Best Thanksgiving Turkey Ever - Tender & Moist - Short Bake Time - Deconstructed

Best Thanksgiving Turkey Ever
Completely thaw the turkey according to package directions. Remove all packaging, neck, pack of organs, etc. from inside the bird. Using warm water, wash the bird thoroughly.
Deconstruct the bird, first removing both legs/thighs. Next remove both breasts. Finally, remove both wings. (Save the carcass, as well as the neck and organs, to make turkey stock if you wish.)
Place all six pieces, skin side up, on a rack over a sheet pan. GENEROUSLY salt both sides of each piece using Kosher Salt. Place in your refrigerator, UNcovered and leave it overnight until you are ready to cook the turkey the next day. (Do NOT cover the turkey!!!)
The next day, heat a couple of tablespoons of oil in a large skillet(s) over medium high heat, place pieces, a few at a time (whatever will fit), in the skillet(s) skin side DOWN and brown for 5 to 10 minutes just until lightly browned. (Brown ONLY on the skin side.)
Once the skin side is browned, transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet, placing the pieces SKIN SIDE DOWN. Bake at 450°. Breast and wings will take approximately 25 - 35 minutes depending on their size and thickness to reach an internal temperature of 160°. Use an inserted meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat to make sure it registers 160°. (Try not to go much over 160° or it will become dry.) The leg/thigh pieces will take approximately 50 - 60 minutes and need to reach an internal temperature of 190°.
As the pieces reach their required internal temperature, remove them from the oven and tent them with foil. This allows them to “rest” for the juices to reabsorb. The pieces will continue to rise in temperature for a few more minutes. I recommend waiting 30 to 40 minutes before slicing the meat. 
Place pieces on a nice platter to serve at the table.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Come Sit At My Table
P.O. Box 1041
Mt. Sterling, KY 40353
#deconstructedturkey #thanksgiving #turkey
#tender #moist #maindish #howtocookaturkey


[@carolynadkins1887]

ahh, the joy of cooking! I’m the cook in our family. I’ve sacrificed cooking lots of meals after working midnight shifts & going back in the same day. I loved watching my family enjoy their favorite dishes. I’ve retired from nursing, lost some family members😢, but I’ll have dinner prepared for my family, friends, whoever is hungry. I’m blessed ❤ Happy Thanksgiving.

[@lovelylyrics1687]

What a sweet thing to do I know they appreciate it and enjoy it more than you will ever really know. 💕 Have a blessed holiday

[@FloJoBum]

That is so wonderful 😊

[@jandyer5322]

Turkeu how to cut & bake😢😢😢😮

[@keithrowe4317]

No Tom & Melissa, we appreciate u guys showing us new methods of prepping a turkey & coming out of it with great results- too bad I didn’t do this at Canadian Thanksgiving last month….Hey we all learn! Happy Thanksgiving guys!!

[@patrussell364]

Hi Tom and Melissa 😊 Happy early Thanksgiving day.That turkey 🦃 breast looks so moist and juicy.l have never seen it cooked that way before.Im going to give it a try.Thanks for sharing this recipe 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👍😊🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃

[@JolovesDecor]

Have a very blessed, and healthy Thanksgiving. I buy extra turkeys at Thanksgiving. We had someone smoke ours this year. I’m definitely trying this with the extra turkeys I purchased. Looked amazing, plus it will save so much time on the big day. I boil my carcass like you. If you’re a chicken and dumpling fan, you’ve never had them until you use the stock from the turkey carcass. It’s become a tradition to have dumplings a few days after Thanksgiving now at our house. God bless y’all.

[@chriscanfield8472]

You two do such a wonderful job with your videos. Please keep doing what you are doing. As always thanks for sharing.

[@aliwehr561]

Great presentation, Tom! Looks just scrumptious! You and Mellisa have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family! God bless you!

