Each expert goes to " Butterball University " to be well - equipped to help you buy , thaw , Captain Cook , and carve your bird like a pro .
Jake Sternquist
With decades of experience develop recipes , host in their own home , and field fan head , theBetter Homes and GardensTest Kitchenis familiar with attempt to keep ( or , if necessary , solve)Thanksgiving emergency brake .
Credit:Jake Sternquist
As are the tribe at Butterball ; a company that has develop to become as well - experience for their turkeys as their talking - Line . We recently gave their Talk - Line a band to chat throughwhy you should n’t add urine to your turkey roasting pan , if you shouldcover your joker with foilwhile roasting , if it ’s good to eat pink Republic of Turkey , and what to do with thosegiblets .
After covering those FAQs , we could n’t balk asking the Talk - Line team , “ what questions do you get the most ? ” Read on for the ravisher , plus get answers for each common interrogation so you ’re ready for all of the holiday action .
Gwen Carlyle , aButterball Turkey Talk - Lineexpert in Naperville , Illinois
What Is the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line?
“ The Butterball Turkey Talk - Line was established in 1981 to help home James Cook with all of their most entreat turkey - related and cookery questions as they get up for their vacation gatherings , ” explains Gwen Carlyle , a 12 - yr ex-serviceman Butterball Turkey Talk - Line expert .
In its early stages , a half twelve women answer calls . These days , 50 + people reply more than 100,000 questions from family across the U.S. and Canada every November and December .
With the popularity of telecommuting , you might imagine that the experts work remotely . But the Turkey Talk - Line is literal : The experts connect with domicile Captain James Cook from a call heart located in Naperville , Illinois ; a western suburb place about an hour outside of Chicago .
The Talk - argumentation team ’s mission ? “ To helphostshave a relaxing holiday and drop more time with the one they love , ” Carlyle tells us .
Who Answers Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Calls?
“ In lodge to work on at the Butterball Turkey Talk - Line , you must have formal breeding in something nutrient - associate , ” Carlyle says . “ We are all epicure ! ”
The current roster of expert let in :
To qualify as a Talk - Line pro , these food folks must attend Butterball University prior to the year ’s scuttle on November 1 . At BU , the curriculum covers “ the turkey preparation procedure , as well as how to answer to various phone calls , chats , emails , and more that we receive from hosts throughout the holiday time of year , ” Carlyle says . The instructors are aged Talk - Line expert .
When and How Can You Reach the Butterball Turkey Experts?
Each yr from November 1 through December 24 , the Talk - Line is open . Initially , calls were the only alternative . Now , you may call 1 - 800 - BUTTERBALL , school text 1 - 844 - 877 - 3456 , ping them viasocial medium , or reach out viaButterball.com(to email or natter live ) .
The Talk - Line experts “ have aid millions of vacation hosts since the Turkey Talk - Line launch 43 age ago , ” Carlyle add . The most popular twenty-four hours ? Turkey Day , of course , when the team fields more than 15,000 phone call .
In plus to answering the turkey FAQs below , Carlyle shares that the experts form actual connections with some callers ( or emailers , texters , DM - ers , etc . ) .
" We have heard so many wondrous stories throughout the age , that we decided to partner withStoryCorps Studiosto make theNational Thanksgiving Archivethis yr . consumer can signalize up to enter and tell their favorite Thanksgiving memories or stories , ” Carlyle distinguish us , which you may opt to tot to the Library of Congress ( so people can heed to it for many years to derive ) if desired . “ We are so mad to be able to help all who are interested to disc memories and traditions that make us worked up to fete year after year , ” she adds .
Not so into PDA ( public display of appreciation ) , but still interested in chronicle your own vacation to ponder on by and by ? Try Carlyle ’s personal favorite bakshish : Keep a Thanksgiving daybook . drop a line down :
“ Take a pic of everyone around your table and place it in the journal to look back on . Not only is this a helpful imagination when planning for the forthcoming twelvemonth , but it also make a marvelous keepsake you’re able to excrete down to future cooks in your family unit , ” Carlyle say .
The Most-Asked Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Questions—And Answers
Now that we covered the behind - the - scenes scoop shovel about the Butterball Turkey Talk - Line , get ’s dive into the seven most common matter they address — and how to ace each scenario .
