Yes I know it’s hard to believe that it seems like last week was Halloween and next week is Thanksgiving. Nonetheless this time of year is my favorite for one reason…FOOD!

I am a certified foodie and I love to eat and with Thanksgiving around the corner what better time then to focus on the staple at most tables in America on that day…TURKEY!

I wanted to share a few of my favorite tips to help you have a picture perfect Thanksgiving this year for you and your soldier or milspouse friends.

Hosting a Picture Perfect Thanksgiving Meal

1. If this is your first year cooking a turkey seriously consider keeping the Butterball Turkey line number handy 1-800-Butterball  which is open from 8AM-8PM CST. I interviewed one of their Hotline Specialist and when I say I had no clue about all the tips and tricks to cook a turkey I really had no idea. She also told their hotline has had many military spouses call in who were away from family and had to cook their first turkey alone. You can read some of her wonderful tips from out interview here .

2. Plan out your menu ahead of time and start picking up items that sell out fast like pecans , sweetened condensed milk  , butter.

3. Make some dishes a day or so ahead and freeze, so that on the day of they can just be warmed up.

4. Do semi homemade on some items. For instance instead of peeling sweet potatoes to make a sweet potato casserole, save yourself time by buying the canned yams or sweet potatoes and then making them your own by adding to them.

5. Lastly let others help. It’s great to invite everyone over and it may sound good until you have to do all the shopping and start cooking and then comes the feeling of being overwhelmed. Ask guests to bring desserts and easy sides to limit what you will have to make.

As an avid Butterball turkey buyer I am always happy to work with them yearly and showcase any new resources that may be helpful to us military wives who may be making our first turkey this year.

 

                                                                                                     Source: digitallife.today.com via Butterball on Pinterest

One of the newest resources they have is the Butterball Iphone/Ipad app which Butterball Cookbook Plus app. This app continuously sends you free recipes at no charge, lets you cook without having to touch the screen by using voice commands. The app also includes timers , a notes section to personalize recipes, and the chance to network with friends and family via sharing plus much more. The app retails for $4.99 is super useful with a ton of recipes great not only for Thanksgiving but everyday life. You can get it in the app store on your phone or Ipad. I really did like fooling around with the voice command and because I worship my precious Ipad screen I hate touching it while I am cooking so this comes in handy.

Giveaway:

Butterball is allowing Army Wife 101 to give (2) lucky readers a $20 gift check to purchase a Butter ball Turkey for this Thanksgiving.

To Enter Simply leave a comment below telling me your best turkey preparation tip or one tip on how to host the best Thanksgiving dinner below.

This is a short giveaway and will end Thursday November 15th at 9AM. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and gift checks will be mailed out immediately.

18+ years of age to enter.

Disclosure: I received a Butterball gift check and Itunes Gift card. All opinions are my own and genuine.

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Krystel is the mom of two and an Army Wife. In addition to Army Wife 101 she is the Co-Founder of SoFluential.com a digital media agency that connects brands with the military market. She has appeared on MSNBC ,FOX LA and formerly was a weekly contributor to HLN's "Raising America". She has written for various outlets including Sheknows and Lifetime and is a big fan of cupcakes and french fries.

Krystel is the mom of two and an Army Wife. In addition to Army Wife 101 she is the Co-Founder of SoFluential.com a digital media agency that connects brands with the military market. She has appeared on MSNBC ,FOX LA and formerly was a weekly contributor to HLN's "Raising America". She has written for various outlets including Sheknows and Lifetime and is a big fan of cupcakes and french fries.
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67 Comments on *Expired*ButterBall Turkey Giveaway Plus New ButterBall Iphone/Ipad App Makes Cooking Easier

  1. My best turkey tip is putting a stalk of celery in the Turkey – it keeps it so moist! Butterball is our absolute favorite and tradition since I was a kid! MMMMM!

  3. With all the craziness that happens with Thanksgiving, I use paper plates! It make for easy clean up and less of a chance of breaking stuff. I also make a menu and have my guests tell me what they are going to bring based off the list I create. Of course they can tweak it, but it gives everyone a general idea of what I’m thinking.

  4. Use the drippings from the turkey to keep re-wetting it (every 15 minutes or so) so that it stays moist while it’s in the oven.

