Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to roast the turkey a day or two in advance and keep it in the refrigerator?

Cooking a turkey a day or two ahead of the big meal is fine, but only if it is carved immediately after cooking and the sliced meat is properly refrigerated. A cooked turkey is too big and too dense to cool down quickly and efficiently in a home refrigerator. You should cook the bird thoroughly, allow it to sit 20 minutes, then carve it. Store the sliced meat in shallow containers in your refrigerator. You can reheat the slices in a conventional oven or microwave to a steaming hot 160 degrees F.