I’ll never forget the Thanksgiving when the turkey didn’t finish in time for dinner. As a professional recipe developer, I knew how long to cook a turkey, but my experience must have made me flippant.

Picture your holiday turkey: Do you see the bronze bird as the centerpiece of a feast? Or do you envision a platter of crisp-skinned thighs nestled among a few favorite dishes for an intimate ...

Editor’s note: A version of this story was posted in 2019 and has been updated. Thanksgiving Dinner may be the most iconic meal in American culture. It also may be the most stressful to prepare. How ...

It's basically impossible to do if you're just trying to eyeball it. Nearly all of your guests will bring a bigger appetite than usual, piling their plates with turkey and half a dozen side dishes.

Fresh turkeys can be kept in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before cooking. They are ready to prepare. Frozen turkeys can be purchased weeks before Thanksgiving, but they should be stored in the ...