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IUIGirl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/14 852 total posts
Name:
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Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
I've seen some Thanksgiving menu posts on this board lately so thought to post here since it's crunch time and I need as many responses as possible. Two questions:
1) To stuff the turkey with stuffing or not to stuff the turkey? Is it me or do all the juices end up flowing into the stuffing more so than if it were unstuffed and hence dries out the turkey a bit? I care more about the turkey being juicy and tasting good than some of the stuffing having the turkey flavor.
2) Convection oven or conventional oven setting? We have a convection roast setting on our new oven. I have never cooked a turkey before and am not sure if I should use this setting or just regular bake. We tried a small turkey breast on the convection roast setting a couple weeks ago but I think we cooked it on too high of a temp. It tasted terrible :(. I would think the convection setting is better to cook the turkey more evenly but I'm not 100% sure.
Thank you for your help!
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Posted 11/23/15 4:18 PM  |
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Kitten1929
LIF Adult
Member since 1/13 6040 total posts
Name:
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Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
No idea about the convection setting but don't stuff the bird - it lengthens the cooking time and gets really mushy, unlike if you bake it separately it gets nice and crispy on top.
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| Posted 11/23/15 4:24 PM |
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IUIGirl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/14 852 total posts
Name:
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
Posted by Kitten1929
No idea about the convection setting but don't stuff the bird - it lengthens the cooking time and gets really mushy, unlike if you bake it separately it gets nice and crispy on top.
Thank you. I completely agree with this but was receiving some resistance from the elders/veteran Thanksgiving hosts which was making me doubt myself.
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| Posted 11/23/15 4:26 PM |
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Pumpkin1
LIF Adult
Member since 12/05 3715 total posts
Name:
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Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
In my house, stuffing that came from the bird is called "contaminated stuffing." So, just in case you had any doubt, I always eat the "safe" stuffing that is cooked outside the bird that is nice and crispy on top.
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| Posted 11/23/15 4:37 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
I like the stuffing in the bird. We cook whatever doesn't fit in a pan. I have both settings on my oven and always do conventional
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| Posted 11/23/15 4:50 PM |
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Otherme
Square head cutie pants
Member since 3/06 6899 total posts
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
stuffing that is inside the bird is delicious and moist (and can still be crisped up by putting under broiler if you want that)
stuffing that is cooked outside the bird might as well be stove top 
so dry and not nearly as flavorful!
just my opinion of course 
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| Posted 11/23/15 5:02 PM |
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IUIGirl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/14 852 total posts
Name:
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
Posted by Otherme
stuffing that is inside the bird is delicious and moist (and can still be crisped up by putting under broiler if you want that)
stuffing that is cooked outside the bird might as well be stove top
so dry and not nearly as flavorful!
just my opinion of course
Thanks! We were thinking to pour some of the turkey juices over the stuffing before putting it in the oven. Maybe that could work?
I'm still more concerned about the setting for the turkey  .
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| Posted 11/23/15 5:04 PM |
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Pumpkin1
LIF Adult
Member since 12/05 3715 total posts
Name:
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
Posted by Otherme
stuffing that is inside the bird is delicious and moist (and can still be crisped up by putting under broiler if you want that)
stuffing that is cooked outside the bird might as well be stove top
so dry and not nearly as flavorful!
just my opinion of course
You've officially been uninvited to my turkey day festivities! LOL. It's a personal preference (i.e. conditioned by mother from birth), but I just can't eat moist stuffing.
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| Posted 11/23/15 5:12 PM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
Name:
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
Posted by IUIGirl
I'm still more concerned about the setting for the turkey .
I would go with conventional. That's how most people do it b/c that's what most ovens are. I feel like you'd need to experiment with convection more first, since you didn't like the way it came out last time.
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| Posted 11/23/15 5:13 PM |
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IUIGirl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/14 852 total posts
Name:
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
Posted by tourist
Posted by IUIGirl
I'm still more concerned about the setting for the turkey .
I would go with conventional. That's how most people do it b/c that's what most ovens are. I feel like you'd need to experiment with convection more first, since you didn't like the way it came out last time.
Based on my Aunt who has always done Thanksgiving, she's recommending conventional bake at 325 degrees for 3 1/2 hours for the 16lb turkey. Does that sound right?
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| Posted 11/23/15 5:16 PM |
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IUIGirl
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/14 852 total posts
Name:
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
What makes me want to do the convection is that there is an actual roast convection setting and I picture a juicy roasted piece of poultry instead of just basic baking. However, that's not how the other breast came out at all and am thinking I should play it safe with conventional then. I would think convection is fool proof method because it's evenly spreading the air around but maybe not so fool proof?
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| Posted 11/23/15 5:18 PM |
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Eunyboo
<3
Member since 7/12 4376 total posts
Name:
E
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
I just made a turkey on Sunday & dry-brined. Used the recipe on buzzfeed and it was soooooo good, only thing I did differently was added adobo and white wine for brine. 500 degrees for 30 min and then 375 for two hours (12 lb bird). The skin was so nice and crispy.
My mom always stuffed, I made my stuffing outside of my bird and it wasnt nearly as good but I'm not sure if that's because I didn't use enough broth. It was super dry.