[@cwolf8936]

Hi Tom and Melissa, thank you for all the tips and suggestions!! Great job!! Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!🦃🥰

[@hjb1720]

We used this recipe this year. The turkey was so juicy and you are correct, don’t think I will be cooking it any other way again. Thank you for sharing with us. I look forward to more recipes to come. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

[@Areanelf]

Happy almost turkey day! Thanks for all the memories created by preparing your myriad of special recipes. Take care of yourselves, you sound as if your coming down with something💌

[@mariarugolo2487]

Love your videos! May your Thanksgiving be especially blessed!

[@markwedlock8808]

Tom, if you use a smaller knife it would make the task a lot easier. But this sounds very good. I'm going to have to try this.

[@alisonpovey1234]

Hi Melissa and Tom. Happy Thanksgiving. We in NZ don't celebrate Thanksgiving, but it sure would be good to. We have so much to be grateful here that we take for granted. The top of my list is the freedom to worship God as my savior, then the freedom of speech. And the privilege of living in such a beautiful land and family and friends. There are so many things. Thank you for taking the time out of your lives to bring to us your yummy dishes and allowing us to " sit at your table."😊😊❤❤

[@lisaburmann1469]

There is a lot to say about this turkey!! First of all, my husband and son, who hate turkey, absolutely loved this, and would be willing to eat it not on Thanksgiving!! so juicy and so flavorful. Then our family who came over for Thanksgiving was amazed at just how good this turkey is! Thanks so much Tom and Melissa for your recipes we cooked three of them for thanksgiving, and they were just outstanding. ❤❤❤

[@susiemccoy7]

Tom you do such an amazing job explaining your recipes step by step. After watching you I think I could do this. This looks delicious. My sister ,son, his family & I made a Thanksgiving meal today. You mind making more videos for families of 2? Thank you both. Tom, I like the sweater.

[@genevievedarrett3163]

Yes ,that carcass with all them goodies will make a beautiful stock .And smelling it simmer all day ,ummmmmm gooooood! Happy Thanksgiving 😊 ❤ from Indiana .God has blessed us all this year . 🙏 🙌 Love watching you .

[@sozod2000]

I made it this past Thanksgiving and I got SO MANY COMPLIMENTS!!!! Thank you 🎉 I will always make it this way. And the left over meat made wonderful turkey soup and bone broth🙌🏼

[@zullo3529]

I’m another Melissa! I love turkey also. And the day after turkey day I love the leftovers!! Warm some up and load it with gravy! Oh the pounds!! Oh well. Diet until Christmas!! Tom it sounds like you have a cold or sinus infection. Hope you feel better soon. Thanks Tom and Melissa 🦃🙏🙏

[@lindamiles5253]

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving from E. Tennessee

[@karenbissell6224]

I enjoy your videos. Happy Thanksgiving🦃

[@marykaybaker1900]

Looks delicious!! You are such a great cooking teacher!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!❤

[@billiecatcher6131]

Love your videos.

[@peter-fuppe-fuchs]

Yummy 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤

[@Salmomlox]

Hi Tom and Melissa. What a unique way to cook a turkey. I bet I could use this same technique with a turkey breast. We are a family two and don't always cook a full turkey. Thank you for sharing this technique with us. Have an awesome day. Hope you are feeling better, Tom. Thank you for the recipe Melissa. 🥰🥰

[@crissytate4933]

Ty for sharing you out done yourself ❤ what a great way for tender moist turkey God Bless And Happy Thanksgiving to you both❤

[@leahwhiteley5164]

I thought the same thing!

[@JulieStone-tc5vd]

You guys are so fun to watch and so informative. We can tell you're having a good time and makes me want to get cooking! Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

[@Daywater1975]

Followed your method step by step. The turkey turned out AMAZING!! Thank you so much!!

[@brianburmingham-nn1mb]

I used to be a meat cutter in a grocery store, I could cut a chicken up in less than 4 seconds! Watching u butcher this turkey was amusing! I’m not making fun of you, your videos are always interesting and informative!

[@VJaber]

Well, I learned a lot. I've never seen this technique before, but I'm inclined to try it. I would imagine you could do a chicken or hen this way too. Do you know if that would work? Thanks, again.

[@LoriCurtiss-xz6xm]

Glad Turkey is not limited to Thanksgiving only, as I’m about to try this. I began thawing a Turkey Friday night. So glad you shared this. God bless you both !

