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Learn how to carve a turkey with these easy step-by-step instructions, photos and video. Impress your guests this Thanksgiving, Christmas and holiday season!

A carved turkey on a large platter decorated with greenery.

So you’ve roasted your beautiful holiday turkey and now it’s time to carve it! Follow these easy step-by-step instructions on how to carve a turkey like a pro.

Watch the video below to see just how easy it is before you get started!

Tools you need

How to carve a turkey

  1. Remove the legs and thighs

    Slice through the skin that connects the breast and the thigh and cut down until you reach the joint. Push and open the thigh with one hand while slicing through the joint with the other. Set aside.Carving the thigh and leg off a turkey

  2. Partially remove the wings

    Untuck the wings of the turkey and cut through the joint connecting the drumette to the flat + tip. Leaving the drumette on the turkey helps to stabilize the bird a bit and makes it easier to carve. Transfer to a large platter.Removing the wing from a turkey

  3. Remove the breasts

    Cut down the middle of the breastbone using long slicing motions. Use one hand to carefully pull away the breast while slicing it off the bone. Keep in mind that the breastbone is at a slight angle, so make sure to angle your knife as you slice. Set aside.Carving a breast off a turkey

  4. Removing the remaining wings

    Remove the remaining wing drumette by slicing it at the joint where it meets the breastbone. Transfer to platter.Carving the drumette wing from a turkey

  5. Separate the drumsticks from the thighs

    Cut through the joint that connects the drumsticks from the thighs.A turkey leg separated into a drumstick and thigh.

  6. Remove the thigh bone

    Cut away the meat from all around the thigh bone as cleanly as possible. I find that using long slicing motions helps.Removing the thigh bone from a turkey thigh.

  7. Slice the thigh meat

    Slice the thigh meat and transfer it along with the drumsticks to the platter. This is the dark meat.A deboned turkey thigh sliced and ready to eat.

  8. Slice the breast meat

    Slice the breasts and transfer them to the platter. This is the white meat.Two large turkey breasts sliced on a cutting board.

Serve your beautifully carved turkey on a platter and enjoy!

A carved turkey on a platter surrounded by Thanksgiving side dishes.

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2 Comments

  1. Elizabeth says:

    Thank you for this!!!!

    1. Isabel says:

      You’re so welcome! Glad this was helpful!