Let me offer FOUR suggestions...which are easy to implement and came help make for a successful turke..
1. If you are buying a frozen bird..put it in the refrigerator to thaw 4-5 days BEFORE you cook it...Larger birs take evne longer, and a bird that isn't thawed will NOT cook evenly.
2. BRINE the bird..it's the only way to go..and it's real easy..
3. If you don't have one..buy a thermometer..the only way to tell if a bird is cooked is to check the internal temp
4. When you take the bird out of the oven, tent it snugly with aluminum foil, and allow it to rest for 30 minutes. The bird continues to cook, internal temperature will rise by as much as 10degrees, and the juices will settle...and it will be much easier to carve..
What is "brine". This is the second reference to that this holiday. And,..do you cover the turkey with aluminum foil when you first put it in the oven?
How do you brine a turkey?
I had my first brined bird last Thanksgiving. And it was absolutely, positively the best turkey I have ever had in my whole life, hands down.