Learn how to carve a turkey in 6 easy steps!
You know that moment at the dinner table when everyone is sitting around the turkey, waiting with anticipation for it to be carved? Are you the one standing there with knife and fork in hand, beads of sweat beginning to form on your forehead and upper lip, as you realize you are the center of attention and have absolutely no idea how to begin? I mean, it looks so easy when other people do it, serving up perfectly sliced pieces, handing them out with grace. But now that you're at the head of the table, where do you start? How do you save face and serve the bird without making a mess of it all?
I'm here to help. This was my first turkey too, and it was easier than I thought! So just follow along, and we'll take this one side at a time.
You know that moment at the dinner table when everyone is sitting around the turkey, waiting with anticipation for it to be carved? Are you the one standing there with knife and fork in hand, beads of sweat beginning to form on your forehead and upper lip, as you realize you are the center of attention and have absolutely no idea how to begin? I mean, it looks so easy when other people do it, serving up perfectly sliced pieces, handing them out with grace. But now that you're at the head of the table, where do you start? How do you save face and serve the bird without making a mess of it all?
I'm here to help. This was my first turkey too, and it was easier than I thought! So just follow along, and we'll take this one side at a time.
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: The Drumstick
First of all, I recommend a cutting board with a well around it to catch all of the juices that are going to run off from your bird. And there will be a lot of juices. Learn from my mistake.
Secondly, you don't need a special knife or fork for this. A butcher's knife is great, and a table fork will work just fine. But if you're in it for the glory, might as well go big and get the bone-carved handle set, right?
OK, let's get started.
Let's aim for the low hanging fruit first, and remove that drumstick. It's easily identifiable and you can pretty much just pull the sucker off with your hands. But let's attempt this with a scoach more grace (a Scooch more grace?).
Pull the drumstick towards you and away from the turkey, using your knife to slice away the connecting skin.
Slowly cut through the meat surrounding the joint until it is exposed.
Cut through the joint (or just pop it out using force) and remove the drumstick.
Whew, that was easy. Let's continue.
Secondly, you don't need a special knife or fork for this. A butcher's knife is great, and a table fork will work just fine. But if you're in it for the glory, might as well go big and get the bone-carved handle set, right?
OK, let's get started.
Let's aim for the low hanging fruit first, and remove that drumstick. It's easily identifiable and you can pretty much just pull the sucker off with your hands. But let's attempt this with a scoach more grace (a Scooch more grace?).
Pull the drumstick towards you and away from the turkey, using your knife to slice away the connecting skin.
Slowly cut through the meat surrounding the joint until it is exposed.
Cut through the joint (or just pop it out using force) and remove the drumstick.
Whew, that was easy. Let's continue.
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
Peace, Love and Turkey!
GREAT "instructable" I love the little trick of cutting over the breast bone and then slicing into the cut...... happy thanksgiving to all...