How to Truss a Turkey: Step-by-Step Guide

Trussing a turkey is the act of crossing and then tying the turkey legs over the bird’s cavity, typically by using kitchen twine or butcher’s twine. It gives the turkey a more compact shape than leaving the legs open and is one of the most popular ways to serve poultry at Thanksgiving dinner.

There’s no solid consensus around why or if trussing a turkey makes a difference to the flavor, texture, or cook time—some turkey recipes recommend it while others don’t. Trussing proponents argue that covering the turkey breasts with the legs prevents the breasts from burning in the oven and yields juicy meat.

Meanwhile, trussing opponents maintain that leaving the legs open and untrussed creates a crispy skin by allowing more of the oven’s hot air to circulate.

Many people truss their turkey simply for the look of it. It makes the bird look neat alongside the mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, and other side dishes on the holiday table.

Creating an elegant and functional Thanksgiving truss for your turkey is easy. Here’s a step-by-step look at how to prep your bird for the oven:

1. 1. Prepare the turkey. If you bought it frozen from the grocery store, thaw your whole turkey and remove the neck and giblets. If you intend to cook stuffing inside the turkey, fill the bird with it now since you’ll be covering its cavity in later steps.
2. 2. Tuck the turkey wings. Place the turkey breast-side-up on a cutting board and tuck the wingtips under the shoulders. Folding the wings in creates a solid base and prevents them from burning. Alternatively, use poultry shears to remove the wingtips, which you can use for homemade turkey stock or another purpose.
3. 3. Cross and tie the drumsticks. Cross the turkey legs over each other so they cover the cavity. Then wrap a piece of string or twine around the turkey’s ankles until they feel tightly bound. Make a knot to hold the wrapping in place.
4. 4. Continue with kitchen prep. Cut the excess from your string or twine and carry on with your roast turkey preparations.

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