Roasting a turkey to perfection takes skill and precise timing. An often overlooked but critical part of the process is allowing the turkey to rest prior to carving. Properly resting the turkey allows the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat. If you carve the turkey immediately after removing it from the oven, the juices will run out and the meat will be dry. So how long should you let the turkey rest after roasting? Here is a detailed look at turkey resting times and tips for ensuring moist, flavorful meat.
Why Is Resting Important?
Resting the turkey after roasting serves a few important purposes:
- It allows the juices to redistribute. When turkey cooks, the juices get forced to the center of the meat. If you slice into it right away, the juices will spill out onto the cutting board rather than getting absorbed back into the meat.
- It allows the proteins to relax. The high heat of roasting causes the turkey proteins to contract and tense up. Resting gives them a chance to relax and reabsorb any released moisture.
- It carries over the cooking. The temperature of the turkey will continue rising 5-10 degrees F during the resting time. This allows it to cook through without overcooking the outer areas.
Failing to let the turkey rest enough will lead to dry meat and a lot of wasted juices.
How Long Should You Rest a Turkey After Roasting?
The ideal turkey resting time is 30-45 minutes. This gives the juices enough time to redistribute thoroughly and the meat temps to rise to the optimum finish point.
Here are some more specific resting time guidelines based on turkey size:
- 8-12 lb turkey: Rest for 30 minutes
- 12-16 lb turkey: Rest for 35 minutes
- 16-20 lb turkey: Rest for 40 minutes
- 20-24 lb turkey: Rest for 45 minutes
Going over these recommended resting times won’t ruin the turkey, but the meat may cool down too much. You want to maintain an internal temperature of at least 145°F during the resting period for food safety.
Should You Cover the Turkey While Resting?
Covering the roasted turkey with foil while it rests helps retain heat and moisture. Tent the foil loosely over the turkey without pressing it directly onto the skin. You want to trap in steam to keep the turkey warm without making the skin soggy.
Make sure you leave an opening at the neck cavity so steam can continue escaping. This prevents the internal temperature from overcooking.
Should You Rest Turkey Breast-Side Up or Down?
It’s best to rest the turkey breast-side up. Flipping it over would allow the juices to pool out rather than getting reabsorbed back into the breast meat.
Resting breast-side up mimics how the turkey was positioned while roasting. This allows the juices to continue redistributing uniformly.
Can You Rest Turkey for Too Long?
It is possible to rest the turkey for too long. After 45-60 minutes, the meat will start cooling down past the ideal serving temperature. The turkey will also reabsorb most of its available juices by this point.
A turkey that rests for over an hour may start to actually dry out. The juices redistribute fully within the first 45 minutes. Leaving the turkey out much longer allows evaporation to occur.
Shoot for the minimum recommended resting time for your size bird. After 45-60 minutes maximum, it’s best to go ahead and carve the turkey while it’s still warm.
Should You Make the Gravy Before or After Resting?
It’s best to make the gravy after allowing the turkey to rest. As the turkey sits, the juices will continue releasing from the meat and pooling in the pan. Use these flavorful pan drippings to make your gravy.
Trying to make gravy immediately after removing the turkey means losing out on more juices that have yet to release. Let the turkey keep resting while you prep the other meal components. Then make the gravy right before serving.
Can You Rest a Turkey at Room Temperature?
Safety guidelines recommend resting the roast turkey at room temperature no longer than 2 hours after cooking ends. Bacteria multiply quickly on food left out too long in the danger zone between 40-140°F.
After the initial recommended resting period, carve the turkey and refrigerate the meat.
Leaving the entire cooked turkey at room temp for over 2 hours creates a risk of foodborne illness. Cooked turkey should go directly from oven to table to fridge.
Can You Rest Turkey in a Cooler?
A large cooler is an ideal way to let a roast turkey rest safely for an extended time. The cooler will maintain an optimal serving temperature for several hours.
Follow these tips when resting turkey in a cooler:
- Pre-chill the empty cooler by adding ice and draining the melted water.
- Place batches of ice under and around the roasting pan inside the cooler.
- Keep the cooler closed until ready to serve the turkey.
- Check the internal temp occasionally to ensure it stays above 140°F.
A chilled cooler creates the perfect environment for carrying over the cooking without cooling down too quickly. This allows you to rest the turkey for up to 5 hours while freeing up your oven for other dishes.
Signs Your Turkey Didn’t Rest Long Enough
How can you tell if the turkey didn’t rest sufficiently after roasting? Here are a few indications:
- Pools of pink or red juices on the cutting board or platter.
- Thin slices that are paler than normal with lots of moisture loss.
- Dry-looking breast meat that tears easily when sliced.
- Tough, chewy slices throughout the meat.
- A layer of juices at the bottom of the turkey cavity.
Turkey that is cut into too soon will be noticeably drier and less tender. The juices will leak away from the meat rather than staying absorbed.
Conclusion
Proper resting is a key step in roasting the perfect turkey. Allowing the turkey to sit undisturbed for 30-45 minutes after cooking gives the juices time to redistribute evenly for moist, flavorful meat. Rest the turkey breast-side up on a cutting board loosely tented with foil. Resist the urge to carve it right away and your patience will be rewarded with tender, juicy turkey that is deliciously ready to enjoy.