Tipton’s Guide to Perfect Poultry Trussing

January 25, 2018

Do you ever truss birds in your commercial kitchen?

Trussing is a fantastic cooking technique because it makes poultry cook faster, look more attractive and taste better. If your commercial kitchen prepares poultry, you don’t want to miss these trussing tips.

Trussing has multiple benefits for your commercial kitchen and your customers. The technique involves using skewers or string to tightly seal the bird’s cavity and keeps its shape while it cooks. Not only does this prevent the poultry from drying out, it also improves the presentation of the bird. The poultry maintains a more attractive shape, and when done right, the steam generated will puff out the bird’s skin, giving a very attractive look.

A beautifully-prepared bird can turn a traditional family meal into something even more magical. I want to give you my top tips for trussing in your commercial kitchen.

For this technique, you can choose to use either string or skewers. String works just as well as skewers, but most commercial kitchens choose to use skewers because they can reuse them for many years. So, without further ado, here’s how you can use skewers in your commercial kitchen for an exceptional trussing job.

First, you want to thoroughly clean your bird and pat it dry. Prepare the cavity of the bird as desired, by stuffing it, rubbing herbs on the inside, or leaving it untouched. With the bird’s breast facing up, pull the wings over the skin of the neck, and tuck them under the bird’s shoulder. Now, fold the neck skin over the opening. Use a skewer to keep it in place by threading it through the skin multiple times, just like you would if you were stitching fabric. Lastly, push the legs up against the bird’s body. Tuck in any extra skin between the thigh and the breast. Cross the bird’s legs and secure them with a skewer.

In a commercial kitchen, you always want to check your work to ensure your customers have the best experience. Have a look at your trussed bird. The wings should be stuck behind the bird’s shoulders. The cavity should be tightly closed. The legs should be held close to the body. Once you’ve checked this, your trussing is a success!

One more note regarding the use of metal skewers in your commercial kitchen: they get hot during cooking. Use care when removing them. Now, present your moist, attractively cooked bird to your customers. They’ll love it!

Cooking Equipment Spotlight: The Right Knife for the Job

Cooking Equipment Spotlight: The Right Knife for the Job

Not everyone who’s involved in a commercial kitchen has had professional training as a chef. As a result, not everyone is aware of how to choose the best cooking equipment for each job. Having the right knife is one of the most vital choices you can make during food...

read more
Cooking Equipment Spotlight: Choosing the Right Fryer

Cooking Equipment Spotlight: Choosing the Right Fryer

Choosing the right fryer may seem straightforward. After all, you just need something to hold oil and keep it hot so you can cook some things, right?   Not quite. You have a lot of choices, which helps you choose the cooking equipment that’s perfect for your...

read more
Keep Your Foodservice Equipment Coolers Clean & Functional

Keep Your Foodservice Equipment Coolers Clean & Functional

Whether you run a convenience store or a restaurant, you need safe storage for food that must be refrigerated. Commercial coolers are the foodservice equipment you need – but it’s important to keep them in good shape. Otherwise, your investment won’t give you the...

read more
Keep Pests Out of Your Commercial Kitchen

Keep Pests Out of Your Commercial Kitchen

Having pests in your kitchen is already a nightmare, but if health inspectors find them it gets even worse. Keep your guests safe and your restaurant operating safely. Your commercial kitchen is automatically a target of a variety of bugs and other pests. It has...

read more
The Best Kitchen Equipment for a New Graduate

The Best Kitchen Equipment for a New Graduate

If you’re like many people, you know a young adult who will be setting up their own place for the first time this summer. It’s an exciting time, but very nerve-wracking. It’s amazing how quickly the costs add up as you outfit an apartment – especially in the kitchen!...

read more
Outside the Commercial Kitchen: Food Safety While Catering

Outside the Commercial Kitchen: Food Safety While Catering

Many restaurants and other eating establishments like to provide catering for special events. Catering a huge business, worth over $53 billion per year. Catering allows your restaurant to reach customers who might never set foot in your establishment otherwise. It’s...

read more
3 Times Used Kitchen Equipment is As Good As New

3 Times Used Kitchen Equipment is As Good As New

Are you nervous about buying used kitchen equipment? It’s understandable. After all, restaurants are subject to a lot of regulations, and if something goes wrong you could lose your business. However, there are many times that used kitchen equipment makes perfect...

read more
Kitchen Equipment You Need: Wellness Mats

Kitchen Equipment You Need: Wellness Mats

When it comes to serving customers, you leave no stone unturned. You choose the best kitchen equipment, test your recipes, buy the best ingredients, and hire excellent staff. Unfortunately, there’s something that even the savviest restaurant owner often forgets –...

read more
Is Your Kitchen Equipment Ready for National Hamburger Month?

Is Your Kitchen Equipment Ready for National Hamburger Month?

Restaurants can always use a fun and playful way to bring in new customers. Did you know that May is National Hamburger Month? Why not use that fact as an entertaining way to bring in new customers? You can offer a special promotion on a hamburger, or feature other...

read more
Understanding Restaurant Equipment: A Variety of Fryers

Understanding Restaurant Equipment: A Variety of Fryers

You may think of a fryer as a simple machine with a basket and hot oil. If you do, you don’t quite understand this restaurant equipment. You’re missing out on the enormous range of different fryers available! The truth is there are four very different types of...

read more
How to Increase Sales From Your Cold Case

How to Increase Sales From Your Cold Case

As we move into May, it’s time to start thinking about ramping up your summer sales. One of the key focuses can be the cold case in your store. This piece of foodservice equipment can really boost your bottom line. A cold case gives you an opportunity to display...

read more