Can you keep the insides of a turkey in and cook it?

It's generally not recommended to cook a turkey with its insides still inside. There are a few potential issues with this:

- Food safety: The insides of a turkey, including the organs and giblets, can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning if they are not cooked properly. Cooking the turkey with the insides could increase the risk of contamination and make it unsafe to eat.

- Even cooking: When you cook a turkey, it's important for the heat to circulate evenly around the bird so that it cooks all the way through. Leaving the insides in can prevent the heat from reaching the center of the turkey, resulting in undercooked meat.

- Flavor: The insides of a turkey can have a strong, gamey flavor that some people may not enjoy. Removing the insides before cooking can help to improve the overall flavor and texture of the turkey.

- Easier cleanup: Removing the insides of a turkey before cooking makes cleanup much easier. You won't have to deal with removing and disposing of the organs and giblets, and the roasting pan will be less messy.

For all these reasons, it's generally recommended to remove the insides of a turkey before cooking.