[@comesitatmytable9044]

Hope you enjoy it like we do. And I agree with you. I love turkey all year long.

[@pvjohnson52]

Looks so good. Turkey gravy is the best gravy around. Growing up, my mom would always give me about a fourth a cup of the turkey broth and would let me drink it because I loved it so much. 😊😊😊

[@bridgetrodriguez4643]

I absolutely love how u guys break everything down.

[@comesitatmytable9044]

Thank you so much for the nice words. We really appreciate that you are watching our channel. We hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

[@karibachinski2793]

Tom, you sound hoarse! Hopefully not coming down with something before Thanksgiving! Blessings to you and Melissa, thank you for all your great videos!

[@janemartin229]

I can just imagine your former students cracking up when you talked about flipping the bird! There's only 2 of us, so I will probably just cook a turkey breast. I did one in my Air Fryer, and it came out so good, I might just do it again! This is a great way to do a big turkey--often the breast overcooks while waiting for the dark meat to come to temp.

[@murlthomas2243]

I always dry brine my turkey. I leave it whole though.

[@garbostyle1]

I've seen this technique covered before but not nearly as thoroughly or as well as you did here. Lots of important info was not included by the others that would seriously alter the outcome. (They left out the salt part because they don't eat salt. They also didn't brown the skin.) Thank you so much for taking the time to explain why you do this or that. My favorite tv cooking show was always Alton Brown because he explained not only the how to but the why, basically the science and the chemistry of cooking and baking. You do the same thing and that's why yours is my favorite youtube cooking show.

[@bobbieprice5846]

Mp009kkkk

[@bobbieprice5846]

😊😊Cranberry sauce

[@joanmarkiewicz3042]

Fantastic video, Tom & Melissa. I watch every single video you post & continue to learn. This one is amazing. Will do! Joan & Dennis from NY. 😊

[@lindasegraves6207]

Tom you sound hoarse I hope you are feeling better and I wish You & Melissa a Happy Thanksgiving. My Daddy was a lead cook for well known large restaurants and then before changing professions he cooked for as many as 500 men on oil rigs. He was the best cook. He could cut-up a turkey or chicken beautifully but his daughter (me) can't. Even after him showing me how a couple times. His turkey or ham was tender and out of this world. I am a great southern country cook ha that is what a butcher is for just ask them to cut-up your turkey, lol. My husband still talks about missing certain things Daddy cooked. I just miss talking to Daddy & Mama which he does to. Thanks Tom & Melissa

[@lauraanderson2429]

I made the breast of Turkey. It was so easy and delicious. Thanks for showing a much simpler way of creating a Thanksgiving tradition.

[@sherryarritt]

I am so glad you shared your deconstructed turkey recipe. We had to postpone our Thanksgiving dinner with our adult children. I am looking forward to fixing our turkey just like yours! For years, we have brined our birds in a huge pot with water. It is so much work and messy. One year, our border collie, "Thistle", found it sitting on the back porch (no room in the refrigerator)_ on this 35 degree day. He knocked the lid off the giant pot and proceeded to gnaw the skin off the back. We had placed the turkey Breast-side down in the brine, so we didn't tell anyone what happened. The meat was wonderful. We love to share this hilarious story about our beloved pet.

[@jaimiebeavers3852]

Well, you were right! I'll never do a turkey any other way. It turned out just like you said it would. Absolutely delicious! I'm sharing this with all my friends! Thank you.

[@within360]

I picked up a fresh turkey breast from a nearby farm and I am going to brine and bake it for our Christmas dinner. I really appreciate the videos you and your wife produce. Weave in a few more stories and anecdotes and you probably build your audience even more. It is all about the two of you and your personalities anyway. Well, I shouldn't sell the delicious food short, I suppose that has something to do with it.😁

[@kathynorris8383]

Now, was this just done early for videoing purposes or are you serving this turkey on Thanksgiving Day? If so, how will you heat it up to keep it moist? If you are cooking it on Thanksgiving Day, it does seem to save a lot of time!

