May 17, 2012

Win a Dinner for Two at a Great Las Vegas Steakhouse

December 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The Charcoal Room at Santa Fe Station.

The Charcoal Room at Santa Fe Station. (Not pictured: You eating a free steak.)

We got the steak and the sizzle.

Starting the week of December 14 with the amazing Charcoal Room at Santa Fe Station, we’re giving away four steak dinners for two. The Charcoal Room is one of nine first-class Las Vegas steakhouses at Station Casinos locations.

Click to get the juicy contest details

The steak dinner giveaway is part of a meatier message from Station Casinos: A Great Steak is Just Around the Corner! In other words, you don’t have travel too far or pay too much to get the best cut of beef in Las Vegas. For instance, the four winners of this month’s steak dinners at The Charcoal Room will be able to select from Filet Mignon, New York, T-Bone or Ribeye. If you’re like me, you know you love steak but don’t know all that much about the actual cuts. Here’s a breakdown courtesy of Bryan “T-Bone” Dillon, director of luxury culinary operations at Station Casinos.

Tenderloin (Filet Mignon)
Known as the most-tender cut of beef as well as the “Cadillac of Steaks.” Extremely juicy and when cooked over high temperatures on a seasoned wood grill it produces a flavor profile that is buttery and mild with a succulent flavor and consistently great eating. This is cut from the least-used muscle on the animal and therefore doesn’t get overworked and tough.

New York Sirloin (aka New York Strip)
Bone-in or boneless, this is a lean and tender eating steak with a robust classic beef flavor absolutely perfect for people looking for a great beef experience.

Porterhouse or T-Bone
Truly the best of both worlds as it is comprised of both the tenderloin and the New York sirloin. It boasts extremely tender cuts and has exceptional beefy flavor because of the bone that runs through the center. Known as the “King of Steaks.”

Ribeye
A true steak-lovers steak: rich flavor, juiciness and tenderness with rich marbling throughout. Pan-seared or grilling produces outstanding results. One of our guests’ favorites, hands-down.

“Our steaks are certified Angus Beef, which boasts superior marbling for flavor and juiciness and is consistent in coloration and texture,” Dillon said. “Our product is graded to meet Station Casinos’ demanding specifications and is chosen only from animals that meet our standards for age, breed and finish (i.e., corn-fed an all vegetarian diet to produce consistent marbling throughout).”

Win a steak dinner for two at Santa Fe Station’s Charcoal Room. Here’s how:

• Station Casinos is giving away four (4) steak dinners for two (2) to The Charcoal Room at Santa Fe Station, (up to $80 value). One winner will be selected per week for the next 4 weeks.

• Winners must follow @stationcasinos on twitter. http://twitter.com/stationcasinos (This is important so we can notify you if you are selected a winner).

• To enter to win: using twitter, re-tweet (RT) our contest announcement posts throughout the week.

• Winners must be 21 years of age or older.

• First weekly winner will be announced on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 17.

• Second weekly winner will be announced on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 23.

• Third weekly winner will be announced on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 31.

• Remaining weekly winner announcement dates to be announced week of giveaway.

• Winners will be randomly selected and notified via Direct Message (DM) on Twitter. Winner will receive a DM from @stationcasinos with phone number to call. Details (name, phone number, email address) will be requested from winner via phone, and instructions will be given to claim and redeem certificate for steak dinner at The Charcoal Room.

• Winner must present valid identification at Santa Fe Station Rewards Center to claim certificate.

• Certificates will be available for pick-up from Santa Fe Station Rewards Center for a period of 7 days on the following Friday after announcement of winner, and redeemable at The Charcoal Room at Santa Fe Station for a period of 30 days after announcement of winner.

• To view hours and menu, visit http://www.santafestationlasvegas.com/dining/charcoal/

• Management reserves all rights.

• Enjoy Great Steaks and Happy Tweeting!

