How To Carve a Turkey: The Video

updated Nov 15, 2019

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So, we’ve showed you how to choose a turkey, and how to roast it. But how do you carve it? In this quick video, we show you how to slice up that big bird! We get it all done in just one minute, thanks to the magic of video (it’s OK if it takes you a little longer!). One minute, five minutes, 10 minutes — it doesn’t really matter how long it takes to carve the turkey; but in the end, we think this tutorial will help it go just a bit smoother.

Ready to get your carving skills on? Follow along!

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Nutritional Info

Ingredients

Turkey , roasted and rested (get roasting instructions here)

Equipment

Large cutting board, preferably with channels to catch the juices
Sharp chef's knife

Instructions

Remove the legs: Slice the skin close to the breast; pull the leg back until the joint pops out. Press down firmly on the joint to completely sever it. (If you hit bone, shift the knife slightly. The joint should cut cleanly, with a sharp crunch.)
Remove the breasts: Slice along the ribcage until the breast meat comes away.
Remove the wings: Pull them back, as you did the legs, and cut at the joint.
Separate the thigh from the drumstick: Twist the leg and the thigh slightly to expose the joint. Cut them apart at the joint.
Slice the thighs: Cut the meat off the bone at an angle, skin-side up.
Slice the breasts: Also at an angle, skin-side up.