[@shelleyathari5126]

Tried this method. Easiest, moistest turkey ever. And the cleanup after dinner was so much better. I made stock with carcass and used it for turkey noodle soup and it was perfect. Thank you

[@patriciabowman9218]

So here is the final chapter in dry brining turkey😢 I may never do that again. It was very salty. Too salty for us but it did get very tender like you said going to try and make it again without as much salt and with other spices. Going to buy another turkey and make it a couple different ways and see how that goes. Thank you for the idea it was wonderful. I made a heck of a mess. Legs slipped out of the grease when everywhere on the floor on the stove inside the window the stove and the outside on my floor all over my legs LOL was like a comedy Act. Anyway I tried it, and it was very good but yeah I know and I think I overdid it I should have taken it out sooner so, not your fault LOL just an old lady who wasn't fast enough

[@SandiSquiller-zs1zu]

Enjoy you God bless you asking for prayers I’ve been badly hurt and are going to have surgery on Monday it will be a miracle if things are good thank you 🙏

[@jeanilouva9751]

Wonderful looking turkey. I'm going to try it. I smiled when you said the kids took home all the leftovers. My son and daughter did the same to me this Thanksgiving. I turned the tables, so to speak, at Christmas time. For the first time, we did Christmas at my daughter's house. I arrived with an empty 9 x 13 disposable aluminum pan. My daughter asked what the pan was for and I said for "my leftovers" to take home. She looked at me sideways, and I said, " Yes, I'm taking home that much leftovers. "

[@sourdoughdogs7879]

I smile when I see a new post from you! I love using organ parts to make goblet gravy.

[@suellenw561]

So often I think "that's like Mom made," but she never cooked a turkey that way. Thanks.

[@ellenlartz2499]

My late father was a professional butcher for most of his adult life. I watched him do cutting on many different types of meat for our holiday meals. Thanks for bringing back good memories for me. Miss you Dad ❤️💯 !!

[@lovelylyrics1687]

This is good idea and you can control the cooking time and make sure it's done. I love that idea

[@mangotree2110]

G'day from Australia 🇦🇺 Yum, I love turkey

[@mangotree2110]

111.000 thousand subscribers now ! WOO HOO !!!

[@vickifrakes9488]

You sound better than last video. Hope you are feeling better.

[@debragreen7272]

I was so excited when I heard someone else say “well I’ll be dadgum! “ I say that often!

[@lilasalvador7036]

Our Thanksgiving is over it was wonderful and we were Blessed

[@susanstaley9810]

Happy Turkey Day! Tom & Melissa. Great recipe👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@sammyhakimvlogs5608]

This is definitely a great way to prepare a Thanksgiving Turkey Mr. Tom.

[@karonspisak3379]

You are very descriptive. Makes this very helpful.

[@dolliemaesone]

That tip on the wing is good carcass! Yum thank you Tom and Melissa 😊

[@libbystarke2034]

I'm officially hungry. That looks fabulous

[@loraselby8254]

You can just pass the end over to me! My favorite!

[@normastilwell246]

Looks fantastic and so juicy! New method I've never seen. You also don't have to get that big bird in and out of the oven.

[@PretirementDays]

This is a great video. Thanks

[@aidd1938]

I always enjoy your videos and learn a lot from you. Last year I deconstructed my turkey like you did. I made the mistake of wet brining mine and it ended up too salty. I’m going to follow your method this year. Another thing I did differently was to use my pellet smoker instead of the oven, and did it at 400 deg. I liked that part of it, but I’m going to take it on up to 450 this time. Thanks for the tips! Carroll McGuire Marion, IL

[@NancyMoore-e4o]

That's a great idea. I might have to try it on our Traeger (pellet Bar-B-Q). Seems easier than tossing the whole turkey on the grill. 👍

[@aidd1938]

@@NancyMoore-e4o A Traeger is what I have and it baked it just like an oven, but lightly smoked.

