Does it matter if I cook my 19lb turkey covered or uncovered?

Question

I have been taught to always cover the turkey, no matter what the weight, but I have been watching cooking shows where chef's are NOT using any type of covering. Doesnt that dry out the turkey?

Answer 1

It makes the bird browner and gives it a better presentation. Cook the turkey covered until the last hour, then uncover it. Always make sure you are basting the bird at least once every 45 minutes.

Answer 2

Cooking Turkey Covered

Answer 3

18 to 22lb Turkey. Unstuffed - Done in 3-1/2 to 4 Hours and Stuffed is Done in 4-1/2 to 5. However, use this roasting schedule as a guideline; start checking for doneness 1/2 hour before recommended end times:


General rule of thumb ---- When the turkey is about two-thirds done, loosely cover the breast and top of drumsticks with a piece of lightweight foil to prevent overcooking the breast.

Comes out perfect everytime ----

Answer 4

The reason why I like to cook my turkey uncovered at least part of the time (or roasted chicken, for that matter), is that in obtaining a deeper brown on the bird, the drippings have a more robust taste which makes for tastier gravy.
A pale cooked bird will give drippings that are blah.

Answer 5

for all but the last hour of cooking, place the turkey breast side down in the uncovered pan. then, for the last hour turn it breast side up still uncovered so the skin can brown. this keeps the turkey moist and delicious.

Answer 6

cooking it cover makes it moist but the turkey you have you might have to switch up on it every hour life leaving it cover for a hour or so then cover it back up so that the outside and the inside can taste better than it looks. but to keep it tender and moist as you are turning it over make sure you rub so butter on ot so that it can have that golden look and all that does is like i said makes it tender and easier to make good progress gives it that delicious taste.

Answer 7

yea if uncovered whole time may dry turkey out so just do it with the last hour or so its juicy inside and fully cooked and crispy outside

Answer 8

Uncover it and raise the temp to 375 for the last 30 minutes ....

Answer 9

I cook it uncovered. If the breast browns too quickly I tent it with foil.