Cooking my first turkey!

[irish]

...and I'm kind of freaked out! In lieu of a bonus this year, the job decided to give everyone a turkey (gee, thanks).
I'm not a huge turkey fan as every time I have turkey, it's super dry..gag!
So I'm calling upon my wonderful chefs to share their secret to a JUICY turkey! Any and all tips are appreciated!!

TIA!

[sharon]

I haven't done a turkey in a long time, but my understanding is that if you brine it you can't go wrong.

Back when we did one, we used a roasting bag and that kept it moist too.

Do you listen to The Splendid Table? Lynn Rossetto Casper did a show on Thanksgiving that we listened to as we drove to Iowa and she had no-fail turkey tips. I bet you can find them online. But the short version was brine it.

[sharon]

(And back when I used to do one for Passover, we'd make a soup with the carcass. Mmmm.)

[merrr]

I did a brined turkey for the first time this year and it was WONDERFUL! Here's the recipe:
www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/recipes/r-penzeysParkersTurkeyBrine.html

I've also done the turkey bag thing and it worked great. First time I did it I didn't read the instructions and flour the bag first so it stuck to the bird but it still worked out minus the skin

[alipski]

lol, making a holiday turkey is one of my top fears! lol. Good luck, sweetie!!!

[elizac]

I made my first turkey a week ago. Didn't do anything special just roasted it for 5 hours (big turkey) and to my surprise turned out great. Must be beginners luck

[onlyoneboy]

I brine mine then make sure to pull it out of the over when it is 5 degrees below the desired temperature. Tent it will foil and let it sit for 10 minutes before carving. Other than that if you have access to a deep fryer. Those turkeys are always delish!

[bumblebee23]

Sorry I have never cooked a turkey but I think DH buys those turkey bags and puts a little water on the bottom of the pan and puts it in the oven. Other then that I can't help you but good luck!

[supermommy]

Don't cook it like a turkey.... Cut it up in pieces so they are all in the liquid. My mom does it this way and it is to die for moist! Not exactly sure how it is done step by step but it could easily be figured out I am sure. Otherwise I would suggest brine or bag.

[mommylinz]

We get a free turkey from my DH's work every year. I cook it in a bag (be sure to read the directions for how to use the bag. I then use this recipe: allrecipes.com/recipe/homestyle-turkey-the-michigander-way-2/detail.aspx
It is easy, good and keeps it moist. I've always been interested in using a brine, but that seems like to much work to me;-)

[healerarina]

I stuff the cavity with onion, celery and fresh herbs (I get the poultry pack from cub). Just make sure to baste it every half hour or so. I have cooked a turkey only 2 maybe 3 times, and they always turn out moist and delishious. I have a roasting pan with a removable insert. This year's turned out better than last years, but I have a new awesome gas convection oven rather than the apartment grade electric.

[lilmermaid]

Bump!!!