Every year, as Thanksgiving approaches, traditions dictate images of cozy family gatherings and time-honored recipes passed down through generations. But this year, the culinary canon has received an unexpected addition: The Thanksgiving Turkey Formula by Elon Musk himself.

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, known for his audacious claims about conquering space and accelerating AI, sent the internet into a frenzy when he unexpectedly published a detailed guide for roasting the holiday bird, which he dubbed the “Optimized Formula.”

Where Does the “Science” Lie in a Roasted Turkey?

Elon Musk is not traditionally a chef. Therefore, his recipe is not based on intuition or decades of practice, but rather on principles of physics and engineering. He begins by stressing the critical importance of maintaining thermal uniformity and an optimal flavor penetration rate.

Instead of traditional softened butter, Musk encourages the use of a liquefied butter mixture injected directly into the deepest muscle fibers of the turkey using a large syringe (akin to laboratory equipment). He explains that this method ensures “every cubic micrometer” of the turkey meat receives the necessary fat and flavor, preventing the common issue of “dry on the inside, charred on the outside.”

The seasoning, too, is “optimized.” Instead of using haphazard herbal blends, Musk mandates a precisely measured compound: 2% Celtic sea salt, 1% freshly ground black pepper, and 0.5% concentrated garlic powder, all calculated by the turkey’s mass ratio.

The Secret to “Rocket-Grade” Temperature

The most crucial component of Musk’s formula is the roasting temperature. While conventional recipes call for a steady temperature around 325°F (about 160°C) for several hours, Musk proposes a rigorous two-stage roasting method.

Stage 1 (Acceleration): Begin roasting at a high velocity of 450°F (232°C) for 30 minutes to achieve the perfect skin crispness (the Maillard Reaction).
Stage 2 (Landing): Reduce the temperature to 300°F (150°C) and maintain it until the turkey’s core temperature reaches precisely 165°F (74°C). Musk warns: “Any deviation above 1 degree Celsius will result in an imbalance between moisture and protein structure.”

After roasting, the turkey must be allowed to rest for 45 minutes under an insulated foil blanket, ensuring internal fluids redistribute evenly—much like “pressurizing the crew cabin before launch.”

This “scientific” formula quickly became a viral topic on X (Twitter). Fans were amused by Musk’s rigorous, engineering-based approach to a traditional meal. Many who attempted the recipe were genuinely surprised by the result: an exceptionally moist turkey with a perfectly crispy skin.

Perhaps this Thanksgiving is not just about being thankful for what we have, but also for Elon Musk bringing high-level engineering principles from the lab right into our kitchens. Happy Thanksgiving, and don’t forget your thermometer!