Chefs’ Tips for Cooking an Amazing Thanksgiving Turkey

Chicken stock. Brining. High temperature. Or low temperature. When it comes to getting the most flavorful, juicy turkey this Thanksgiving, professional chefs have varying opinions.

Chefs including Bobby Flay, Daniel Boulud, and Meatball Shop co-founders Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow gave their tips and tricks to cooking delicious turkey in this video for Bon Appétit.

One must-have in your holiday kitchen, according to Flay: “Hot chicken stock.” The Food Network star — who roasts several turkeys for dinner — carves up some of the meat and places it on trays, then pours chicken stock over the meat to keep the slices warm and tasty.

Chefs like Holzman, Chernow and Mission Chinese chef Danny Bowien all like to brine, but their recipes and processes all vary.

As for cooking times, those vary, too. Some say start at a high temperature and reduce the heat, others say cook low and slow.

No matter the technique, the chefs all have the same goal for their turkeys: “Golden brown and delicious, that’s what we’re looking for on Thanksgiving,” Chernow says.

For more on Thanksgiving turkey, check out these stories:

How to Properly Thaw a Turkey

How to Get a Flavorful Turkey Without Cooking Stuffing Inside the Bird

Behind the Scenes at the Butterball Turkey Talk Line