Removing the Giblets

Another question we often get asked is “Where are the giblets and how do I remove them before cooking?”

The neck and giblets, which consist of the gizzard, heart and liver (which might be in two pieces), are traditionally included with the purchase of a whole turkey. A lot of folks expect them to be bagged separately but we tuck the neck and giblets into the main cavity of the bird without any extra bag or packaging. You will need to remove them before brining or cooking your bird. After your turkey is fully thawed (if you purchased a frozen bird), you can gently un-tuck the cut end of the legs from the flap of skin at the bottom of the bird. You can then reach inside and pull all the giblets out. Or if you prefer, you can lift the bird over the sink or a pan and gently shake them out. Just make sure all of them have been removed and set aside.

Are you having trouble removing the giblets because your bird isn’t fully thawed? We have another page where you can read about a Water Thawing Method here along with other thawing options.

If you’re unsure what to do with the giblets once they are removed, here is a quick article to read.

What to Do with Turkey Giblets

Still not convinced? You can always share them with your favorite pet.