The pressure of preparing a turkey for Thanksgiving can rattle even the most seasoned cook, so Rachael offers up all of her best tips to make sure you are calm and ready to host! Print out Rachael’s turkey check-list to make sure you are covered for the big day!

Check thermometer for accuracy: Bring a pot of water to a boil to test; when you place your thermometer in boiling water it should read 212°F.

Check oven temperature: Calibrate your oven; make sure your oven is keeping the proper temperature. In other words, use an oven thermometer to see if the temperature you set the oven to is in fact the temperature it reaches. If it’s not, do the math to figure out what you should set the thermostat to in order to get your desired temperature.

Thawing out your turkey: Make sure you give yourself enough time to thaw your frozen turkey! Put your turkey on a baking sheet, and put it in the bottom of the refrigerator, just in case it leaks. If you haven’t thawed out your turkey in the refrigerator, you can put the turkey in cold water, but there needs to be a constant exchange of water.

Roasting Pan Size: If you’re going to get a disposable pan, you should still put the roasting pan on top of a baking sheet so you have some stability when taking it in and out of the oven. But whether you’re using a regular roasting pan, or a disposable roasting pan make sure your turkey will fit comfortably in the pan!

An alternative to making one large turkey is making two small turkeys; you can carve one turkey entirely and platter up the other turkey.

Dry Turkey Fix: Always make sure you have chicken stock and/or turkey stock on hand to fix any type of burns or dry areas of your turkey. Heat up the stock and drop in slices for a minute.

Keep Your Turkey Warm: Put foil over the turkey and place a heavy towel on top and the turkey will stay warm until you’re ready to serve.

If it’s your first Thanksgiving, check out Rachael’s “Can-Do Guide to Thanksgiving”, get turkey timing tips for birds of any size, plan your menu with all of Rachael’s tasty appetizers, sides and mains, and finish it off with a beautifully decorated table by using new simple ideas.

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