Whether creating a feast for family and friends, cooking for two, or skipping the traditional gathering all together, we’ve got you covered for ways to celebrate this Thanksgiving!
Frying
Never use a frozen turkey. Make sure the bird is completely thawed and dry. Ice or water can cause the oil to boil over and turn your gas burner into a house fire. Buying fresh is often the best choice for frying.
Use peanut oil, or refined canola or corn oil. Most suggest frying at 350 °F
for 3 minutes per pound, and no more than 12 pounds for most fryers.
Smoking
Smoking your turkey makes the end result more flavorful and tender. For a whole turkey, set the smoker at 240°F and smoke 30-40 minutes per pound of meat. For smaller birds, ~8-lbs, smoke about 4 hours. Larger birds, ~12lbs will take about 6 hours.
Grilling
Save your oven space for pies, rolls, and green bean casserole. Place the lid on your grill. Cook 11 to 13 minutes per pound or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh not touching bone registers 180°F and the juices run clear.
Turkey for Two
Most recipes are for the whole bird. But what if you want to cook turkey for two without leftovers until June? Here’s a simple yet delicious recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 turkey breast tenderloins (6 ounces each)
- 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
Directions
Place turkey in an 11”x7” baking dish coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl, combine wine, butter, salt, tarragon and paprika. Spoon over turkey. Arrange mushrooms around tenderloins.
Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 170°, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with remaining pan drippings.
don’t spend the day cooking!
In recent years, restaurants have accommodated families who want to spend their day with family, rather than in the kitchen. Several of our local favorites will be open Thanksgiving Day:
- Monument Café 9am-2pm 512-930-9586
- Gumbo’s on the Square 11 am-8pm 512-943-4214
- BB’s Home Cooking noon to 4pm 512-688-5234
- Simmer Down Café 512-763-1672
- Walburg German Restaurant noon to 4pm 512-863-8440
- We recommend calling ahead for reservations, to guarantee your seating.
- Some restaurants will enable you to stay out of the kitchen but enjoy the comfort of your own home.
- Jimmy Vega’s Smokehouse order by the 23rd 512-577-2813
- Cotton Patch Café 512-869-3400
- Dale’s Essenhaus order by the 18th 512-819-9175
- Smokey Mo’s BBQ
- Black Box
- Simmer Down Café
Visit HelloGeorgetown.com (#diningout) for detailed information, including times, menu options, and order-by dates.
Thawing Turkey Safely
The USDA recommends 24 hours for every 5 pounds of whole turkey, in a refrigerator set at 40°F. Thaw time in cold water requires about 30 minutes per pound in cold water, refreshed every 30 minutes.
Microwave Thawing
Follow your manufacturer’s instruction when defrosting a turkey. Plan to cook it immediately after thawing. Some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during microwaving, and because any bacteria present before freezing will begin to grow.
Pick your own
Thorndale Meat Market on 300 W US Hwy 79 accepts orders for partial or unique cuts of turkey for smaller or fancy recipes you might want to try. You can reach them at (512) 898-5387.