How to Cook Foster Farms Turkey?
My family had a cookout this weekend! Cooking together has always been a bonding activity for us, so my dad turned it into a challenge. This time, there was Foster Farms Turkey on the menu! And I was the one in charge of it! Since everyone was making sides on the stove, I had the oven to myself — this is a true win at my family home, by the way.
So, I know that cooking Foster Farms turkey can be fun, but it can also turn south very quickly if you don’t know a thing or two. Although it isn’t rocket science, it still takes some skill and practice, and a few tips can be a very welcome addition to your skill set. So, how to cook Foster Farms Turkey?
Foster Farms Turkey Cooking Instructions
To prepare your Foster Farms turkey to the best possible level, it is always useful to have the steps broken down and see what you should do in each step. So, if you are looking for some help, look no further, as I got you covered.
Step 1: Getting Everything Ready
Preparing your turkey for cooking doesn’t mean just slapping it on the baking tray and setting the oven temperature. The prep time is crucial for a successful turkey meal, so never skip it or rush the process.
In the case of a fresh turkey, don’t forget to take out the neck and giblets from the body cavity, if included. Before moving on to the next step, make sure you rinse the turkey. Wash your hands as much as possible before handling the turkey, and pat it dry with a paper towel. Under no circumstances should you use cotton towels to dry the turkey because they may leave some lint behind, which may contaminate the meat.
In the case of a frozen turkey, don’t skip the thawing, as it is crucial to let the turkey thaw before you cook it. If you are in a hurry, let the turkey thaw in a large bowl with cold water. If time isn’t an issue, let your turkey thaw naturally in the fridge overnight.
Never place your turkey in hot water or under direct heat to defrost it. It will stiffen the meat and reduce the turkey quality.
Step 2: Add Flavor
This step is also known as tenderizing the meat because that’s just what you’ll be doing here. Place the turkey on the counter and whip up a marinade using oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and herbs.
Rub the mixture gently into the turkey and let the meat absorb the marinade for about 15 to 20 minutes. This is a good time to preheat the oven to 325 °F, i.e., 160 °C.
To season your Foster Farms turkey, you can also use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, or any other herbs and spices you prefer, so be as creative as you want.
I also like to stuff the turkey with aromatics, such as onions, garlic, or leek, to season it on the inside as well.
For another great way to season your turkey, check out this video!
Step 3: Roasting
Never roast the turkey before the oven is thoroughly heated. Pop the turkey on a baking tray and place it on the middle rack with the breast side up.
You can cover the turkey with foil or not; that’s absolutely up to you. It turns out great either way. If you do decide to tent it, make sure you leave some space for air circulation, so don’t wrap the turkey all that tightly and remove the foil the last halfway through the cooking time.
The general roasting time is about 15 minutes per pound. Foster Farms turkeys weigh between eight and 16 pounds, so the cooking time should be between 120 and 240 minutes.
If you decide to baste the turkey, I usually do so in the last hour and base twice or three times in 20-30-minute intervals. You can use a turkey baster or a spoon.
While roasting the turkey, checking for doneness is crucial to ensure your turkey is cooked thoroughly. You can do this by visually inspecting the turkey’s condition and tracing the changes in the color or simply using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh.
The internal temperature should reach 165 °F, i.e., 74 °C, for safe consumption.
Step 4: Resting Time
Once your turkey is done, take it out of the oven and let it rest for about 20 minutes to half an hour. This resting time is crucial for the juices to settle and get absorbed by the meat. If you carve the turkey too soon, the juices are likely to squirt out of the turkey, leaving it drier with less flavor.
What to Serve With Foster Farms Turkey?
Foster Farms Turkey offers a lot of serving opportunities, so you can easily turn almost everything from your fridge or pantry into a delicious side for your turkey.
Needless to say, potatoes in every shape or form are definitely a go. Mashed, fried, baked, or roasted, they are all great sides for your turkey.
Salads are a must. Cream salads, vegetable salads, and even pasta salads will do a great job enriching your meal.
All kinds of bread or savory pies, roasted or steamed veggies, soups, or cheese platters are all great ideas.
How to Store Leftovers?
For longer storage, the freezer is the safest space for your turkey leftovers. Place them in a safe freezer baggy or an airtight container and pop them in the freezer, where they will be safe and sound for up to three months.
Use the fridge for short-term storage. Pop the leftovers in an airtight container or a regular container wrapped in aluminum or plastic foil. If you don’t have any containers, place the leftovers on a plate and, again, cover them with foil, preferably plastic.
This way, your Foster Farms leftovers will be safe to eat for up to four-five days.
Do you have a special trick when cooking Foster Farms Turkey? I would love to read all about it in the comments below!
Roasted Foster Farms Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 Foster Farms Turkey
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Dried Rosemary
- ½ tsp Thyme
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Take your turkey out of the packaging.
- Place the turkey on the counter and whip up a marinade using oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and herbs.
- Rub the mixture gently into the turkey and let the meat absorb the marinade for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- This is a good time to preheat the oven to 325 °F, i.e., 160 °C.
- Pop the turkey on a baking tray and place it on the middle rack with the breast side up.
- You can cover the turkey with foil or not; that’s absolutely up to you. It turns out great either way. If you do decide to tent it, make sure you leave some space for air circulation, so don’t wrap the turkey all that tightly and remove the foil the last halfway through the cooking time.
- The general roasting time is about 15 minutes per pound. Foster Farms Turkeys weigh between eight and 16 pounds, so the cooking time should be between 120 and 240 minutes.
- In the last hour, baste the turkey twice, or three times, in 20-30-minute intervals. Use a turkey baster or a spoon.
- While roasting the turkey, checking for doneness is crucial to ensure your turkey is cooked thoroughly. You can do this by visually inspecting the turkey's condition and tracing the changes in the color or simply using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh.
- Use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the thigh. The internal temperature should reach 165 °F, i.e., 74 °C.
- Once your turkey is done, take it out of the oven and let it rest for about 20 minutes to half an hour.
- Enjoy your Foster Farms Turkey with a side or two from the article!
Nutrition
Before diving into the nutritional details, please review our Nutritional Disclaimer page for important context and clarifications.
