{"id":10489,"date":"2021-10-14T07:20:31","date_gmt":"2021-10-14T07:20:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/?p=10489"},"modified":"2021-10-15T08:58:17","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T08:58:17","slug":"how-to-cook-a-farm-fresh-turkey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/how-to-cook-a-farm-fresh-turkey\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Cook A Farm Fresh Turkey?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There\u2019s nothing better than being able to enjoy the fruits of your labor when you\u2019re raising poultry – and for some farmers, knowing how to cook a farm-fresh turkey is the most complicated step in the entire process! Fortunately, these tips will walk you through every step for a truly delicious meal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Cook Fresh Turkey?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Can<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely! There\u2019s no difference in cooking a fresh turkey versus a frozen one that you bought at the store – except, of course, that you can skip the thawing process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, there are a few things to keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one, the size of a farm-fresh or pasture-raised turkey can be highly variable. These are not factory-farmed birds so they might be larger or smaller than what you\u2019re used to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the bird is too large to fit in your roasting pan, just remove the legs first. If it\u2019s on the smaller side, you may want to whip up a larger batch of stuffing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you get your turkey (or process it yourself), plan to cook it within two to three days of doing so. Otherwise, it needs to be frozen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store the turkey in the coldest part of your fridge (generally the back lower corner) and double-bag it to ensure that it doesn\u2019t leak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Cook a Freshly Killed Turkey?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cooking a freshly killed turkey is just about identical to preparing a frozen turkey<\/a>. You can often shave off some of the cooking time but otherwise, you\u2019ll cook your fresh turkey almost exactly as you have cooked any other turkey in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does it Take to Cook a Farm Fresh Turkey?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pasture-raised turkeys cook faster than factory-farmed birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 325 degrees, you should plan on eight to ten minutes per pound for an unstuffed bird (or 12 to 15 minutes if it is stuffed). It will brown up, so don\u2019t worry. Don\u2019t cover the bird, as it will make the skin soggy and rubbery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oven temperatures and individual birds do vary, so use a meat thermometer to make sure your bird is fully cooked. The bread t should be 165 degrees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pasture-raised turkeys are also known for being a bit juicier. You don\u2019t need to flip the bird during cooking and if there are still juices coming out when you temp-check it, don\u2019t panic. As long as it reaches the minimum internal temperature listed above, it\u2019s safe to eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also want to cook the stuffing separately. It can add more time to the cooking time and will require you to monitor the temperature of both the turkey and the stuffing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should You Brine a Farm Fresh Turkey? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both brining and basting are optional when it comes to cooking a farm-fresh turkey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These steps are usually taken to help ensure that the bird does not dry out. Since pastured birds are far less likely to dry out, these steps aren\u2019t necessary. Plus, every time you open the oven door to baste a turkey, you will be wasting energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, pastured birds are juicier and more flavorful than factory-farmed turkeys, so you can skip this step and cook your turkey faster by doing so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Classic Recipe: Roasted Farm Fresh Turkey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Create a dry seasoning with herbs of our own choosing. We recommend the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\n