Butterball’s Talk-Line has helped confused cooks with Thanksgiving turkey prep since its inception 35 years ago — and while the service has successfully churned out thousands of responses to common questions, which the company so
1.So I’m looking at a turkey from 1969 sitting here in my father’s freezer … any tips on the best way to cook a 30-year-old bird?
The Talk-Line suggested the man throw out the old turkey and purchase a new one. Then, the Talk-Line suggested to cook the turkey in the open roasting pan method.
- How do I roast my turkey so it gets golden brown tan lines — in the shape of a turkey bikini?
The experts helped to create a “bikini look” by using aluminum foil in certain places on the turkey.
- How to carve a turkey when all of its bones have been broken?
- I carved my turkey with a chainsaw … is the chain grease going to adversely affect my turkey?
- Why does my turkey have no breast meat?
A disappointed woman called wondering why her turkey had no breast meat. After a conversation with a Talk-Line operator, it became apparent that the woman’s turkey was lying on the table upside down.
- It’s my first Thanksgiving and I have a tiny apartment-sized oven … how much will my turkey expand when cooking?
- How do I get my turkey to stop sudsing? Is a soapy turkey recoverable?
A first-time Thanksgiving chef called after she had washed her turkey with dish soap. You don’t have to clean your turkey, simply pat the extra juices dry with paper towels before stuffing or roasting the turkey.
- For the sake of delicious smells, can I cook my turkey over the course of four days?
The Talk-Line doesn’t recommend slow-cooking your turkey over the course of multiple days. You are able to use a slow cooker if needed, but experts would recommend 6-8 hours in the slow cooker. If cooking in the oven, it should only take a few hours to cook.
- How do I baste a pre-basted turkey?
Some folks love to baste the turkey while it’s cooking. If you’re one of them, the Talk-Line suggests basting only a few times during the cooking process so you don’t continuously let out the heat of the oven.
- My turkey thawed on my lap … can I eat it?
A gentleman won a turkey at the casino, and brought it home on the bus where it had thawed. The safest way to thaw your turkey is in the refrigerator — it takes one day for every four pounds of turkey.