THanksgiving

Everything you need to know about selecting, preparing and roasting your Thanksgiving turkey and
reheating our house made sides, gravy, rolls and pies.

What size turkey should I choose?
We recommend purchasing a turkey that is big enough to serve 1.5 to 2 pounds person, as this will allow for plenty of leftovers (which is one of our favorite parts of Thanksgiving). 

How do I thaw my turkey?
If you purchased a turkey from Butchers Alley, they are not frozen but deep chilled so if you are picking up a day or two before Thanksgiving, it can sit in the fridge. If you are picking up earlier in the week, following this thawing chart to thaw your turkey. A raw, fresh or thawed turkey is good in the fridge for 1-2 days.

8-12lbs    1 to 2 days in Fridge
12-16lbs    2 to 3 days in Fridge
16-20lbs    3 to 4 days in Fridge
20-24lbs    4 to 5 days in Fridge

How do I roast my turkey?
Place turkey on a rack in an open roasting pan. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Melt stick of butter and coat the turkey, salt and pepper turkey all over, including inside. Stuff empty turkey cavity with with halved onions, halved lemons, and fresh herbs like rosemary, sage and thyme. If desired, place a foil tent over turkey but make sure to remove the foil for the last 50 to 60 minutes for browning. Roast turkey at 325 following the chart below, making sure to pour chicken broth or water in the bottom of the pan. Once turkey is roasted, remove from the oven and let it rest for 20-30 minutes.

Turkey must reach 165 degrees internally to be fully cooked.

8-12lbs    2.0 to 3.5 hours
12-16lbs    3.0 to 4.0 hours
16-20lbs    4.0 to 4.5 hours
20-24lbs    4.5 to 5.0 hours

How do I carve my turkey?
It's really easier than it may seem, you just need a sharp carving knife and this great tutorial from the Washington Post.

How do I reheat the sides I ordered from Butchers Alley?
Our house made sides are easy to reheat! All of our black sides containers are OVEN SAFE when the clear lid is removed and the container is placed on a baking sheet. Do not heat with the lid on, the lid is not oven safe. But we do recommend transferring for our Thanksgiving sides for optimal flavor. All items are fully cooked. Unless otherwise noted, reheat all foods until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer food to an oven-safe baking dish (for stuffing, mashed potatoes and casseroles) or rimmed baking sheet (for roasted vegetables) and cover with an oven-safe lid, parchment paper or aluminum foil, unless otherwise indicated. Heat each side dish for the suggested length of time (or longer if necessary) until heated through, stirring halfway through heating.

Heat for 10-15 Minutes
Roasted Butternut Squash
Roasted Carrots and Pepitas
Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries
Roasted Fall Vegetables

Heat for 15-20 Minutes
Potato Gratin
Orange Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Creamed Spinach

Heat for 30-40 Minutes
Macaroni and Cheese (uncover for final 5-10 minutes to brown)
Truffle Macaroni and Cheese (uncover for final 5-10 minutes to brown)
Turkey Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Garlic

How do I reheat gravy and sauces?
Cranberry Orange Sauce and Applesauce do not require heating and can be served chilled or at room temperature.

Stovetop Reheating
Transfer sauce or gravy to a saucepan and reheat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until simmering and heated through.

Microwave Reheating
Use a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then stir and microwave for additional 1 to 2 minute intervals as needed until heated through.

How do I reheat pies & dinner rolls?

Reheat Pies
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place on a baking sheet, gently cover the crust with foil to prevent over-browning, and heat for 10-15 minutes or until just warmed through.

Note: Our pumpkin pie should be served room temperature.

Reheat Rolls
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and heat for 4-8 minutes or until warm.