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How To Cook A Turkey For The Apocalypse, Or Thanksgiving [Videos, Photos]

By Charisse Van Horn
Published on: 10:31 PST, Nov 24, 2015

Cook a turkey in a trash can during the Apocalypse? You may think it can’t be done, but Rhett and Link, over at Good Mythical Morning, have shown us otherwise. As the nation prepares for their Thanksgiving feast, meat eaters must decide between different ways to cook a turkey. There’s roasted, grilled, deep fried in oil, slow smoked, slow cooked, glazed, sautéed, stuffed and brined, but this may be the first time you’ve seen an Apocalypse-ready, cooked in a trash can and ready in one hour Thanksgiving turkey. Not only do Rhett and Link demonstrate the “how to cook a turkey in a trash can” method equipped with tin foil and wood stakes, the turkey is cooked to perfection and you can watch the process from start to finish. The video has gone viral, garnering more than 200,000 views, and Rhett and Link also serenade viewers with a song perfect for any end-of-days Thanksgiving meal. If you’re looking for a unique, fun and creative way to cook a turkey that will withstand the cataclysm to come, check out the Good Mythical Morning video below. If you want a full recipe for making garbage can turkey perfect for the Apocalypse, or just Thanksgiving, All Recipes has a trash can turkey recipe on their site.

Disclaimer: Children, do not try this at home. Adults, do not cook a turkey in a trash can in your kitchen, living room, or anywhere indoors.

When it comes to cooking turkey for Thanksgiving or any time of year, food safety must be the number one priority. As most people purchase their turkey frozen, one area of preparation that careful attention must be given to is taking the turkey from the frozen state to the oven and to the serving table. Regardless of how you choose to cook a turkey, you must ensure that you are using safe handling methods, keeping the bird frozen and thawing it in a safe and adequate manner. The turkey must be cooked long enough to ensure no bacteria or microbes are present as this can cause serious sickness.

It’s important to understand the color differences in turkey meat as well. Sometimes turkey may change color during the processes of being frozen or thawing, and those who are handling raw meat need to understand whether the meat is safe to eat. According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), many color changes in turkey meat is normal and doesn’t indicate that the food has spoiled. You can learn more about color changes in turkey and whether or not turkey is safe to eat at the FSIS website.

Those looking for more resources can find help at FoodSafety.gov. In addition to safe methods used for freezing and thawing turkey, the government provides information on using a food thermometer to ensure that turkey is cooked to the proper temperatures, guidelines for stuffing a turkey as there is much debate and questions as to whether a turkey should be stuffed or if the stuffing should be cooked and served outside of the bird. One of the main questions that surround those learning how to cook a turkey is proper cooking times per pound of turkey. Those who are roasting turkeys also need specific information, as well as those who choose different methods for cooking turkeys, including using a trash can, deep fryer, smokers, or grills. Some prefer using a microwave, and it’s imperative that those who prefer any alternative or unique way to cook a turkey understands basic safety principles, cooking times, and safe handling methods. You may find more information regarding cooking a turkey safely here.

One area where many people have confusion is in regards to cooking times. When learning how to cook a turkey, knowing the length of time the turkey should cook in the oven is key to not only a safe and healthy turkey, but a delicious one as well. Make sure that your oven is set to know lower than 325 degrees F. To ensure your turkey is thoroughly cooked, use a meat thermometer. Your turkey is safe when it has an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. A stuffed turkey will cook longer than an unstuffed. For an 8-12 pound turkey unstuffed, cook between 2 3/4 and 3 hours. A 12 to 14 pound unstuffed, turkey needs to cook between 3 and 3 3/4 hours. Cook a 14 to 18 pound unstuffed turkey between 3 3/4 and 4 1/4 hours. A 20 to 24 pound turkey needs to cook between 4 1/2 and 5 hours. Add a half hour to cooking times for a stuffed turkey.

Check out these videos that show how to cook a turkey during the Apocalypse, or in your more traditional method for Thanksgiving. Which method do you prefer to cook a turkey? Are you going to try and cook a turkey with the trash can method?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCostombqR4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBXuTnv0gAQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suf9DkCE8zo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdfkDXk6DpU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21IcJIuGJc8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrdJmU1s7Xs

And for those who want a more traditionalist Thanksgiving turkey meal, there’s always the Paul Revere turkey method.

[Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images]

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