Goose, Whole

Cooking Methods: Roast, Poach then Roast, Smoke

Cooking Tips: When prepping a goose, trim the excess fat from the neck and cavity. That fat may be rendered and made into cracklings, or used to cook with. Prick the skin all over to allow fat to escape while cooking and carefully remove rendered fat with a baster or large spoon about every 30 minutes. As with most poultry, when roasting a whole goose, the breast may be done first and can dry out while the legs are finishing. You can remove the breast and keep it tented it with aluminum foil while continuing to cook the legs, basting often to keep them moist. Goose is cooked when the meat measures 165 - 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer and the breast juices run pale pink when pricked. As a rule of thumb, calculate between 13 and 15 minutes per pound unstuffed, and 18 to 22 minutes per pound stuffed. When the goose is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 20 to 25 minutes before carving.