Cut and Serve: How to Carve a Turkey With an Electric Knife

Last Updated on January 5, 2023

Carving a turkey is a daunting task for the uninitiated. Where do you start? There are so many different bits, and it’s tricky to know how to get the best meat and not let anything go to waste! If you need advice – look no further. We look at how to carve a turkey with an electric knife below.

Carve a Turkey Like a Pro With These 7 Simple Steps

Once you have done this a couple of times, you will be a pro, and your family will marvel at your turkey carving skills. Of course, a standard sharp knife could do the job, but we prefer an electric option for ease of use, cutting power, and convenience.

Step 1: Let Your Turkey Rest

Once you have checked your turkey’s temperature and are sure it is cooked, remove it from the oven. Be careful when doing this, and wait for any steam to escape before you dive in.

When you have extracted it, leave it in the cooking tray and let it rest for approximately 30 minutes. This allows it to cool slightly, so it is easier to work with, but it also lets any juices settle and re-distribute for better flavour.

Step 2: Remove Any String Used to Truss the Turkey

Depending on how you have prepared and cooked your turkey, you may have tied string around the legs. If so, now is the time to cut and remove the string once it has rested. The legs should then comically flop open, making the process easier.

Step 3: Place on a Cutting Board and Prepare a Serving Platter

Don’t try and cut your turkey in the cooking tray. It will be incredibly messy, and the juices in the tray will likely still be hot.

Instead, get a large cutting board out – big enough to support the bird without any parts hanging over the sides. You should also have a separate cutting board or serving plate ready to place the cut meat on.

Step 4: Remove the Turkey Legs and Thighs

The first bits to tackle are the legs and thighs, which can hide the breast. Use a carving fork or chef’s knife to hold the turkey steady.

Next, use your electric knife to cut any skin between the thigh and breast. You should then be able to simply pull the thigh and legs away.

Remove any bones and cartilage from both pieces until the joint pops. You can slice the thigh up or pull it into chunks, depending on how you like it.

Step 5: Remove the Wings

Removing the wings will be a very similar process. Just pull them away from the body and use your electric knife to sever any meat holding the two pieces together.

Many people do not serve wing meat as it is generally not as good quality. It can be used with the other remaining parts, however, to create stock.

Step 5: Remove and Slice the Turkey Breast

First, find the breast bone. Next, cut down and along the ribcage using your electric knife – this should allow you to remove the turkey breast fully. Repeat this for both sides; you should have two turkey breasts ready to slice.

It’s now a simple case of using your electric knife to slice the breast. Do this however you want – some people prefer uniform slices, and others don’t care! The main point is that when using electric knives, you don’t need to saw. The blade will do the work for you – just apply pressure and push down to get excellent slices.

Step 6: Dispose of the Unconsumed Parts or Use Them for Stock

All that should be left now is a mangled turkey carcass. The first option here is to dispose of it. To do that, it’s best practice to place it in a plastic bag instead of just putting it in the bin.

Before doing so, lift it up and let any juice drain off as best as possible. You can then bag it, tie it, and dump it.

Some people keep the turkey carcass and create a delicious stock instead. This means that every part of the bird gets used in some way. The stock will then be handy for making things like casseroles or risotto.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Job done! Hopefully, you now have a serving plate full of moist, delicious turkey ready to serve. You can place it on the table and let people take their favourite bits.

Once you are finished, don’t forget to plate any spare meat up, cover it with foil, and store it in the fridge. Cooked turkey will last for up to four days if cold-stored.

Get the Most Out of Your Turkey With an Electric Knife

And now you know how to cut a turkey with an electric knife like an expert! If you follow these tips, you will be surprised at just how much meat you can extract from the bird. There is so much more to tuck into aside from the breast meat.

Even if you don’t eat it all with your roast or Christmas dinner, you can place it in the fridge and use it for a variety of meals and snacks, including sandwiches, curry, and stew.