Carve your holiday turkey like a pro using this easy step-by-step tutorial and video. It’s easier than you think to carve a showstopping turkey platter in just minutes.



How to Carve a Turkey

Now that you roasted your perfect holiday turkey, it’s time to serve it to your guests. Carving a turkey isn’t as difficult as you think and you can have it presented at the table in just minutes with a few easy tips.

First, Rest Your Turkey

When you pull your roast turkey from the oven, all the juices want to escape and if you carve your turkey too soon all those juices will run out all over your cutting board. This will leave you with a dry turkey and even a gallon of gravy won’t be able to save it.

To eliminate that from happening, be sure to rest your turkey for at least 30 minutes covered with foil to keep it warm. I have even rested my turkey for an hour and it’s still warm when we serve it. Resting your turkey gives the juices time to redistribute through your bird leaving you with tender, juicy turkey.

Carving Your Turkey

Start by carving one side at a time for the best results.

Place the turkey on a large cutting board with the cavity facing you.

Be sure to let your turkey rest for 30 minutes to an hour before carving.

First, remove the leg but cutting down in between the left and the body of the turkey until you see the joint. Carefully bend the leg at the joint until the two bones separate. 

Leg being cut off a roast turkey on a cutting board with an electric knife.

Remove the wing the same way.

Remove the breast by cutting along the breast bone and then making a separate cut along the bottom of the breast to remove the whole breast in one piece.

Breast being cut off a roast turkey on a cutting board.

Lay the turkey breast on a cutting board and slice.

Repeat with the opposite side.

Turkey breast being sliced on a cutting board.

Arrange on a serving platter.

Serve immediately or cover and store in a warm oven.

Turkey arranged on a serving platter.

Plating Your Carved Turkey

Arranging your sliced turkey on a platter isn’t that difficult and there’s really no right or wrong way. I like to fan out the turkey breast slices with the skin still on and then arrange the legs, thighs and wings around it.

Fill in any gaps with garnishes like rosemary, sage, cranberries, sliced oranges and apples cut in half. Try to use garnishes that you used in the turkey recipe, this will also save you money because you’re sure to have leftovers in the kitchen.

Favorite Turkey Recipes

Four roasted turkey legs are on a white plate.

What To Do With Leftover Turkey

Here are a few of our favorite ways to use up leftover turkey!

For more Thanksgiving recipe ideas, follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

Leg being cut off a turkey

Get the Recipe: How To Carve A Turkey

The easiest way to carve a turkey like a pro!
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Ingredients

  • 1 Fully Roasted Turkey

Equipment

  • electric knife
  • carving knife

Instructions 

  • Start by carving one side at a time for the best results.
  • Place the turkey on a large cutting board with the cavity facing you.
  • Be sure to let your turkey rest for 30 minutes to an hour before carving.
  • First, remove the leg but cutting down in between the left and the body of the turkey until you see the joint. Carefully bend the leg at the joint until the two bones separate.
  • Remove the wing the same way.
  • Remove the breast by cutting along the breast bone and then making a separate cut along the bottom of the breast to remove the whole breast in one piece.
  • Lay the turkey breast on a cutting board and slice.
  • Repeat with the opposite side.
  • Serve immediately or cover and store in a warm oven.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Serve immediately or store in a warm oven covered with foil until ready to serve.
Calories: 303kcal, Protein: 46g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 155mg, Sodium: 240mg, Potassium: 481mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 120IU, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 2mg