Filed Under: Dining, Events, Santa Fe Station Tagged With: , ,

Days Inn to Serve as Hotel Brand at Wild Wild West Gambling Hall

December 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment
WWWlogo_blog

Agreement ushers in the return of a Days Inn location in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS — Executives from Station Casinos, Inc. have announced an agreement to bring the Days Inn hotel brand to the Wild Wild West Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, ushering in the return of a Days Inn location in Las Vegas. The property will be rebranded as Days Inn – Las Vegas at Wild Wild West Gambling Hall. Reservations are now being accepted through the Days Inn reservation system for hotel stays beginning December 15, 2009.

The Wild Wild West Gambling Hall is located at 3330 W. Tropicana Ave on the northwest corner of Tropicana Ave. and I-15 behind the Las Vegas Strip. It features 260 guest rooms and suites; 24-hour dining at Denny’s; a pool area and a casino offering table games, a sports book and more than 200 slot and video poker machines. Due to its premiere location off the I-15 interstate, the Wild Wild West also serves as a major truck stop in Las Vegas and features an on-site fueling station and parking for more than 200 trucks.

The association will bring Days Inn guest service and room standards to the Wild Wild West property, as well as allow guests who stay at any participating Wyndham Hotel Group property to take part in the Wyndham Rewards ® loyalty program, the largest loyalty program in the lodging industry based on the number of participating hotels. The hotel staff will remain team members of Station Casinos.

Guests of Days Inn – Las Vegas at Wild Wild West will enjoy complimentary coffee each day provided inside Denny’s, WI-FI access, cable television including HBO, hair dryer, desk, complimentary USA Today and a coin operated laundry facility. The hotel is also pet friendly. Room rates will start at $39.99 a night.

“Aligning with Days Inn, a well-established and respected hotel brand, provides the Wild Wild West property an amazing opportunity to draw in guests who have an affinity for staying at a Days Inn location wherever and whenever they travel,” said Kevin Kelley, COO of Station Casinos.

“We are very pleased to have the Days Inn brand represented in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world,” said Clyde Guinn, Days Inn President. “We are also very excited to bring together our internationally recognized hotel brand and Station Casinos, an entertainment institution that has been a part of the Southern Nevada community for over 33 years.”

Days Inns Worldwide, a member of the Wyndham Hotel Group family of lodging brands, is a chain of economy and upscale hotels located throughout the world that offer guests single, double and suite accommodations. All properties in North America and most properties in other regions feature high-speed Internet access, SolTerre® bath amenities and weekday newspapers.

Reservations and information are available by calling (800) 329-7466 or by visiting www.daysinn.com. Days Inn hotels are independently owned and operated under franchise agreements with Days Inns Worldwide, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN).

Station Casinos, Inc. is the leading provider of gaming and entertainment to the residents of Las Vegas, Nevada. Station’s properties are regional entertainment destinations and include various amenities, including numerous restaurants, entertainment venues, movie theaters, bowling and convention/banquet space, as well as traditional casino gaming offerings such as video poker, slot machines, table games, bingo and race and sports wagering. Station owns and operates Red Rock Casino Resort Spa, Palace Station Hotel & Casino, Boulder Station Hotel & Casino, Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino, Wildfire Casino and Wild Wild West Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada, Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel and Fiesta Rancho Casino Hotel in North Las Vegas, Nevada, and Sunset Station Hotel & Casino, Fiesta Henderson Casino Hotel, Magic Star Casino, Gold Rush Casino and Lake Mead Lounge in Henderson, Nevada. Station also owns a 50% interest in Aliante Station, Green Valley Ranch Station Casino, Barley’s Casino & Brewing Company and The Greens in Henderson, Nevada and a 6.7% interest in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Filed Under: Gaming, Hotels & Casinos, Press Releases, Wild Wild West Tagged With: , , , , ,

LET’S GO BOWLING: Early Lines for Bowl Games Now Available

December 8, 2009 By 1 Comment
Sports books at all Station Casinos locations, including at Red Rock Resort, are ready with the early lines for college bowl season.

Sports Books at all Station Casinos locations, including at Red Rock Resort, are ready with the early lines for college bowl season.

Trivia Time: Which of the following is not a real college bowl game?

  1. Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
  2. Eagle Bank Bowl
  3. Chick-Fil-A Bowl
  4. Humanitarian Bowl
  5. Emerald Bowl

Answer: None of the above. These are five of  34, yes 34, games this bowl season. (By the way, Chick-Fil-A is delicious.) Depending on your point of view, 34 bowl games is either somewhat ridiculous or just awesome.

