How to cook the perfect Christmas turkey, according to a Michelin-starred chef: 'It sounds simple, but it truly works'

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

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How to cook the perfect Christmas turkey

Wondering how to cook the most juicy and succulent Christmas turkey? Well, I asked one of the best chefs in the world, and her answer was reassuringly simple.

According to Clare Smyth, an internationally acclaimed chef with three Michelin stars to her name, there are two things you can do to level up your Christmas turkey: brining and using a smart meat thermometer.

How to cook the perfect Christmas turkey

1. Brine the bird

A pot with saltwater, oranges and herbs to brine a turkey — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

There are two key steps to cooking the ideal Christmas turkey. The first, according to Smyth, is to "Brine the bird first— it makes a big difference."

Brining essentially adds an extra day to your turkey prep, but it's the unmissable step that will give your bird a fighting chance of being juicy and succulent when it's time to carve.

You can dry-brine or use a saltwater solution when brining your turkey. It works by altering the protein structure of your meat, meaning it can retain more moisture. It also seasons the meat from the inside out, leaving you with a more flavorful dish.

2. Use a meat thermometer

Smyth's second piece of advice? "Invest in a temperature probe to ensure you don’t overcook it."

I've got a Meater thermometer to hand, having tested it for our best meat thermometers buying guide, but it's not too late to pick one up before the big day.

"It sounds simple, but it truly works. You can even buy probes that connect to your phone and alert you the moment it’s perfectly cooked."

After spending all that time and effort brining your turkey, the worst thing you could do is overcook it. But it's hard to know when exactly your bird is ready to take out of the oven, which is where the joy of a probe comes in.

This can be inserted into the turkey and send accurate readings from inside the oven to your phone, meaning you won't even need to open the oven to know if your dinner is ready.

Take it from a pro

Clare Smyth Corenucopia using hexclad product — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I learned this, and much more, from Smyth when I was given a first look at her brand-new opening, Corenucopia, to celebrate her appearance in the new series Open To Close, in collaboration with HexClad.

Clare Smyth is Chef Patron of the Michelin three-star Core in London and former Chef Patron at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. You can watch her episode of Open To Close on Tubi, available now.

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Millie is the Managing Editor of Homes at Tom's Guide. She's been reviewing home tech for over five years, testing everything from coffee makers to the latest vacuum cleaners.

With particular expertise in cookware and kitchen appliances, you'll struggle to find an air fryer Millie hasn't tested. She's traveled the world reporting on the latest home innovations and product launches, learning how to use pizza ovens from Pizzaiolos in Naples, and touring the De'Longhi factory in Venice. Millie is also an SCA-Certified barista.

When she's not reporting on home and appliance trends, Millie loves watching live music. She's currently learning the guitar - naturally, she plays a Fender.

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