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| Posted 11/23/15 5:20 PM |
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MrsB12614
LIF Adult
Member since 4/14 1986 total posts
Name:
Mrs
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Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
I don't stuff with stuffing- I do butter onions carrots celery and herbs inside the bird for flavoring. I also baste my turkey like every half hour to keep the juice flowing. I cook in a conventional oven because that's what I have. My parents have the convection option I use it for an even cook if I am cooking there. Either way I have never had an issue
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| Posted 11/23/15 5:32 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
Posted by IUIGirl
Posted by tourist
Posted by IUIGirl
I'm still more concerned about the setting for the turkey .
I would go with conventional. That's how most people do it b/c that's what most ovens are. I feel like you'd need to experiment with convection more first, since you didn't like the way it came out last time.
Based on my Aunt who has always done Thanksgiving, she's recommending conventional bake at 325 degrees for 3 1/2 hours for the 16lb turkey. Does that sound right?
Go on butterball. They will tell you. And then monitor cause each oven cooks differently b
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| Posted 11/23/15 5:34 PM |
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charon54
My two boys!
Member since 5/05 7279 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
Call the Butterball Hotline! They should be able to help with the question about the oven.
http://www.butterball.com/turkey-talk-line
I would not stuff it, rather just cook the stuffing outside it and then put next to it when you serve it, like it came from inside (so basically post-stuff).
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| Posted 11/23/15 5:36 PM |
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BabyBearA
LIF Adult
Member since 7/11 1254 total posts
Name:
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Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
I do stuffing inside and outside because everyone has their preference. I bake the turkey conventionally even though I have a convection oven and in an oven bag (and it still comes out nicely browned and crisp) while preserving all the juices inside.
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| Posted 11/23/15 5:49 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19461 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
I stuff my bird with cut up oranges. I make my stuffing separately. I also use the regular setting on my oven. I use convection other times of the year though. Always remember to baste your turkey and start it off with a little liquid in the pan. This will be my 16th year hosting and making the turkey. It is 325 and 15 minutes per lb. Put some potatoes, celery, and carrots on the bottom of the pan. Every 30 minutes I baste and every 45 minutes I flip the bird. Cover with foil and remove the foil for the last 15 minutes to make it pretty on the best side.
Message edited 11/23/2015 7:30:28 PM.
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| Posted 11/23/15 7:27 PM |
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tray831
Dee-licious!
Member since 3/06 5355 total posts
Name:
His Baby
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
I dont like stuffing the turkey but I do because my mom prefers it. I stuff it VERY lightly.
I always cook my turkey on convection roast. Just know that if for example you set oven at 325; your oven will set for 300. Mine does anyway....it automatically converts it. Convection works at 25 degrees less. Your last turkey sounds like you overcooked it.
I have 2 thermometers in my turkey. One digital and one regular. Once they both reach 165 internal temperature; i remove from oven and let it rest a good 30-40 minutes before carving.
I also smother butter with mixed herbs all over turkey under skin. I also cook it upside down. Never had a dry turkey yet. Give convection another chance.
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| Posted 11/23/15 8:03 PM |
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RainyDay
LIF Adult
Member since 6/15 3999 total posts
Name:
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Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
My mom doesn't stuff her turkeys but her stuffing is never overly dry because she uses enough broth. I HATE stuffing that is cooked inside the bird. My dad stuffs his turkey and I refuse to eat it. Its definitely personal preference......You could always stuff some and do a separate tray of stuffing just made in the oven.
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| Posted 11/23/15 8:37 PM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
Is my family the only family who does both in the bird and out of the bird??
We just do both and offer people their choice.
I actually take a little of both!
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| Posted 11/23/15 9:11 PM |
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Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
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Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
Don't stuff the bird. Way to risky for food poisoning.
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| Posted 11/24/15 7:38 AM |
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busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2053 total posts
Name:
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Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
I stuff both in the bird and out (in a separate pan).
But I love, love, love the stuffing from the bird. It's my favorite thing on Thanksgiving.
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| Posted 11/24/15 8:17 AM |
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Kitten1929
LIF Adult
Member since 1/13 6040 total posts
Name:
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
Posted by Sparrow
Don't stuff the bird. Way to risky for food poisoning.
Yes! My sister mentioned this as well when I asked about stuffing the bird.
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| Posted 11/24/15 8:48 AM |
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HeyJude
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/07 820 total posts
Name:
p
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
I stuff the bird and cook on conventional.
I think stuffing is a family preference thing, so do what your family is used to. My family always stuffs the bird, never had a case of food poisoning.
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| Posted 11/24/15 9:57 AM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: Two Thanksgiving/Turkey Questions - Please Help!
I saw on one of those foodie talk shows... The best way to stuff the bird without being afraid the stuffing may have raw turkey juice in it is to put the stuffing inside a cheese cloth inside the bird. Then when you take the bird out, it has to rest for at least 30 minutes before you carve.. In that time, take the stuffing out, put into a casserole dish and bake for those 30 minutes. It solves the raw juice issue and also solves the mushy issue.
I don't stuff the turkey. I pour the dripping from the pan before baking the stuffing to add flavor. My stuffing is never dry and is very tasty
I have zero advice on the oven setting.
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| Posted 11/24/15 10:09 AM |
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