Whole Turkey

Cooking a whole turkey on Thanksgiving or Christmas doesn't have to be a chore. If you make a plan — for brining, basting and roasting — then there's no need to worry that you'll end up with a dry, disastrous bird. Too often people wing it, which can cause their cooking strategy to unravel.

To some, turkey is a succulent holiday centerpiece — to others, merely a vehicle for gravy. Whichever camp you fall into, knowing how to cook and prepare a turkey so it emerges from the oven golden on the outside and juicy within is the key to keeping everyone happy.

Whether you’re a Thanksgiving pro ready to try something new (Will it be a spatchcocked turkey this year? A grilled bird? How about confit? ) or a holiday-hosting newbie preparing a whole turkey for the first time, allow this to be your guiding principle: You don’t need a complicated Thanksgiving turkey recipe; just stick to the basics and let the side dishes make it a show.