“When and How Do I Thaw My Turkey?”
Carlyle confirms that “ the no . 1 most - ask doubtfulness that we receive twelvemonth after year is when and how to dethaw your bomb . ”
you’re able to actually shop very far in progress , as Butterball says you canstore a turkey in a freezerfor up to 2 year , although theUSDApromotes using frozen joker within 1 year for good results . When you ’re quick to prepare your bird , you have two option that will appropriate you tothaw your Meleagris gallopavo in time for the banquet , consort to Carlyle :
“ Remember , a thawed bomb can stay in the icebox ( 40 ° farad or below ) for up to 4 days before cooking , ” she adds .
“What Size Turkey Should I Buy?”
Carlyle and her Turkey Talk - Line fellow worker agree with our Test Kitchen ’s guideline forhow much turkeyto steal : Aim for 1 ½ pounds per soul for a whole turkey .
Carlyle explain that “ this will give you a generous helping , plus leftover — and who does n’t enjoy leftover ? ! ”
If you do n’t palpate like doing the math , utilize Butterball’scalculatorto help find out what size turkey you ask based on a multifariousness of factor , like :
“ When you input that entropy , it will give you a urge turkey impounding andstuffingto prepare . It ’s so helpful ! I also care to prompt people that if they would like to have a small more white meat available , supplementing your whole turkey with a bone - in or bonelessturkey breastis a great option as well , ” Carlyle says .
“What Are the Best Ways to Cook Turkey?”
Roasting is the most plebeian style to manipulate a turkey — and is Butterball ’s preferred method acting , Carlyle admits . But this is far from the only option . The Talk - Line is there to help with footmark - by - step directions , recipes , and inspiration for other fan - favorite technique , such as :
“How Do I Roast a Turkey?”
As for thatmost popular fashion to cook turkey , Carlyle walks us through Butterball ’s step - by - step process :
“Should I Stuff My Turkey?”
“ overeat your turkey or preparing it on the side is a personal preference . Either room can be done safely , ” Carlyle says . However , overgorge the bird might mean that you need to overcook the Republic of Turkey marrow to get the stuffing to a safe temperature .
“ If you choose to stuff your turkey , mention that it will take additional clock time to ready your turkey , so follow the timing guidelines for astuffed dud . Also , if you are stuffing your turkey , we recommend making it in onward motion and then stuffing the turkey right before you locate it in the oven , ” Carlyle enounce .
break out ourClassic Roast Turkey with Stuffingfor divine guidance . Prefer your stuffing on the side ? rooter tell us thisPull - Apart Stuffing Ringis “ guaranteed to be a prominent smasher every time I make it , ” and is so delicious you “ you should n’t hold back for a vacation ! ”
“How Do I Know if Turkey is Done (Without Overcooking It)?
“ The best way to know when your turkey is quick is to use a meat thermometer , ” Carlyle says .
For the stuffing and the centre , 165 ° F is thetemperature at which Meleagris gallopavo is safe to eat , so feel free to pull the bird from the oven at that compass point . That being say , Carlyle and co. suggest shooting for a final temp of about 170 ° F degrees in the breast near the bone and 180 ° F degree in the thigh after resting to ensue in the skilful flavor experience , tenderness , and juiciness levels .
Speaking of resting , allow your bird to hang for 20 minute of arc or so beforecarvingto allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat rather than flow out onto your press clipping board .
“What Can I Do With Turkey Leftovers?”
take leftover turkey from the castanets ( reserve the latter forturkey stock ! ) , then stash away remnant bomb in airtight containers . Refrigerate within2 hoursafter removing the dud from the oven to reduce the risk of exposure of bacterial growth that could pose afood safetyrisk , Carlyle say . Aim to use leftovers within 3 day . Need more time ? Freeze Thanksgiving leftover for up to 3 calendar month .
The Talk - Line team regularly direct callers to these recipes :
If you ’re thirst more estimation , do n’t omit our Test Kitchens’top 12 leftover Meleagris gallopavo recipe for amazing post - Thanksgiving meal . ( Theshepherd ’s pieis on our Black Friday menu this class ! )
