Once you have the bird at home, make sure you're prepping it correctly. "Check the bird before roasting day," she says. "Folks will buy a turkey and they don't realize how cold they are, especially natural and organic birds that have no preservatives. They're going to be really, really firm and cold."

A juicy, flavorful turkey starts with the right preparation—and our favorite recipe requires us to start the thawing and prep on Monday. Whether you prefer wet brining or dry brining, and whether you roast it whole or spatchcock it,

As millions of families gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving, perfecting the Turkey is key to cooking an outstanding meal.