Take the turkey out of the fridge. Unwrap it, pat it very dry with paper towels (a wet bird is a sad bird). Then let it sit on a rimmed baking sheet.
Don’t put it in the sink, no matter what your conspiracy-theorist neighbor says. The sink is basically a petri dish for E. coli. You want a clean, dry surface.
While it’s sitting, you can rub it with salt and herbs. This is called dry-brining, and it’s like giving your turkey a fancy spa treatment before its big moment. Just don’t let the salt sit for more than an hour if you’re doing this room-temp trick.
Turkey Temperature Probe Placement Delicious Turkey Recipe: 5 Steps To
What About the Stuffing?
Do not stuff a room-temp turkey. That’s like putting a firecracker in a wet sock. The stuffing needs to reach 165°F, and if the bird is already warm, the stuffing will stay cold and dangerous in the middle.
Instead, cook your stuffing separately. It’s easier, safer, and you get those crispy corners that everyone fights over. Your turkey will thank you, and so will your guests.
I have a friend who insists on stuffing the bird. Last year, we ate at his house, and the stuffing was like a lukewarm brick. We all nodded and said, “Mmm, unique texture.” Don’t be my friend’s stuffing.