Jason McCormick, Director of Race and Sports, tells the Blog that the early lines for the BCS Games are currently available at Station Casinos Sports Books and the odds for the rest of the other 29 bowl games will be on the board by the end of the week. The first bowl game kicks off Saturday, December 19.

With all the upcoming college football bowl games, along with college hoops, pro hockey, basketball and football, now is a great time to check our Sports Connection, Station Casinos’ remote-betting option.

Here’s what we know. Who do you think is favored at the Sports Book?

  • Alabama looked awesome beating Florida. Texas needed an end-of-game field goal to get by feisty Nebraska.
  • Undefeated and unknown Boise St. will face undefeated and hardly known TCU. The winner will likely be left as the only undefeated team (assuming a Cincy lost) this season not to be called national champions.
  • Cincinnati puts its undefeated record on the line versus defending-champion Florida.

If you want to argue about which is the best team this year, tell us below or vote at our poll to the right.

Happy Bowling!

Filed Under: Gaming, Race & Sports, Sports Tagged With: , , , , ,

Vegas Milestone: Boulder Station Celebrates 15 Years

December 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment
15years2inside

15-YEAR ANNIVERSARY. The team has become a "second family" for many of the 150 employees who have worked at the casino on Boulder Highway since it opened in August 1993.

Boulder Station opened its doors to the city of Las Vegas on August 23, 1993. Fifteen wonderful years after that historic day, our property still continues to be a leading contender along the Boulder Highway. More importantly, more than 150 of the original Team Members who helped with the opening proudly remain dedicated to supporting and providing service to our guests.

On August 23, 2009, our Station Casinos Team Members were treated to brunch. The menu included eggs Benedict, carved ham, seasoned potatoes, as well as other delicious food. A special event was planned for our Team Members who have been with the company for 15 years or longer. The festivities were held in the Railhead and Team Members feasted on a gourmet menu that featured grilled steak medallions, chicken Marsala, sautéed asparagus, and much more!

General Manager Don Richardson invited Team Members to say a few words on their fondest memories while working at Boulder Station. Tears were shed and the laughter was contagious, but the constant message resonated through each speech was that “Boulder Station was a second family.”

The evening ended with a raffle where each Team Member was given a small token of appreciation. As one Team Member stated, “I will work for Boulder Station for 15 more years and 15 more years after that!”

Post any of your fond memory of Boulder Station below. Thanks for your support.

Filed Under: Boulder Station, Events, Hotels & Casinos, Misc Tagged With: , , , , ,

Station Casinos COO blogs, for the first time, EVER!

December 1, 2009 By
Kevin Kelley, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Station Casinos

Kevin Kelley, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Station Casinos

During my 30-plus years in the gaming industry, I’ve certainly seen a lot of exciting changes and tremendous innovation in what our hotel and casinos offer to you, our valued guest.

Today I’m excited to share with you our latest evolution that taps into the growing popularity and interactive fun that can be found online.

Station Casinos is once again embracing innovation by reaching out to you in a new way with Facebook, Twitter and blogs to name a few. Not that the old way doesn’t work, but it’s one-way communication where we share news, special events and promotions with you in traditional ways such as newspaper and TV ads, emails and direct mail delivered to your home.

To usher in this new era, I’m pleased to welcome you to my very first blog. Not just for Station Casinos, but my very first blog EVER! This will, more than likely, shock my children that I actually have a blog.

The new way gives us a chance to meet and interact with you in real time, before you even step foot inside one of our casinos. We wanted to use these exciting platforms to learn about what’s in the hearts and minds of our guests; find out what’s important to you and get your feedback so we can continue to deliver on our promise to provide you with great value, an array of entertainment choices and extraordinary guest service.

Our philosophy is to be “good listeners” and to help create entertainment experiences for you that are memorable, fun and a great value.

I hope you will check us out and become our Facebook Fan, follow us on Twitter, check out our videos on YouTube and share your photos from your fun times at our casinos on Flickr. Come back and visit my blog from time-to-time as well. In my next posting, I’ll fill you in on what my kids said when they saw my blog.