[@cindyjanssen8017]

💝 Happy Thanksgiving everyone💝 😋 Happy Cooking 😊 Imagination and love are the first ingredients in every recipe👨‍🍳👩‍🍳 Enjoy all of your Family and friends during the holidays and throughout the new year's to come ❤

[@patshipp9195]

I put mine in a crockpot or instant pot for 16 to 24 hours and it makes wonderful stock PLUS the bones are so soft the outdoor stray cats love it. 💖💖👍👍💖💖

[@hsgdfgv2446]

LORD HAVE MERCY! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS GEM! I JUST LOVE BOTH OF YOU.

[@comesitatmytable9044]

Thank you for joining us at the table!

[@barryrankin587]

Hi guys, I have been deconstructing my turkey for quite a few years now. We have a turkey butchering plant close to our home and have a big sale the week of thanksgiving. I buy a 30 lb turkey every year. The breast weigh about 5 or 6 lbs a piece. I cook one for thanksgiving and one at Christmas. I debone the thighs and vac seal for later use and the legs and wings get brined and smoke to use in bean soup later. I use the carcass to make broth like you but like to season and roast it first before making mine. Gives it a deeper richer flavor. It’s a lot of work, but worth it. Happy Thanksgiving

[@barbaracotham2342]

Yum yum yum 😅❤

[@susanmartinez9429]

That was awesome that your kids loved it.

[@ShirleyJDavis]

Cooking a turkey on Saturday so I watched this video again so I can remember how to cook it.

[@comesitatmytable9044]

We think turkey prepared this way is very good. We like that it's so moist. We appreciate that you are watching and we hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

[@jackielucchesi6654]

Hi Tom and Melissa......Have a Great Thanksgiving!!!!!!! TY for another great video.....Hope you are feeling better Tom......

[@susanmassey9635]

You made my tongue water! The Turkey looks delicious. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

[@deborahlevey8527]

Well,I'm ready just pulled out my turkey . it's been n my refrigerator since yesterday n I'm gonna try it ur way .can't WAIT !

[@ladysmith3578]

I’ve never seen a turkey cooked like this before. I’m not a big turkey fan but this looks better than any other way I’ve seen it prepared. I’m sharing this video with my son. He loves to try new ways to cook things. I think he’ll try it. I’ll even buy him the turkey. Thank you for sharing. God bless you and Melissa. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

[@AnahlyEstrella]

Please tell me he did

[@junebug2195]

🙏🏻🌹🙏🏻 okay, I’m hooked! I’m gonna hafta try your Turkey Procedure🌹Happy Blessed Thanksgiving, I’ll be back🌹

[@angeladotson7735]

Very good video thank u for sharing and Tom is sounding better!God bless

[@d.watson7643]

😊❤THANK YOU!!!😁...I WILL USE THIS WAY OF DRY BRINING ON A TURKEY BREAST!!!..CAN"T WAIT!!!.😁😘..HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU BOTH & YOUR FAMILY!!!😊😊❤

[@karibachinski2793]

So the only seasoning used is the kosher salt? And, could you do this if you buy just the turkey breast?

[@karibachinski2793]

This turkey was so juicy! My only mistake was using too much salt! Can you tell me approximately how much you use for when I make this next time? Thank you!

[@beckymiller128]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. What a beautiful couple. I so enjoy watching all the videos and have used a lot of the recipes. God’s bless you and your family.

[@louellarchrisman8390]

Re Thanksgiving turkey. I have a small family and will be baking a Butterball breast for Christmas. I am going to try this technique on a whole breast, and hopefully, it will come out as delicious as yours. Any suggestions? 12/3

[@LindaCanada-d7t]

Thanks for another great recipe. I will definitely try it. Think I could roast a chicken the same way!

[@christainmusic1652]

Thank You for the videos I will be trying this recipe.Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

[@michaelwoodson3871]

I put turkey in roasting pan breast down. Put 1 stick of butter inside turkey. Cover with poultry seasoning salt and pepper. Cover with tin foil. Preheat oven 250 degrees. Put in oven 10 pm. Wake up next morning Turkey is flat in pan and all is juicy and tender. Debone keep broth.

[@thomastommy1192]

Awesome video thumbs up. Very educational. Tom, I hope your voice gets better soon. I hope you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving. Stay well & safe always. Hey, How did you get to cooking the dinner before thanksgiving? lol. I had to come back and add this.

