This foolproof tip will keep your Thanksgiving turkey from drying out

Turkey isn’t everyone’s favorite meat—it can be dry and a bit flavorless unless cooked correctly. Nevertheless, on Thanksgiving, it is a must for many families. Here are a few tips to keep your turkey moist as it bakes in the oven.

The orgins of the turkey that ends up on your table

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, turkey producers begin increasing their stocks just after the holidays to prepare for the surge in demand that is seen around the holidays. From January to August, the stored birds account for around “5 weeks of production,” and then “from September to November, frozen inventories decrease by about 75 percent.”

This means that many of the turkeys found in grocery stores by November have likely been frozen or at least chilled. This reality is critical to consider when planning how you will cook your turkey. For that reason, America’s Test Kitchen recommends purchasing a fully frozen turkey if you plan to bake the entire bird. This helps avoid concerns about a turkey being frozen, defrosted, and then frozen again before it ends up on your dining room table, as that process can often degrade the meat’s quality and texture, causing additional moisture to escape as the bird cycles through temperature changes.

Give your turkey a spa treatment

Additionally, if you want to rehydrate your turkey before popping it in the oven, you can place it in a brine for 24 hours with salt and seasoning. The water absorbed by the turkey will ensure it retains additional moisture, helping prevent it from drying out as it cooks.  The recipe for your brine should match the seasonings you plan to use, but using acids like apple cider vinegar, oranges, or lemon, can soften the skin of the turkey and make it more tender.