Let's talk turkey — literally. There's quite a bit of pressure being in charge of cooking the turkey. It's the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal! Leave it in the oven too long and it drys out to the point where there's not enough gravy in the world to save it. Take it out too soon, and well, you have a whole different mess on your hands. The point is, your guests will be talking about your turkey, and your cooking skills, long after the meal is over so give them something to rave about.

Everyone has their secrets to cooking the perfect turkey, and I'm not here to say one is better than another, I've not had everyone else's turkeys. I'm going off the one I have had, my Mom's. Call me a "momma's boy" if you want, but if you're looking to wow your guests this year, follow these steps straight from Mom, and notice the special ingredient listed after the apple and onion.

Ingredients

  • 1 Turkey
  • 1 Turkey Size Cooking Bag
  • 1 Apple of your choice (Mom uses Granny Smith)
  • 1 Medium to Large Yellow Onion with papery outer layer removed
  • 1 Can Regular Mt. Dew (NOT DIET!)
  • Roasting Pan

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 and prep cooking bag according to directions on the back of the box.
  2. Place turkey in a cooking bag, then into a roasting pan and turn so the breast side is facing down.
  3. Stuff turkey cavity with apple and onion. Cut both into chunks to fit inside if necessary.
  4. Pour Mt. Dew into the cavity until it overflows a little.
  5. Rub your seasoning of choice on the the part of the turkey that is facing up. Close up the cooking bag and bake for the time listed on the bag box, or until the internal temperature of the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast reach 165 degrees according to an oven or meat thermometer.

The apple and onion bring a good amount of flavor to the party, but the Mt. Dew is the real star here. The liquid helps keep the meat juicy, especially the breast which is notorious for drying out first because it's white meat, as it boils inside the bag, while the sugars and citrus flavoring add a nice layer of sweetness that isn't overpowering.

Enjoy, and feel free to share this with your friends and family after they shower you with praise about how good your turkey tastes!

 

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