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Thanksgiving Turkey, Potatoes, and Gravy

published by Ruby Hawk on Nov 26, 2008

I hope these tips will be helpful to those of you who are cooking your first Thanksgiving Dinner. It can be intimidating at first, but with a little practice you will soon be a pro. Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Day is almost upon us and for those of you who are making your first Thanksgiving dinner a few tips may come in handy. Your first concern will be your turkey. Although it is pretty straight forward, for your first time you might need instructions to bring that perfect turkey to the table.

1. Place the oven rack in the lowest position and preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

2. Remove gizzard, neck and heart. Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water and pat dry.

3. Stuff butter and herbs between the skin and the meat, rub olive oil on the bird, and season with salt and pepper.

4. Transfer the turkey, breast side up, to a rack in a roasting pan. Tuck the wings under the breast, and tie the drumsticks together loosely.

5. Roast the turkey 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and cook until juice runs clear, or until the internal temperature of the dark meat is at least 165 degrees.

6. Cover the bird with foil and let it stand at least 30 minutes before carving. Use this time to reheat your sides.

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Read more in Main Course
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1. Peel, slice your potatoes and boil them about 35 minutes or until tender.

2. Start with room temperature butter and a small amount of 140 degree milk or cream while you mash the potatoes, and then add enough additional warm liquid to create a creamy mixture.

3. Add salt and pepper to taste.

4. Add all ingredients while your cooked potatoes are hot, otherwise they will be lumpy.

Turkey Gravy

1. Cook your turkey giblets with a chopped onion and celery for your broth or use canned broth.

2. Bring 1 quart broth to a low simmer.

3. In a small bowl stir together 3 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup warm water until smooth.

4. With a wire whisk, gradually add the cornstarch mixture in thirds to the simmering broth.

5. Stir well and return to simmer after each addition, until gravy reaches desired thickness. Continue 3 to 5 minutes.

6. If the gravy is too thick, add more broth or water until desired consistency.

7. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

16 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

  1. # 1 by Bernadette Louise
    November 26th, 2008 at 7:13 am #

    Sounds great, can’t wait

  2. # 2 by lanne
    November 26th, 2008 at 7:53 am #

    Nice, useful tips Ruby.

  3. # 3 by Christine Ramsay
    November 26th, 2008 at 8:47 am #

    We don’t have Thanksgiving in England but these are useful tips for our Christmas turkeys. Thank you for sharing.

  4. # 4 by lindalulu
    November 26th, 2008 at 8:57 am #

    Yummy, Ruby…Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

  5. # 5 by Mary Patricia Bird
    November 26th, 2008 at 10:51 am #

    Thanks for this. Though we Canadians had Thanksgiving in October, this will be my first Christmas at home with just my own little family and I will be making my first attempt at cooking a turkey. This will surely help. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

  6. # 6 by goodselfme
    November 26th, 2008 at 12:01 pm #

    How sweet of you to do such a detailed write for first timers with much encouragement too. Blessings, happy thanksgiving.

  7. # 7 by CA Johnson
    November 26th, 2008 at 5:30 pm #

    These are great tips. They are very useful for those cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time.

  8. # 8 by Chris Stonecipher
    November 26th, 2008 at 7:40 pm #

    Great tips for for time Thanksgiving cookers. Thanks Ruby!
    I hope your Thanksgiving is a wonderful one filled with your loved ones.
    God Bless,
    Chris

  9. # 9 by Eunice Tan
    November 26th, 2008 at 8:31 pm #

    Wonderful recipes. Thanks a lot Ruby

  10. # 10 by joystick7
    November 26th, 2008 at 10:10 pm #

    Good Tips!

  11. # 11 by eddiego65
    November 27th, 2008 at 7:37 am #

    Great recipe! Sounds delicious!

  12. # 12 by NA Staffieri
    November 27th, 2008 at 11:43 am #

    This can eliminate a lot of phone calls to Moms everywhere.
    Thanks, Ruby.

  13. # 13 by Darlene McFarlane
    November 27th, 2008 at 6:12 pm #

    These are great tips, Ruby and anyone who is cooking their first Thanksgiving meal would be lucky to have this as a guide.

  14. # 14 by Ruby Hawk
    November 27th, 2008 at 7:58 pm #

    Thank you my friends for your time and your comments. I hope everyone is having a wonderful day even if it is not a holiday in your country. It is a beautiful sunny day here and about 45 degrees. We have been out for a walk by the creek. The squirrels were out hiding acorns and climbing trees. Ya’ll take care, Ruby

  15. # 15 by PR Mace
    November 28th, 2008 at 8:22 pm #

    Good tips, my daughter cooked her first Thanksgiving dinner and it was great. Good post.

  16. # 16 by roberto sardelli
    November 29th, 2008 at 2:35 pm #

    great article with great advice, well put together

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