  5. My best tip is putting a lemon inside the turkey so that flavor bakes into it (but it doesn’t taste lemony), & squeezing lemons on the turkey throughout baking it. I also use (real) butter inside the turkey & rub it on before baking & keep applying it while baking. Sea salt is excellent & peppercorn on the skin. Mmm, now I’m hungry.

  6. give yourself time, if it is your first time practice the week before. You can always freeze the meat. invite friends over to share with you, have them bring part of the food

  7. This will be first year making whole turkey. :( In the past we have brought sides to help out the cook so they can also relax, and also enjoy the day. This year will make sure to put turkey in fridge so can thaw, and will make everyone’s favorite side dish.

  8. I alway plan activies. Last yr we seasoned out turkey with Garlic butter and cowboy rub we rubbed it all over an deep fried it! Yummy!! So juicey lots of wine on hand as well! :-)

  9. ArmyWife101, you are AWESOME! My family and I PCs from Fort Bragg last year to El Paso, TX and we are dying to get back to Fort Bragg. Thanks for all of your inspiration. My boys and I will not be having our traditional Thanksgiving this year because my husband is deployed and we are 26 hours from family. My best turkey preparation tip will be four words: Food Network Alton Brown. If you are not frying your turkey for Thanksgiving, then please follow Alton Brown’s step by step prep for brining your turkey. It will come out moist and golden brown with the right amount of crunch to the skin. It will look as if it went to the tanning salon and the rays kissed it in all the right places. It will be the most beautiful and succelent bird you will ever cook. Actually, it will be too pretty to eat.

  12. My tip is for a flavorful white meat. Clean out the turkey and slide your hand in between the skin and the meat. (careful not to tear it) In that opening I put a mix of butter and whatever seasonings I have a taste for. Rub it around in there as best as you can. Pull the skin back down into place and lightly bast the turkey in olive oil. The turkey breast comes out very juicy and the skin browns perfectly and is nice and crispy.

  13. I make small cuts under the skin and place chunks of butter seasoned with many seasonings the night before thanksgiving. We also use the butterball indoor electric turkey fryer makes such a wonderful fried turkey!

  14. I always use the ziplock turkey bags with my turkey and ham it keeps the meat moist and has a great flavor.

  15. I keep putting the juices over the turkey and put the stuffing inside and on
    The side of the turkey

  16. I’ve never cooked a Thanksgiving meal! Last year we ate at the DFAC, but this year we are cooking and going to the DFAC, so I don’t have any great tips other than enjoy your family! Don’t stress.if everything isn’t picture perfect.

  17. I have never cooked a turkey.. honestyly they make me nervous..lol I am a Army wife stationed at Fort Bliss. My hubby wants a turkey this year soo…. I am going to do it.. I don’t have anytips other than… never deep fry a frozen turkey..lol

  18. My husband is trying to talk me into deep-frying the turkey this year. He swears its the best! If we choose to roast it, I always rub butter over the entire outside and inside of the turkey and season with a variety of seasonings. This keeps it moist and the flavor sinks in.

  19. We inject the Turkey with a marinade my husband puts together. Then we fry it in our oil less fryer. We love how juicy the turkey is. Butterball is our favorite turkey.

  22. injecting it with marinade made with OJ sprinkling the inside with garlic and covering the skin with butter and ketchup …..delish crispy on the outside juicy inside :)

  23. I make a juice to inject the turkey; using butter, liquid garlic and other seasonings (to your taste). Inject the turkey, using an injector needle (I got mine with my stainless baster), insert in as many places on the turkey you want some extra ‘kick’. Leftover ‘juice’, I will just squirt under the skin.
    Basting the turkey is a must!

  24. My tips would be to plan ahead, have a list handy of the meal you are going to prepare, make sure you have all your ingredients on hand as well, you do not want to have to go to the store the day of because you forgot something. As for the turkey, I start it the night before on low temps and baste it all night and into the day of, it helps to keep it really moist and I use a combo of turkey/chicken broth and some butter to help it along the way!!

  26. The day before I clean it, then damp it all over with a paper towel. Then I mix mayo, little olive oil, pepper, oregno, salt, parsley and then lather the turkey with it all over! Yes, it smells pretty bad, but it sits over night you cook as directed and your turkey comes out as beautiful as you see on tv and somoist!