Before I go, let me close with wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy holiday season.

Kevin J. Kelley
Chief Operating Officer

Filed Under: Hotels & Casinos, Misc Tagged With: , , , , ,

Red Rock welcomes JD LIVE to Rocks Lounge

November 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment
JD Live performs every Friday and Saturday at Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock Resort

JD LIVE performs every Friday and Saturday at Rocks Lounge.

Station Casinos welcomes JD LIVE, a Hollywood native, dance music producer and DJ, to the Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock Resort.

JD LIVE has appeared on the nightclub scene in 1994, and with his dynamic style he quickly became a crowd favorite.

His extensive library of sounds ranges from Top 40 and Mash Ups to Flashbacks, Rock and Oldskool, however, you’ll never know when he decides to sneak some other elements into his play list. The clubbers love him and the party doesn’t stop until his records are done spinning.

His ongoing success and attention to detail with remixes have been profound in the dance world. Never one to rest, JD has launched Groove Universal Records, introducing the best in dance music.

JD LIVE recently told us about himself.

“Music is my passion; I make it, I play it. There’s only one thing on my mind when I’m in my studio or at the club, keep the crowd movin’.

I seek to bring back quality in music through mixing and producing. I understand the concept of when customers come into a nightclub they want to be entertained.

Customers are paying to experience something new. They want the music to keep them dancing all night! I strive to not only to provide music, but also to give the crowd something to connect with and most importantly something to remember…”

Join us every Friday & Saturday at Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock Resort from 9pm – 2am. (Please note: Dark on 1/15/10 and 1/16/10)

Filed Under: Concerts, Entertainment, Red Rock Resort Tagged With: , , , , ,

Linda’s Jumbo Reel Cash Bonus was $10,000

November 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment
 

Linda hit the Jumbo Reel Cash Bonus for $10,000 at Fiesta Henderson in November.

View all current Gaming Promotions at Station Casinos

Get your Boarding Pass player’s card now

Filed Under: Gaming, Slots & Video Poker, Winners Tagged With: , , , , , ,

I might be a redneck, thanks to Nawgahyde

November 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Seriously hilarious. Nawgahyde rocks Club Madrid every Saturday at Sunset Station.

Seriously hilarious. Nawgahyde rocks Club Madrid every Saturday at Sunset Station.

When I heard there was a band named “Nawgahyde” starting on Saturdays at Club Madrid, I wasn’t sure what type of music to expect. Was it metal? Was it gangsta rap? A DJ? As soon as I saw the promotional materials, though – no further questions. The “Kickass Mustache Rock” signs made me chuckle, and instantly reminded me of the old “Freedom Rock” commercials from the 90′s:

“Heyyyy, man… Is that Freedom Rock?”

“Yeaaaahhh, man.”

“Well, turrrrn it up, man!”

I had to see this band in person.

Last Saturday night, a small group of friends and I drove to Sunset Station in Henderson to “get our asses kicked” by Nawgahyde. We arrived a little early and enjoyed drink specials brought to us by the lovely Toni Ann, who donned country-girl attire in theme with that night’s Daisy Duke Look-alike Contest. (I didn’t look at the short shorts, I swear!)

The classic 80′s metal videos on the big screens in Club Madrid set the mood leading up to the show. Visuals from Iron Maiden, Van Halen and Poison turned the conversation to David Lee Roth’s tights, Twisted Sister’s makeup, and Bret Michaels and his Aqua Net. Soon after, Big Mex, host of Outlaw Radio on KOMP 92.3, The Rock Station, took the stage to introduce the Nawg.

Initially, you’ll laugh. Wait, what am I saying? You’ll laugh all night. Brothers Dallas and Houston Texas don’t miss an opportunity to insult one another, while Drummer Skeeter uses his CB to “copy that” each time he agrees. There are a few breaks between sets, when the audience members are invited on stage to participate in pranks, contests and general mayhem, reminiscent of a Dukes Of Hazzard episode.

