How to Cut a Raw Turkey in Five Easy Minutes

Ladies and gentlemen….Mr. Bernie Sanders….Sorry, I jumped on the bandwagon

Love eating turkey, but hate the long hours you have to wait for it to cook?

Well I’m going to show you how to cut a raw turkey in five easy minutes. It takes some getting used to so the first few times might look like a horrible crime scene, but don’t worry it will improve with practice.

This quick little read should help you to overcome that problem. I love when I get my turkey (or any bird really) served on a plate looking all pretty and separated from its body. Sounds a bit on the violent side, but I think you know exactly what I mean. If you don’t then please just bear with me for a few.

So it’s the morning of Thanksgiving (or any day that you choose to tackle a WHOLE turkey dinner) and it’s still frozen! Darn turkey! Why do they have to be so large anyway, right? Anyway – everyone is counting on you to make this meal right and now you’re panicking. Not to mention all the other thoughts that cross your mind. Like “why do I torture myself with this each year?” or “Easy for them to judge when all they do is show up to eat!” or perhaps you’re not like me and none of those thoughts come to mind. In which case, I apologize for my harshness.

So what’s a person to do now? It’s simple, really. You will need a clean workspace, a really sharp knife, a cutting board, a waste basket and, of course, the star of the show, Mr. Turkey!!!! Oh and let’s not forget the approximation of five minutes to perform the delicate surgical procedure.

So how about some bird anatomy first?

This is not my image and I will insert the link to the image right here. For the sake of all that clicking though, here is the image:

Ok – so now that you have that visual let’s talk about where and what you will be cutting. In case the items below are unclear I have included a video of my husband performing the direction. Here are your steps to follow:

1. If your bird came with giblets, now is the time to remove them from the cavity
2. Remove any possible excess feathers left behind
3. Locate the keel bone
4. Make your initial cuts along the keel bone, but not too deep to start. Just get it started
5. Once you’re sure you cut in the right spot gently pull each breast away as you cut as close to the bone as possible
6. Continue to follow the cut right down each side of the turkey. You will need to “pop” two joints (the shoulder and the leg (unless you have a good boning knife).
7. Trim any excess skin away as you go
8. Once your halves are removed you will have to cut the wing tip away to remove it.

So how ’bout we get to that video?

I thought you might be ready by now.

So that’s all I have for this segment friends! I hope you found it to be helpful. Please share comments and feedback. I welcome it!!! Now that you know how to separate the turkey hop on over to this post to see the best ever oven-roasted turkey breast! I have a little secret though. It works for the whole turkey!