This is my friend's story about his first Thanksgiving in America. Props to you Marc.
I didn't know much about Thanksgiving. But there I was, alone in a new country, missing home like crazy. So I did the only thing that made sense—I grabbed some friends who were just as homesick as I was. Immigrants. People who knew what it meant to start over with nothing but hope.
We came from everywhere, Vietnam, Brazil, Pakistan, China. All of us alone in our own ways, but trying to piece together something that felt like family. My friends showed up with random dishes. Spicy tamales. Some dumplings. A stew that reminded me of home but made with spices I’ve never tried. We were all trying, you know? Trying to make something feel normal in a new place we have to call home for years to come.
The turkey? I put myself in charge of it. But really, I had no clue. Bought the biggest, cheapest one I could find. Watched YouTube tutorials the night before. I felt a mix of nerves and homesickness while I was about to carve the turkey, hands shaking. This wasn't just cooking—this was proving I could survive.
My Brazilian friend saw me struggling with the carving knife. "Calm down," she said. Just like that. No big speech. Just, "You've got this."
And somehow, I did.
We ate. We laughed. We weren't family, but we were something close. Something real.
That's what Thanksgiving really is. Not the perfect meal. Just people holding each other up.
The Thanksgiving Turkey Carving Guide: How to Carve the Turkey Step-by-Step
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving for the first time, don’t worry—carving the turkey doesn’t have to be daunting. With a few simple steps, you’ll be able to carve the turkey like a pro, and share the joy of this holiday with your loved ones, wherever they come from. Here’s how I did it:
Step 1: Let the Turkey Rest After the turkey is out of the oven, give it time to rest for about 20 minutes. This allows the juices to settle, so your turkey remains moist and flavorful when you carve it. During this time, you can check that everything else is ready—the sides, the drinks, and maybe just enjoy the company of your friends.
Step 2: Gather the Right Tools All you need is a sharp carving knife and a carving fork. If you don’t have a specialized set, don’t worry—just use a good chef’s knife. The key is that the knife must be sharp to make smooth, clean cuts.
Step 3: Remove the Legs and Thighs Start by gently pulling one leg away from the body, cutting through the skin between the thigh and the body. Once you can see the joint, cut through it to remove the leg completely. Repeat on the other side. You’ll now have two beautiful, juicy turkey legs ready to serve.
Step 4: Separate the Drumsticks and Thighs If you want to serve the thighs and drumsticks separately, just find the joint that connects them, and cut through it. Now you have two different pieces—perfect for people who like dark meat.
Step 5: Carve the Breast Meat Next, make a cut along the breast bone to expose the meat. From there, slice the breast meat into ¼-inch thick slices. Make sure to follow the contours of the ribs to get clean, even slices. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try cutting the meat into thin strips for a more modern presentation. This carving knife carves your turkey like butter.
Step 6: Carve the Other Side Once the first side is done, turn the turkey around and repeat the same steps on the other side. The turkey should come apart easily, leaving you with perfectly sliced white meat for your guests.
Step 7: Carve the Wings (Optional) The wings can be tricky, but they’re a great addition if you want to serve them as part of your platter. Use the carving knife to find the joint where the wing connects to the body and cut through it. If you’re feeling generous, you can break them into smaller pieces for easier eating.
Step 8: Plate and Serve Once your turkey is carved, arrange the slices on a large platter, mixing the light and dark meat for a variety of flavors. Don’t forget to add the legs and thighs—those are always a hit! Serve it alongside the dishes your friends brought, and enjoy the beautiful community you’ve created.
Thanksgiving is more than just a meal. It’s a time to reflect, to give thanks for the journey you’ve made, and to cherish the people around you—whether they’re from your hometown or from across the world. We may have been away from our families for the first time, but we made new memories, new connections, and new traditions that will last a lifetime.
Happy Thanksgiving, from the Foxel family to yours. May your turkey carving be as meaningful as the traditions you create, and may the warmth of the holiday fill your heart, no matter where you are.