Do you let a cooked turkey rest in its juices?

It's generally not recommended to let a cooked turkey rest in its juices. Here's why:

* Bacteria: The juices from a cooked turkey can contain bacteria, even if the turkey was cooked to the proper temperature. Letting the turkey sit in these juices can allow the bacteria to multiply and potentially cause food poisoning.

* Moisture loss: Letting the turkey sit in its juices can actually lead to more moisture loss. The juices will cool down, and the turkey will begin to reabsorb them, making it less juicy.

* Flavor: While the juices may seem flavorful, they can also be quite salty. Letting the turkey sit in them can make it taste overly salty.

Instead of letting the turkey sit in its juices, you should:

* Tent the turkey with foil: This allows the turkey to rest and reabsorb moisture without being in direct contact with the juices.

* Remove the turkey from the roasting pan and place it on a cutting board: This allows the juices to drain away from the turkey.

After resting, you can:

* Carve the turkey and serve the juices separately: This allows you to control how much juice you use and prevents any potential bacterial contamination.

In short, letting a cooked turkey rest in its juices is not a good idea. It's better to tent it with foil or remove it from the roasting pan to allow it to rest and reabsorb moisture without being in contact with the juices.