How to carve a turkey

Points to remember

1. To remove the leg from the carcass, loosen it a little at the thigh socket with your hands, then carve into the natural joint – cutting through the socket of the bone.
2. To split the drumstick and the thigh, again loosen then carve into the socket of the bone.
3. To cut the breast meat, cut off the wing tip then make a horizontal incision underneath the breast towards the body of the bird.
4. Using a fork, carve slices of meat from the breast.
5. Repeat the process on the other side.
6. Alternatively, remove the breast altogether by making a horizontal incision under the breast, then cutting off the meat in one piece.
7. Put the breast on the chopping board, then cut across the breast. This is an easier way as it goes along the grain of the meat and gives a smooth slice.
8. Remove the wings in the same way as the leg, cutting through the socket where it attaches to the carcass.
9. Place the carved meat on a serving plate.

How to carve turkey breast

Carving a turkey crown is easier than carving a whole turkey, with fewer joints to work around. To ensure clean cuts of breast meat, follow one of these methods:

Method one