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How to Break Down a Turkey

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Yield 8 -12
Category Cooking Tip
Cuisine American

Description

Learn how to break down a whole turkey into parts. You'll end up with two breasts, two drumsticks, two thighs and two wings.

Ingredients

  • 1 (12-14 pound) fresh turkey

Instructions

  • Remove neck and giblets from turkey cavity; reserve for stock. Pat turkey dry with paper towels.
  • Remove wings by flexing wing forward and running knife between the wing joint and breast. Make small sweeping cuts until wing releases.
  • Loosen legs then press skin into leg crease to ensure skin co vers breast. Cut alongside leg to slice through skin and expose connection between leg and breast. Repeat with second leg. Bend legs backwards. Cut up along backbone, through socket and releasing from body.
  • Separate thighs from drumsticks by cutting through joints at top of drumsticks.
  • Cut down inside of backbone until knife hits neck bone. Pull bakbone outward until neck pops out of joint. Cut around joint to release backbone (reserve for stock).
  • Place turkey breast-side up; cut along both sides of breastbone, then cut and pull breast meat away from the keel bone (the plastic-like piece of cartilage). Remove and discard keel bone (or reserve for stock).
  • Arrange turkey pieces, skin side up, on wire rack set inside sheet pan.

Video

Notes

Raw turkey pieces can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days prior to cooking. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 pound meatCalories: 190kcalProtein: 33gFat: 5.5gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 80mg
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