Here’s the real deal, though: these guys seriously rock! While the comedy is thick, the riffs of 70′s and 80′s rock classics are no joke. The crowd, like my guests, may have been a bit skeptical at first. After all, Nacho, the guitarist, looks as if he’s asleep on stage at first – until he starts ripping into solos like Iron Man by Black Sabbath, or Boston’s More Than a Feeling,and classics from ZZ Top, Ted Nugent, and you know there’s some Skynyrd.

You’d definitely get your money’s worth – if you had to pay. It’s a FREE SHOW! All the more reason to trim up that mustache and “git on down” to Sunset Station with your friends on Saturday nights to get your asses kicked for yourselves.

See photos of the show on Flickr.

Visit Nawgahyde on MySpace.

Follow Skeeter Nawg on Twitter. (Yes, the Nawg tweets).

Filed Under: Concerts, Entertainment, Hotels & Casinos, Sunset Station Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Special Thanksgiving Meals at Station Casinos

November 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Oops! These are Thanksgiving leftovers from 2009.

Please go this way for our 2011 Las Vegas Thanksgiving Dining Guide.

Happy Turkey! Station Casinos is stuffed with Thanksgiving Day Dining Specials.

Happy Turkey! Station Casinos is stuffed with Thanksgiving Day Dining Specials.

All the trimmings with none of the cooking or dishes.

Station Casinos is extending Thanksgiving dining options at all of our casinos including a company-wide Turkey Day feast at the Feast Buffets. Be our guest and join us for a scrumptious holiday meal at your favorite Station Casinos or Fiesta location.

Here are the delicious details (and don’t forget your Boarding Pass or Amigo Card to get the nice price):

Feast Buffet at Aliante Station
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.

Feast Buffet at Boulder Station
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.

Festival Buffets at Fiesta Henderson and Fiesta Rancho
$12.99 with Amigo Card | $14.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Includes hand-carved Roasted Turkey, Glazed Ham and Prime Rib to go with all the trimmings. Fresh soups, salads, entrees and sinful desserts. Plus your favorite live-action cooking stations with over 60 fresh selections.

Feast Buffet at Green Valley Ranch
$18.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $21.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Luxurious holiday feast that includes Champagne and Mimosa. From Roasted Prime Rib with all the trimmings to an unmatched selection of shrimp and seafood to the traditional Tom Turkey.

Feast Buffet at Palace Station
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.

Feast Buffet at Santa Fe Station
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.

Sunset Station
Feast Buffet
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.

Sonoma Cellar Steakhouse
$25.00 + tax/ gratuity
Thanksgiving Menu
Includes Brined, Herb-Marinated, and Roasted Turkey Breast and Thigh with house-made dressing with oyster mushrooms, water chestnuts and herbs. Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Haricot Verts with creamy onion and bacon sauce. Turkey Demi-Glace, House-Made Whole Cranberry Sauce, Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream and orange-cranberry relish. Book your reservations online!

Capri Italian Ristorante
$19.99 + tax/gratuity
Thanksgiving Menu served 3pm – 9pm
Corn and Crab Chowder Soup, served with crustinis and garnished with king crab meat. Traditional Tom Turkey, white and dark meat with stuffing, mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables and giblet gravy. Pumpkin Pie for dessert.

Guadalajara Bar & Grille
$11.99 + tax/gratuity
Thanksgiving Menu served 3pm – 9pm
Turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, mixed vegetables and cranberry sauce. Pumpkin Pie for dessert.

Hooters
Special Thanksgiving Day hours from 11am – 6pm

Coco’s Bakery & Restaurant
Open 24 hours
Thanksgiving Holiday Dinner $11.29 +tax/gratuity
Moist, flavorful turkey breast roasted to perfection and served with all of your favorites: Hearty stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, rich turkey gravy, seasonal vegetables, tangy cranberry sauce and your choice of today’s soup or green garden salad. Includes a free slice of pumpkin pie. Children’s menus available in kid-friendly portions for $6.99. Take home a fresh baked holiday pie!

Feast Buffet at Texas Station
$13.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $15.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Traditional Thanksgiving Feast that offers extra touches, from unique desserts including our special “hand-dipped” Ice Cream, to Champagne and Mimosa. Two of the newest buffets in town also offer freshly carved Virginia Baked Ham and Tom Turkey.

