How do you time your turkey for Thanksgiving?

[pinkmomagain]

Do you time the turkey to be done early so you slice it up and keep warm for dinner time?
Or do you time it so that it's ready when guests arrive and slice when they are eating apps?
Or some other timing?

I don't usually do Thanksgiving but I am this year, and trying figure it out!

[SnuggleBuggles]

Done for dinner, not done early and kept warm. I worry it’d get dried out.
Remember that it should rest at least 30 minutes before cutting.


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[carolinacool]

I've never cooked a turkey in my 46 years. :ROTFLMAO:

However, my mom tends to time it so that it's done about an hour before we eat. That frees up the oven for last-minute items like rolls or to reheat a dish that my uncle or aunt might bring if they are eating with us that year.

They also don't slice it until we're eating the main meal, which is set up buffet style.

[carolinamama]

Sliced when we are grazing on apps and right before we eat. IMO, most sides are more forgiving than the turkey so I time almost everything around it. I can nuke sides or reheat in the oven without them getting dry.

[jent]

Done early because the one time I tried to time it to finish exactly on time, it took MUCH longer and we were all waiting to eat. I've always brined my turkey and it doesn't dry out.