Can you put olive oil or garlic butter on the turkey skin before cooking?

Yes, you can put olive oil or garlic butter on the turkey skin before cooking. It's a common practice for several reasons:

* Flavor: Both olive oil and garlic butter add a delicious flavor to the turkey skin.

* Moisture: The fat in olive oil and butter helps to keep the turkey skin moist, preventing it from drying out.

* Crispiness: The fat helps the skin to crisp up nicely in the oven or smoker.

Here are some tips for applying olive oil or garlic butter to your turkey:

* Don't overdo it: A light coating is all you need. Too much fat can make the skin greasy and prevent it from crisping up properly.

* Rub it in: Use your hands to gently rub the olive oil or garlic butter all over the turkey skin.

* Consider using a dry brine: This is a great way to enhance the flavor and moisture of the turkey. You can dry brine the turkey overnight in the refrigerator.

* Pat it dry: Before roasting, pat the turkey skin dry with paper towels. This will help the skin to crisp up better.

Important note: Some people believe that applying butter or oil to the skin before cooking can prevent the skin from browning properly. If you're concerned about this, you can try brushing the skin with olive oil or butter after the turkey has been roasting for a while.

Enjoy your delicious and crispy turkey!