![Raw turkey legs in a white casserole dish, garnished with lemon slices](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.realsimple.com/thmb/g3YJOJkW19dWluuSIC0QViPEEk8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cut-raw-turkey-2000-7d56ac91ce2347e7a9dfe9a43560e57f.jpg)
A broken-down turkey roasts much faster than a whole one, cutting hours off your cooking time. While a butcher can sell you ready-to-roast pieces, it's not hard to tackle sectioning an entire turkey at home. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to cut up a raw turkey in no time flat.
This strategy is great for cooking your Thanksgiving turkey, especially if the bird didn't defrost in time.
Benefits of Cutting a Whole Turkey
If you've never thought about sectioning an entire turkey while still raw, consider that there are a few benefits to cutting a whole turkey before cooking.
- The turkey will cook faster and more evenly. Since the turkey is divided into smaller pieces, the meat will cook more evenly and quickly (compared to hours for a whole turkey). Now, you won't have to wait as long before enjoying your juicy turkey.
- Your oven will have more space. Smaller turkey sections can be placed in baking or casserole dishes, leaving more room in the oven for other baking needs. (Maybe you can roast vegetables and cook your favorite stuffing recipe at the same time as the turkey.)
- The defrost time will be reduced. It's much easier for a turkey breast or legs to defrost than waiting for an entire turkey to thaw. Plus, this works great for those with smaller refrigerators or if you purchased your turkey last minute.
What You Need:
- 1 whole turkey, raw
- Cutting board
- Sharp chef's knife
- Kitchen shears
- Bowl or container
How to Cut an Uncooked Whole Turkey
Remove Turkey Wings
![Illustration of a person cutting off and removing wings from a whole turkey](https://www.realsimple.com/thmb/_0bzOEURMJ6GZqndAr07YBp275s=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/remove-wings_300-471bfa6045e44d8d9f924f35443605ba.jpg)
Pull one of the turkey wings away from the body and wiggle it to locate the joint. With a sharp knife, cut through the joint where the wing meets the body. Repeat with the other wing.
Cut Off Turkey Legs
![Illustration of a person cutting off and removing the legs from a whole turkey](https://www.realsimple.com/thmb/vrdfA4S3mRIrQC-OSc6F0mNgI2w=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/remove-legs_300-b3823f8f90ad42a3a2de2baa860b87e1.jpg)
Pull each leg away from the turkey body; slice between the leg and breast until you hit the thighbone. Bend the leg away from the body to pop the joint out of its socket. Then, cut through the joint and skin to remove the leg.
Halve the Legs
![Illustration of a person cutting turkey legs in half into thighs and drumsticks.](https://www.realsimple.com/thmb/F3huCtjnZtEeomhvcCXcigDy0ZM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/halve-legs_300-14a3bdfb8bb841c9b909df25c83e8570.jpg)
Cut each turkey leg to divide it into thighs and drumsticks. First, turn each leg skin-side down, then cut through the joint at the top of the drumstick.
Extract the Backbone
![Illustration of a person cutting and removing a turkey backbone with kitchen shears](https://www.realsimple.com/thmb/ihrhN8AtDCnOOI0fUJVtpukB_LM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/remove-backbone_300-eedb4ac9a8c54cd0b52cfb1717520771.jpg)
With kitchen shears, cut down both sides of the backbone where it meets the rib cage and remove it. Place the bird breast-side up and press to flatten.
Save the backbone and other trimmings, like the giblets in the cavity, to make stock for turkey soup.
Split the Breast
![Illustration of a person cutting a whole turkey breast in half](https://www.realsimple.com/thmb/fDhZcD6lAczauNDPH7-bnmQ2Uvs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/split-breast_300-cfb588d3a9af4aeab3e5b7d0343796a6.jpg)
Flip the bird over, breast-side down, and with a knife, cut through the cartilage that runs between the two breasts. Use a firm pressing motion to snap the breast in two through the wishbone.
Set Turkey Meat Aside
Now that the turkey is sectioned into pieces, you'll want to place the breasts, wings, thighs, and drumsticks into a bowl, baking pan, or other container. Either season and prep your turkey for roasting or freeze the meat for future use.