  27. Make sure to baste the turkey! Keeps it nice and moist.
    And my thanksgiving tip is to have a tradition- like a great dish that the holiday just wouldn’t be the same without!

  28. Definitely give yourself lots of time to prepare for cooking. I always start a few days before the big day to work on my menu.

  33. I always make sure to cover the ends of the legs with aluminum foil, so they don’t burn, and sometimes cover top of the turkey for the last half hour, for the same reason.

  34. I cook my turkey at a low temperature. I also place a stick of butter inside of it and rub another stick of butter on the outside. This gives it a really nice juiciness.

  36. My advice would be to take your time and to not expect perfection. Things go wrong and it is much easier to deal if you aren’t so focused on having a picture perfect holiday.

  37. We soak our turkey in a brine for 2 days before frying! Yummmmmmm We have always had great reviews from friends and family when they come over for Thanksgiving dinner. This year we will have about 48 people over I absolutely love thanksgiving and have so much to be thankful for! Good luck to everyone entering and may all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  38. The tip for a great turkey is to slow roast it.. turns out super juicy! Also try and relax, I know everyone wants everything perfect. But just enjoy the time together!

  39. My advice would be to prepare some dishes like dressing etc the day before so you can just put them in the oven the day of. Makes it a lot easier!! Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!!

  40. My best tip is put an apple in the turkey, it also is good for chicken. Don’t peel it, just put it in there and toss it when the turkey is done. It helps the inside from drying out.

  41. Thank you ArmyWife101 & Butterball for another great opportunity to win! This will be my first time hosting Thanksgivinng at our home. We plan to have many friends & family over, and I have been looking around for ideas for our turkey! I think Im going to try soaking in brine, in hopes to be very moist! Usually I do deserts or sides….my tip is just to enjoy the holiday with friends & family. Remember there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving enveryone!

  42. I think the best preparation for our turkey was learned from my husbands grandmother … a stalk of celery inside the turkey, keeps the turkey moist and she also taught me to cook our turkey in a brown paper bag! Makes for a beautiful and delicious turkey :)

  43. My tip is to make every holiday special. Don’t take it for granted if your soldier is home this year because he/she may not be next year. Make the most of every moment.

  44. This will be my first year cooking a turkey and have yet to host a Thanksgiving! This should be interesting!!

  45. This will be my first year cooking a turkey and my first year hosting a dinner, so I am not sure about tips. I have been looking on Pinterest for appetizer ideas and I found a really cute fruit turkey I will be making. So, if you want a clever appetizer, take a look on Pinterest!

  47. I do the basics on the turkey, lots of broth so I have tons of gravy, I always have my turkey on a rack of some sort so it doesnt get soggy, Yuck!! lol…then I put my homemade stuffing in so his insides are nice and full….dont forget to take out the innerds, forgot that 2 years in a row, it didnt end badly but I was the laughing stock of dinner 2 years in a row lol…I go all out on everything else, use bread crumbs and herbs to make my stuffing, i dislike anything in a can because of the additives it has Fresh is the Best! Homemade cranberry and blueberry sauce mixed together not everyone may like it but it gives a bitter sweet taste plus full of flavor and nutrition, when I make my sweet potato casserole I cut up the sweet potatos in smaller pieces so they cook faster and let them drain before mashing them up, then of course add the marshmellows and bake…i’m hungry for it already :) I always have my pies made the night before because its a major hassle trying to bake and prepare this massive meal, Cheesecake is a must but I dont do the usual NY style I like more Fall like flavors so Pumpkin cheesecake is the only way to go! And of course an apple and cherry or pumpkin pie.

  49. I love the cook in bag method!!! But for my turkey I take butter and mix it with pepper and some type of herb! Then rub the herb butter under the skin of the turkey and then on top of. I make up my stuffing and stuff my turkey full which i feel also gives it more flavor!! I love making Thanksgiving! Its my favorite holiday of the year!!

  50. This is our first Thanksgiving as a married couple, so I don’t have much experience, but my tips would be to cook/prepare as much of it as you can the day before. And secondly, relax and have a good time!!

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