Do Yourself a Favor and Order Your Turkey Pre-Cooked.

Welcome to the Scammer’s Guide to Thanksgiving . While there is plenty of advice out there for people making desserts and artisan breads, The Con Man’s Guide is geared toward the individual who could use a helping hand, even from some unconventional sources. Some might call it “cheating” (as if that’s a bad thing), but there’s nothing wrong with using modern technology and supermarket know-how to create a stunning traditional feast – with far less of the traditional work involved.

At any well-organized Thanksgiving feast, the turkey is the center of attention. Without a doubt, it should be tasty, but this does not necessarily mean that you are the one preparing it. Wouldn’t it be nice to take a break from salting? Or stop worrying about the amount of seasoning needed? Maybe even save a few dollars? That’s why I’d like to encourage you to do something different this year and buy a pre-cooked turkey.

The Turkey That Changed My Mind

I have organized several Friendship Days and always cooked the raw turkey myself. I was largely impressed by the taste of the dry brine and the even and quick cooking of the spatchcock method . Last year came and I received two turkeys from the Distel Family Ranch – a frozen raw turkey and a frozen smoked turkey. I had never had smoked turkey for Thanksgiving before and I was delighted. What’s more, it was fully cooked and just needed to be defrosted and reheated.

I told my friends that we would have a ready-made smoked turkey this year, and not only did no one tut or wonder why I didn’t cook it myself, but the news was met with excitement. I spent the hours leading up to the feast preparing sides, arranging cheese plates, and plating desserts with the added peace of mind of not having to cook the turkey. Chill.

When the time came, I unwrapped the thawed smoked turkey, placed it on a baking sheet as directed, and heated it in the oven at 325°F. Sure, it took an hour, but it’s still a lot faster than raw turkey. I checked the temperature to make sure it was hot, but I didn’t have to worry about it being soggy or the inside being an unsafe temperature. I cut it out and served it, arranging it among a dozen sides.

I think it was just from the aroma wafting off the plate that I knew I wouldn’t be cooking turkey for Thanksgiving again. That’s it. The turkey was perfectly browned, amazingly flavorful and absolutely juicy. Apparently this feeling was shared at the table, because the next day there was absolutely no turkey left for sandwiches.

Save time and doubts

Having a turkey completely cooked by professionals took a weight off my shoulders. It’s not just about timing, it’s about cooking the “perfect” turkey. And if you’re hosting for the first time, even having to prepare an edible turkey can be overwhelming. There are many ways to brine, whether tying or roasting a bird, and the simple process of baking (not to mention smoking or roasting) a turkey for several hours can be tedious. Yes, and then you have to prepare a whole line of side dishes. Right.

If you’re going to cheat on anything about Thanksgiving food, I say order the turkey. Whether it’s from a turkey farm that specializes in cooking and delivering turkeys ready to heat up, or food from your favorite restaurant, it’s worth it. The professionals have the space and resources to marinate, season and cook a delicious bird, plus they’ve probably figured out the best way to package the turkey so it gets to you in the best shape possible.

Perhaps the most surprising thing, at least to me, is the cost. Many companies sell seasoned and cooked frozen turkey of the same weight for about the same price or less than the raw frozen bird they offer. If you end up losing over $100 anyway, then maybe you should take care of the hard part.

At home, you’ll potentially save yourself the hassle of storing a frozen turkey or the mess of storing poultry in the refrigerator (no accidental raw poultry leaks this year). You won’t have to worry about cleaning the raw parts of the bird. The roast is reheated in a fraction of the time it takes to cook it from its raw state. This means you’ll have more room in your oven for everyone’s favorite dishes—side dishes and desserts.

Where to buy cooked turkey

I’ve already mentioned my personal favorite, Distel’s stellar smoked turkey , but it’s worth noting that they also sell pecan smoked turkey , unsmoked oven-roasted turkey , and if you still want to make it yourself, don’t forget to make it all in advance, pre-brined and raw .

Although I have not tested the following, these birds can also be delivered for the holidays:

• Omaha Steaks offers smoked turkey .

• Mackenzie Limited offers Herb Roasted Whole Turkey .

• Burgers’ Smokehouse has a couple of cooked turkeys, including this Herb Roasted Turkey .

Consider ordering your turkey as soon as possible; today is not too soon. It is not uncommon for turkeys delivered to sell out or be delayed in delivery. Even though the turkey is pre-cooked, it will most likely end up frozen. All you have to do is leave it like that and move it to the refrigerator to thaw two days before you’re ready to reheat it.

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