[@lauraanderson2429]

I have watched your videos and tried everything I saw. It was a absolutely delicious. I will be making Mrs. Rogers Pecan cookies for we have been invited to Thanksgiving dinner. However, I would love to try this recipe with a breast of turkey. Bet it will be delicious. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

[@rodbutler3236]

I’ve noticed that you haven’t responded to any of the 225+ comments/questions, including mine. Very disappointing!

[@rodbutler3236]

Excellent video and I’m going to give it a try. I did notice, however, that you didn’t use any seasonings. Can you briefly share why you didn’t? Thanks!

[@kesmarn]

Looks absolutely wonderful! Thank you! Now forgive me for going off topic... but I have to ask you, Tom: Did someone knit that amazing sweater for you? It looks great and fits perfectly. If that was hand made, someone is as good at knitting as you are at cooking!

[@patrickschardt7724]

Oh wow. This method is fantastic. Thanks for sharing. Hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving

[@debslinker8718]

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Tom,I am only cooking a turkey breast. I will not be taking the bones out. Will your method still work?

[@BrianJoslyn]

Now, Tom... Ya ain't supposed to cut off your own body parts! Just the birds! 🤣 I'm ready for some dark meat and the heart, liver, gizzard... mmm! I like the meat on the neck but don't like eating from the neck. I might like the white meat if it was cooked the way you showed in this video. Turkey is actually one of meats I like the least. My most preferred meat is pork. I found out, though, that bison is the healthiest meat. Anyone I've ever watched prepare a turkey for the oven has always just stuffed it, put it in a big oven pan and into the oven it went. All the carving happened after it was cooked. I definitely get using lots of salt when cooking certain things. I actually have a pacemaker, but was never told to limit my salt intake. However, it's rare of me to add salt to my food. If it's used during cooking then that's usually how I eat whatever it is I'm eating.

[@alicebackhaut7859]

Hi , I love your videos! I am trying this next week. You always tell exact details and ingredients that you use. I noted that you didn't use any pepper or garlic. Is it that it's not needed ? I ask that you please let me know as I will be making this for sure. THANK YOU

[@SparrowStockwell]

Will you freeze the meat now and reheat it on Thanksgiving? Or will you enjoy the meat this week and then deconstruct another turkey for Thanksgiving?

[@cindyostewart6806]

Hi ! Just want to wish you and your Family a Happy Thanksgiving! Turkey looks delicious 😊

[@kimwright6248]

Salt is actually good for you people! Even with heart conditions! It's better for you than the medicine you are told to take daily! 😊

[@jewelcooke7601]

Not like this, I missed the whole turkey bit that I do the bottom of the turkey pot with all of the juices of the succulent turkey on the bottom. I cook and bake my turkey upside down. It’s so tender. But. It’s always nice to try something new and I appreciate all the recipes and you do an excellent job of explaining.

[@dww2006]

Turkey time. I was hoping you would do this. Our thanksgiving was in October so all the good thanksgiving recipes were starting well after ours. ❤ ❤ My father would burn the pin feathers off with his blow torch. Rather effective. Cooking thanksgiving and Christmas turkey was his thing. Not even my mother got in the middle of his preparations. At Christmas if she was on shift on Christmas day we always took her a big plate after her rounds and the residents were fed. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🍁🍁

[@marlenemanion9776]

I really enjoy all of your recipes:-). Love how well you explain the steps for each recipe also!!

[@donnanorman340]

The only downside is all my family, like stuffing and gravy.

[@caroledwards9381]

Great method for baking a turkey! Love hearing Melissa conversing with you as you cook, but would love to see her sweet face sometime!

[@JudithBrummett]

I am the only one in my family that eats turkey (whats wrong with them!) so I do not fix it just for me. BUT! I used to make it for my mom and grandpa and I and would spatchcock it and roast it. It took much less time but I bet this would be even better. Glad you didnt get injured too badly. Hope you are feeling better from your flue as well. You are deff talking better lol.

[@firstladybug874]

Love watching and using your recipes. When you cook your turkey this way, is there enough drippings to make gravy? I’d love a video on that!