Step by Step: How to Carve a Turkey Like a Pro on Thanksgiving (Learn Our Best Carving Techniques)

Every Thanksgiving, there's one question on everyone's mind: What's the best way to carve a turkey? We show you how to carve a turkey step by step.

The best knife to carve turkey is a chef's knife. Some chefs start by detaching the wings, but we prefer to leave them on the whole turkey for added stability while removing the leg quarters. We also avoid turning the turkey breast side down during carving so as not to mar its crisp skin. Make sure to rest the Thanksgiving turkey for 45 minutes before carving so it is cool enough to handle and its juices have time to redistribute.

CARVING TECHNIQUES: HOW TO CARVE A TURKEY LIKE A PRO

Step 1
Slice through skin between breast and leg. Pull leg away from breast until joint that connects them is exposed. Cut through joint and any attached skin. Repeat with other leg.

Step 2
Using your finger, locate joint that connects thigh and drumstick, and cut through it. Leave drumsticks whole and cut thigh meat off bone, slicing on either side of bone.

Step 3
Slice through skin between wing and breast. Pull wing away from breast until joint that connects them is exposed. Cut through joint and any attached skin. Repeat with other wing.

Step 4
How to carve a turkey breast off the bone: Remove breast meat from carcass by running tip of knife along breastbone. Use your other hand to hold and pry meat from bone as you cut, following contours of rib cage.

Step 5
Remove other breast. To carve turkey breast, slice each breast crosswise on bias into thick slices.

How to slice a turkey: Despite the cliché of the head of the household slicing at the table, carving is a messy job. Better to get down and dirty in the kitchen, where you can break down the roast turkey and carve neat, picture-perfect slices without anyone seeing. To serve the meat, transfer it to a pretty platter and bring to the table.

[BobbieGWhiz]

I definitely agree with the 45 minute rest time. It’s cool enough to handle but still warm enough for eating. I prefer thinner slices, but degustibus non et disputandum.

[TimLewallen]

This is the way to do it. It was so easy and looked great on the table!

[ednamglenn-freeman]

Happy 20th anniversary America's Test Kitchen for a cooking how to make these amazing recipes for dinner tonight for everyone!!!

[Card_Asylum]

Just stopping by Thanksgiving 2020 to see what knife to use so I don't screw up another 🦃 this year.😂🤘🥧🦃🙋

[HarveyMeadowlark]

Hey everybody we meet again, happy Thanksgiving 🧡🤎

[akeel]

This worked great and it was so easy! Thank you!

[DannoCrutch]

I learned this method about 30 yrs ago. I'm known as a pretty decent cook, so folks have often given me the "honor" of cutting the Turkey. They freak out when I start doing it this way; ESPECIALLY removing the breast and slicing cross grain.

[connydeluca]

How much does a contract fitting cost. Not the exam

[stogiedude]

No. Keep the wings attached BEFORE you slice the breast meat. Keeps the body more stable.

[davidschorr]

Very basic to say the least. In a few more minutes you could have shown how to properly debone and slice the thigh followed by proper presentation of the entire bird.

[normlor]

way too short a video to show anything!!!

[plantlady]

Turkey is supposed to be cooked breast side down for added tenderness. This video is an abomination!