Step by Step: How to Carve a Turkey Like a Pro on Thanksgiving (Learn Our Best Carving Techniques)

Want menus, recipes, and more tips? Visit Cook's Illustrated Best Thanksgiving Guide: http://cooks.io/1WuxYMS

Every Thanksgiving, there's one question on everyone's mind: What's the best way to carve a turkey? We show you how to carve a turkey step by step.

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The best knife to carve turkey is a chef's knife. Some chefs start by detaching the wings, but we prefer to leave them on the whole turkey for added stability while removing the leg quarters. We also avoid turning the turkey breast side down during carving so as not to mar its crisp skin. Make sure to rest the Thanksgiving turkey for 45 minutes before carving so it is cool enough to handle and its juices have time to redistribute.

CARVING TECHNIQUES: HOW TO CARVE A TURKEY LIKE A PRO

Step 1
Slice through skin between breast and leg. Pull leg away from breast until joint that connects them is exposed. Cut through joint and any attached skin. Repeat with other leg.

Step 2
Using your finger, locate joint that connects thigh and drumstick, and cut through it. Leave drumsticks whole and cut thigh meat off bone, slicing on either side of bone.

Step 3
Slice through skin between wing and breast. Pull wing away from breast until joint that connects them is exposed. Cut through joint and any attached skin. Repeat with other wing.

Step 4
How to carve a turkey breast off the bone: Remove breast meat from carcass by running tip of knife along breastbone. Use your other hand to hold and pry meat from bone as you cut, following contours of rib cage.

Step 5
Remove other breast. To carve turkey breast, slice each breast crosswise on bias into thick slices.

How to slice a turkey: Despite the cliché of the head of the household slicing at the table, carving is a messy job. Better to get down and dirty in the kitchen, where you can break down the roast turkey and carve neat, picture-perfect slices without anyone seeing. To serve the meat, transfer it to a pretty platter and bring to the table.

Cook's Illustrated Best Thanksgiving Guide: http://cooks.io/1WuxYMS

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