Just Add Bacon? Here Are Some Simple Tricks to Making a Great Thanksgiving Turkey

November 22, 2017

WRITER

How do you cook a turkey without drying it out? Doc and Chef Patrick swapped turkey-roasting tips in time for Thanksgiving on today’s show.

Priceless: Baby boy eats bacon for the first time

Something Doc has always wanted to try is making a bacon-wrapped turkey. In theory, wrapping the bird in bacon can help keep it moist if you do it properly. Chef Patrick explained why “tenting” is the trick to cooking your wrapped turkey while not completely drying out the bacon.

Want more Thanksgiving tips from Chef Patrick? Listen here for a simple, delicious stuffing recipe and more.

This article provided courtesy of TheBlaze.

DOC: This is the Glenn Beck Program. I'm Doc Thompson, in for Glenn today. Because Glenn is parts unknown, enjoying the time off on the holiday. We'll be with you on Friday as well. We're off tomorrow. Friday, we'll be with you. And don't forget, we're giving a free commercial with you. If you have a product, service, business you want to promote, you can't promote somebody else's -- not talking about something you found or discovered that's good. It has to be your business. We'll help you. Call up and give you roughly 60 seconds or so to promote it. If you're promoting a website, which, of course, you should have some sort of place you have -- (?) make sure you're prepared for a lot of people to click on it.

We've done this in the past, people have forgotten about that. And then you don't get the benefit. Be prepared Friday morning, during this broadcast. To call us up. 9:00 to noon Eastern, and we will put you on. If you have a Etsy (?) products or services, consider buying for $10 a domain name that is easy to remember. And then just forwarding that to your Facebook or your Etsy account. Because those get complicated to try to -- it's I sell bacon in favor of veterans plus soap on something with till day underscore. (?) it's a little hard to remember all that. Just do kal's website.com or something like that. And it will be easy to promote. Use the #buildingAmerica. You can start using that now on Twitter. And anybody you hear on the air, we'll tweet out a link in realtime, as they're like, okay. Here's my website. Here's what I do. So you can follow along that way.

And then after the fact, if you forget, oh, I want to find out -- what was that gun website they have? You can look it up later. If you don't get through, same thing. (?) people will begin to search through that as well. It's just something we like to do on Black Friday, promote capitalism, entrepreneurship, and hopefully encourage more and more people that in the coming years, you likely will not have one job that sustains you and your family. Glenn talks about this a lot. There will probably be multiple streams of income, making a little bit here and in respect and you'll just be charged with the task of finding a way.

VOICE: It's a gig economy.

DOC: It's a gig economy. It's a new world. Maybe you farm a little bit to take care of your produce news. You do this part-time job. That part-time job. Whatever. You have a side business. This is going to help you.

One of the hardest things today is to get promoted. One of the first -- one of the most significant things when starting a business is marketing. And yet, it's one of the things that people usually don't spend money on. So you have a great product and service, it's out there. It's ready to go. Nobody knows you're there. And if you're waiting for online, everybody else is doing, you know, social media now as well. So you're inundated. You won't break through. At least when you had a brick and martar (?) there's a new pizza place. Bob's TVs, or whatever it is. You're not seeing that now on the internet. Unless you find a way to break out, right?

VOICE: Absolutely. And that's one of the things I talk about to new businesses all the time. You may have an extremely unique product and a really great target audience, that's giant. That really needs your product. But you spend more on marketing, launching a product, than you do on product development and developing the name and everything. The brand. It's really difficult if you don't know what to do. And, again, we've talked about this before. This is a great format to get exposure, (?) to dial the number.

DOC: Oh. Do you know what it would cost, based on the reach of this broadcast? Millions of people. I mean -- I mean, it's worth it. But for the average person, if you don't have that money, while you're starting a business, if you don't have that capital to invest in -- I mean, it's an investment. It works. It's difficult for you, up front, to put that money out there. This is also a part of content. Where everybody wants that information. They're trying to hear products and services. They're happy to hear your business. So Friday morning. It's 888-727-BECK. Tell your friends and family right now. Dinner tomorrow. Say, listen, cousin Pete, you got that whatever business or whatever. (?) tomorrow morning he's going to give them free cherishes. You dial them up there. You can follow me on Twitter. @DocThompsonshow. I'll be promoting that tomorrow and Friday so you don't forget. Follow Glenn. It's at Glenn Beck. Two N's, by the way.

DOC: You'll give me (?) 60 seconds, Doc?

DOC: Yes, I will. I'll give you (?) business consultant. It's Patrick Mosher. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

PATRICK: Yeah, so I've been in the business about 29 years. The restaurant business.

DOC: Okay. Hold it right there. People don't know how to market. It's not 29. It's about 30. (?)

PATRICK: About 30. (?) is that a question?

DOC: So if it's 29. You say -- about when it's round numbers.

PATRICK: Yeah.

