If you’re cooking for a smaller gathering this Thanksgiving, Trader Joe’s pre-stuffed turkey breasts are just perfect. They can easily feed 6 people and make a gorgeous, impressive presentation with cranberry-jeweled stuffing in the center.
Grab this turkey, add aside of vegetables, and dinner is done! If you go this route, we demand that you sear the outside first. Do not just toss it in the oven like the package instructions say, or you’ll end up with a dried-out hunk of meat. Repeat: Do not just follow the package instructions! I tried this the first time. I was on autopilot just following instructions, and before I knew it, I had a seriously dried-out turkey. The only way to salvage it was to dice it up and make soup with it.
As I stood there scratching my head, wondering what went wrong, I realized I had forgotten my cardinal rule of roasting when there’s no bone or skin to protect meat: sear first! Searing the outside forms a protective layer that locks juices in and keeps meat from drying out. It also gives the outside a mouthwatering golden color that you can’t get from simply baking. So please, I beg you to take a few extra minutes to sear the outside before baking.
Look for pre-stuffed turkey breast in the raw meat section of the store. It’s a great dinner option for an intimate gathering.