The hardest part of preparing a turkey is getting it out of the silly bag! Then it’s taking the metal or plastic piece out of the turkey.

Removing the Metal Piece

You need to loosen the metal away from the drumsticks/legs – just push the end of the leg bone out from under the metal piece. Then, reach inside the turkey and pinch the metal together at the base. It’s kind of like a spring. When you pinch the two sides together, it releases the grip and it will pop open. Then you can get that thing out of your bird. I swear this is the hardest part to cooking a turkey – unwrapping the darn thing!

Another tip… If the metal is frozen into the turkey, you may have to run some cool water over it to loosen it’s grip. Also, don’t forget to check both cavities, the inside where the metal piece is and under it’s behind. There is a package of giblets under the skin. You don’t want to cook the turkey with that inside!

Removing the Plastic Piece

Have a plastic piece holding the legs together? Grab the plastic bar at the bottom and pull it out while pushing the bone parts of the legs through the upper part of the plastic. If it’s frozen into the bird, you will want to run some cool water over it to loosen its grip. It can take some effort! So, just keep pulling.

If you get water inside the cavity, you will want to turn it upside down to drain it or wipe out with a paper towel if it’s very wet.

Don’t forget to breathe! Happy Thanksgiving!