rolls. These can be cooked and then frozen.

Better not to, can be stored for a day in plastic bag at room temperature.

No.

Heat oven to 350F and warm for 10 minutes.

NA

Stuffing

Stuffing can be frozen after being cooked for up to one month.  Or uncooked stuffing ingredients can be frozen separately.

Stuffing can be assembled and refrigerated up to 24 hours before cooking

High heat for 3 minutes.  Stir thoroughly and cook on high heat for 2 more minutes

Add ¼ cup of chicken stock or water, stir and cover.  Bake at 350 for 10-15  minutes or until warmed through.

NA

Turkey Gravy

Do not freeze, or thicken with arrowroot instead of flour.

Yes.

Yes. Heat on high for two minutes. Stir. Heat for another minute or two.

NA

Yes. Warm in a sauce pan over medium-low heat (do not boil) stirring frequently until hot.

Butternut Squash Soup

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Heat on high for 2 minutes. Stir. Heat for another 2 minutes.

Cranberry Sauce

Not recommended.

Yes

NA

NA

NA

Mashed Potatoes

Yes.

Yes. 

Yes. Heat for 3 minutes on high, stir, and heat another 2 minutes on high.

Yes. Heat oven to 350F. Spread in a casserole and heat for 30 minutes. Stir before serving.

Yes. Warm in a sauce pan over low heat stirring frequently until hot.

Turkey Breast

Yes. Thaw for at least two days in refrigerator. 

Yes.

Yes. Should be sliced before heating. Spread on a plate, cover, and heat at medium for 3 minutes. Rotate 1/4 turn and heat at medium for another 3 minutes.

No.   

NA 

Turkey

Yes. Thaw for 2 - 4 days in refrigerator.  

Yes.

Yes. Should be sliced before heating. Spread on a plate, cover, and heat at medium for 3 minutes. Rotate 1/4 turn and heat at medium for another 3 minutes.

No. 

NA 

Sweet Potato or Yam Casserole

Yes.

Yes. 

Yes. Heat for 3 minutes on high, stir, and heat another 2 minutes on high.

Yes. Heat oven to 350F. Spread in a casserole and heat for 30 - 45 minutes. Stir before serving.

Yes. Warm in a sauce pan over low heat stirring frequently until hot.

Green Beans

Yes. 

Yes. 

Heat at high for 3 minutes. Stir. Heat another 3 minutes at high. 

Yes. Heat oven to 350F. Spread in a casserole, cover, and heat for 30 - 45 minutes.

Yes. Warm in a sauce pan over low heat stirring frequently until hot.

Brussels Sprouts

Yes. 

Yes. 

Heat at high for 3 minutes. Stir. Heat another 3 minutes at high.  

Yes. Heat oven to 350F. Spread in a casserole, cover, and heat for 30 - 45 minutes. 

No. 

Turkey Brine

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

Roasted Root Vegetables

Yes. 

Yes 

Heat at high for 3 minutes. Stir. Heat another 3 minutes at high.  

Yes. Heat oven to 350F. Spread in a casserole, cover, and heat for 30 - 45 minutes. 

No. 

*Unless otherwise specified, anything that is frozen should be thawed for 24 hours in the refrigerator before heating.

**Microwave ovens vary in size, power, and general heating characteristics so it is impossible to provide perfect instructions for heating food in one. But in general:

1)      Solid meat (such as turkey( should be heated at medium and only until thoroughly warm -- not hot. High power will dry out and toughen meat. If your oven doesn’t have a carousel, rotate the plat half way through the heating period.

2)      Vegetables can be heated on high, but should generally be stirred half-way through the heating period.

Carving How-To

If you have questions while you are carving, give us a call. One of the initial inspirations behind ChefsLine was Chef Cary. Chef Cary Wolfson coached a frantic friend through the entire process of de-boning a turkey. Trust us - we can help you every step of the way to dinner time!

First, unhinge the legs and remove the entire leg (thigh and leg) at the joint which can be found at the base of the thigh. Gently pull apart the leg and the joint will become visible. Using a sharp carving knife, cut just past the joint ball and the entire leg will separate easily. Repeat steps for the other leg. Set aside for carving later.

Second, remove both the wings by making a cut , again at the joint, where the wing meets the upper breast. Repeat steps for the other wing. Set aside for later use.

Third, once both legs and wings are removed, the breast will be easily accessed. First, make a deep horizontal cut at the base of the breast. Then carve the breast by making thin or thick vertical slices downward that meet the initial horizontal cut. This will insure beautiful even slices even a butcher will be proud of!

Fourth, to carve the leg, separate the leg from the thigh by making a cut just at the base of the joint and cut through. The thigh since it is more muscular will not yield the even slices as attained by the breast. We suggest cutting along the bone and make as even uniform slices as possible.

Fifth, the leg will be very fibrous, so we suggest, cutting off all the meat best as possible, then remove the thin bone like filaments that will be imbedded in the meat.

Lastly, remember, no matter how you carve it, the turkey will be delicious, so don't be intimidated.

How do I store leftover turkey and sides properly?

  • Discard, any and all food that has been standing at room temperature for more than 2 hours; with the exception of undressed salads and breads.
  • Store leftovers individually with like items only, i.e., meats, stuffing, vegetables, to insure even reheating and to prevent spoiling. Storing in smaller portions in shallow sealed containers is recommended for speedy cooling time and easy defrosting for frozen items.
  • Refrigerated turkey and all sides within 3 to 4 days, and gravy within 1 to 2 days.
  • Freezing leftovers? Use within 3 months for best quality.

How can I reheat my do-ahead dishes before dinner?

See our Guide to Do-Ahead Dishes and Reheating