Thanksgiving’s biggest stressor has long been the turkey, and Martha Stewart just offered a simple, celebrity-tested solution. In a new conversation with Food & Wine, the lifestyle icon championed a parchment paper method that she says reliably turns out a flavorful, tender bird with crisp, golden skin—without the constant basting.
Stewart calls it her parchment-cooked turkey, a centerpiece technique that appears in her milestone 100th cookbook. She summed it up with signature confidence: "There’s a parchment-cooked turkey, which is the most delicious turkey… That’s my new cheesecloth turkey, and it is spectacular."
What Martha Stewart Recommends
The approach borrows a classic French technique known as en papillote—traditionally used for fish and vegetables—and supersizes it for the holiday table. The idea is straightforward: butter and season the turkey, then enclose it in a snug parchment wrap for the majority of the roast. The paper creates a sealed environment that keeps the meat moist and infused with flavor.
According to Stewart, the payoff is twofold. First, the parchment traps steam and juices, allowing the bird to essentially self-baste as it cooks. Second, once the wrap is removed near the end, a brief blast at a higher temperature transforms the skin from soft to shatteringly crisp. The result? A turkey that’s juicy inside and beautifully browned outside—without the 30-minute basting timer.
Stewart has also walked fans through the process on social media. In 2023, she posted a step-by-step look on Instagram, captioning it: "How to butter and wrap a turkey for the en papillote method. Enclosing the stuffed bird in an envelope of parchment produces a juicy and crispy skinned result." It’s the kind of practical, repeatable guidance that has made Stewart a trusted voice for decades of home cooks.
How The Parchment Method Works
En papillote, which translates to "in paper," focuses on gentle, enclosed heat. By wrapping the turkey in parchment, you create a controlled cooking environment that minimizes moisture loss and reduces the need for hands-on care. The butter and seasonings remain close to the meat, and the parchment helps keep aromatics exactly where they can do the most good.
It’s also an accessible technique. Parchment paper is an inexpensive pantry staple, and the method doesn’t require any special gear beyond a large roll and a sturdy roasting pan. Compared with cheesecloth—Stewart’s longtime secret weapon for a burnished bird—the parchment wrap is clean, simple, and easy to remove when it’s time to crisp the skin.
Crucially, Stewart’s version builds in that final, higher-temperature finish once the paper comes off. That short, hot blast concentrates the exterior, ensuring the classic holiday look without drying out the meat you worked so hard to protect. For hosts navigating packed schedules and crowded ovens, the timing flexibility can be a major stress reliever.
Fans Are Eager To Try It
Stewart’s Instagram demo sparked an enthusiastic response, with followers swapping tips and memories in the comments. One fan noted, "When I was growing up, my mom would cook the turkey in a paper grocery bag," while another added, "This is why my mom’s turkey is the best!!! Martha & mom’s culinary wisdom for the win!!!!" The conversation speaks to how enduring—and personal—holiday cooking traditions can be, even as techniques evolve.
Stewart’s parchment approach offers a modern, home-cook-friendly route to the same goal: a centerpiece turkey that tastes as good as it looks. It’s a clear bridge between old-school, paper-based methods and a cleaner, more precise technique that’s easy to replicate. And because it cuts down on active maintenance, it frees up time and attention for everything else on the menu.
The Bottom Line For Thanksgiving Hosts
For anyone who’s ever hovered over a roasting pan with a baster, Stewart’s parchment method is an appealing reset. It focuses on locking in moisture during the bulk of cooking, then delivering that craveable, crackling skin at the end—all with tools most kitchens already have. And with Stewart placing it front and center in her 100th book, the idea arrives with a strong vote of confidence.
Whether you’re planning a small gathering or a full house, this technique offers a straightforward path to consistent results. Wrap, roast, unveil, and crisp: it’s a streamlined sequence that eliminates guesswork and cuts down on mid-meal stress. As Stewart’s fans noted, there’s comfort in time-tested wisdom—and even more in a method that delivers both flavor and finish.
Stewart’s parchment-cooked turkey underscores a simple holiday truth: you don’t need complicated equipment or elaborate steps to pull off an impressive main course. Sometimes, the best upgrade is a sheet of parchment and a little expert guidance. And this season, that might be all it takes to make your best bird yet.