Red Rock Casino Resort Spa
Feast Buffet
$18.99 with Boarding Pass Card | $21.99 without
11am – 9pm Thanksgiving Menu
Luxurious holiday feast that includes Champagne and Mimosa. From Roasted Prime Rib with all the trimmings to an unmatched selection of shrimp and seafood, to the traditional Tom Turkey.

T-bones Chop House
1pm – 8pm Thanksgiving Menu
Features Herb-Marinated, Slow-Roasted All-Natural Turkey with all the trimmings.

Filed Under: Aliante Station, Boulder Station, Dining, Events, Fiesta Henderson, Fiesta Rancho, Green Valley Ranch, Hotels & Casinos, Palace Station, Red Rock Resort, Santa Fe Station, Sunset Station, Texas Station Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Talking Turkey with Chef Dirk

November 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment
turkee_blog

If you have a lot of guests coming, think about cooking two small birds instead of one large one, says Chef Dirk.

Hi, my name is Dirk Hoffer and I am the Corporate Dining Executive Chef at Station Casinos. I am responsible for providing a healthy meal five days a week for approximately 250 people working at the corporate offices. When cooking for a large group of people, which might be 10 to 20 guests in your home, remember that being prepared is always the key for 20 guests or 200. This means that any dish, casseroles, breads and/or desserts should be prepared the day before if possible. This will make the day of the party less stressful and you will have time to mingle with your guests.

When choosing your holiday turkey, you’ll have to select from a fresh, frozen or the “in between” category. I know, what’s an “in between” category? The USDA ruling on labeling will explain: “Fresh turkeys have to be stored at 26 degrees Fahrenheit or above; frozen turkeys have to be stored at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Hence the “in between” category is turkeys stored between 1 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit. There is no formal name for them; some are labeled “hard chilled” or “not previously frozen.”

The National Turkey Federation says “there is no quality difference between fresh and frozen turkey.” However, freezing any meat has a disruptive effect on cell structure; when meat is frozen the ice crystals that form around the cells can cause cell damage and fluid loss, ultimately resulting in drier meat. Manufacturers make up for this by injecting a liquid “basting” solution of water, oil and seasonings prior to freezing. Such turkeys are often labeled “self basting.”

The flavor of a bird is determined by several additional factors, which may actually be more important than whether your bird is fresh or frozen. Size is the key. Smaller birds tend to be more tender. If you have a lot of guests coming, think about cooking two small birds instead of one large one.

Get the dish on our special Thanksgiving Buffet spread at your favorite Station Casinos location: Texas Station, Boulder Station, Santa Fe Station, Green Valley Ranch, Sunset Station, Palace Station, Red Rock Resort, Aliante Station.

Chef Dirk’s Turkey Tips

  1. The safest method is to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator. Be sure to plan ahead; it takes 3 to 4 days for a 20-pound turkey to thaw.
  2. For a crispier skin, unwrap the turkey the day before roasting and leave it uncovered in the refrigerator overnight.
  3. Cooking times will differ depending on whether your turkey was fresh or frozen. Plan on 20 minutes per pound in a 350-degree oven for a defrosted turkey and 10 to 15 minutes per pound for a fresh turkey.
  4. A turkey will cook more evenly if it is not densely stuffed. Consider adding flavor by loosely filling the cavity with aromatic vegetables, carrots, onions, celery or garlic. You may also consider tucking fresh herbs underneath the breast skin. For stuffing lovers, cook the dressing in a separate casserole dish on the side.
  5.  Before roasting , coat the outside of the turkey with vegetable or olive oil mixed with melted butter. Season with salt and pepper and tightly cover the breast with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. About 45 minutes before you think the bird is done, remove the foil from the breast to allow it to brown.
  6. The turkey is done when the deepest spot between the leg and the breast reads 180 degrees Fahrenheit. If the turkey is stuffed, check the internal temperature as well. It should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  7. Remove the turkey from the oven and “tent” it with foil for at least 15 minutes before you begin carving.

View more of Chef Dirk’s recipes

Filed Under: Dining, Hotels & Casinos, Misc Tagged With: , , , , , , ,