DOC: Like Kal is about 300 pounds. About. Right?

KAL: You know, give or take.

DOC: 100 pounds.

KAL: Forty or 60.

DOC: All right.

PATRICK: Yeah. During my career as a chef, I specialized in opening restaurants. I realized I have a real talent for that. And I went the consulting route about five years ago. Well, ten years officially. But five years full-time. And now I lend my expertise (?) looking to expand or improve their operations. And I try to bring a statistic approach to restaurants, that gives (?) that chains and large operators have in looking at their costs on a daily basis and understanding what they need. And (?)

DOC: Consults for nonfood industry businesses as well. Food industry. Go to foodbizpro.com. Foodbizpro.com. I'll tweet out a link.

All right. Let's talk turkey. Literally. These fads pop up from year to year. Some of them, the deep fried turkeys. And different ways to do turkey or whatever. Some of them work. Some of them are good. Some of them, maybe it's the effort is not really good at it. Turkey is pretty simple to cook. Sorry to let the cat out of the bag. (?) turkeys are pretty basic. Pretty simple to cook, right?

PATRICK: They are. Time, right? Twenty to 30 minutes per pound. Fifteen to 20 minutes per pound. And then a way to keep it moist. That's it.

DOC: And the moist would be either roasting pan. Basting.

PATRICK: Roasting bags.

DOC: You don't to have baste.

PATRICK: You may lose a little skin. (?) if you shake the flour in there, like the directions say, it really produces a moist (?)

DOC: You put the slits. That keeps it inflated. If you're worried about the skin. You can put a couple of toothpicks.

PATRICK: It allows some of the steam to escape. You're actually still roasting it in the bag. That picture -- what's that picture you have --

DOC: Okay. Here it is. One of the recent fads, and I have to ask you about this. Is a bacon-wrapped turkey. It's an intricate. (?) imagine you line up a dozen pieces of bacon one way, then a dozen piece the other way. And you weave it into like a basket pattern. You take that layer of bacon. Put it over the outside of the turkey. Wrapping it around. And roasting it like that. Is this a gimmick? Is this worth the effort? It looks awesome. (?)

VOICE: Do I dare suffer the wrath? The bacon wrath of Twitter.

DOC: Pat. (?)

PATRICK: I do love bacon.

DOC: Listen, you're either with us or against us.

PATRICK: I'm with you.

DOC: That's what I'm saying.

PATRICK: What's that website again? Celebrity apology.

VOICE: Generator.com.

DOC: Yeah. You're either with us or you're against us. There's no borderline with bacon.

PATRICK: It's just too much sometimes. After we we had this discussion last week about bacon and turkey, I actually was watching The Chew the other day. The television show. Which I don't watch very often. But I do like some of the recipes they come up with. And I saw them doing this. And, you know,it a good way to add (?) under the skin or inject it. Or season the heck out of the inside or the outside. I can see how this is a natural flavor enhancer. (?) it's rendering the fat from the breakon. It's not just dripping off. It's attached to the turkey. How can that not be a good thing?

DOC: Yeah, and it completely wraps around the turkey. So you have a natural way to keep the juice in. That works. Would the bacon become too crisp? Because I'll bake bacon sometimes. If I'm going to (?) 45 minutes or whatever it is to bake it up crisp like that, you're talking about a turkey that may be in the oven for three hours.

PATRICK: Yeah. What I would do is start out with it covered. Tent it with foil or the lid. (?) crisping the bacon. Maybe the last 30 to 45 minutes, remove that --

DOC: Will that keep it from crisping the bacon?

PATRICK: Yeah. Because it's keeping the steam inside.

DOC: All right. That was the first question I had. Now, part of the turkey would theoretically become a little bacon-flavored. And there's nothing wrong with that. It won't be enough (?) I would probably try a smoked bacon.

PATRICK: Yeah, I wouldn't use anything sweet like the apple wood smoked. Standard cured. (?) and if you don't like cured bacon because you don't like the sufficientlyitis. You can get uncured bacon. (?) it tastes like regular cured.

DOC: Let me pause and say, I've looked for uncured bacon and stuff. That doesn't have the nitrates. And even some without the sugar. And it is as good or better.

PATRICK: It's really good.

DOC: There's a couple of brands. But the one I know is Peter sons. (?)

PATRICK: Path Patterson or peter son.

DOC: You can probably find it out there. They have a really good product. It will be more expensive than bacon. But it is awesome. And it's going to be pretty healthy for you. You don't have to worry about the nitrates in there.

PATRICK: Yeah. And something about the antibacterial (?) it cures the bacon in almost the same manor. Now, is it really good as the an in-house. (?) it's a close second.

DOC: I love it. So if you use the smoked bacon and you wrap the bacon that way, that will work. As long as the (?) you still will be able to slice this off. Or you can have the turkey or bacon together. So that will work. What other potential problems? If you're taking the drippings at the bottom of the pan, you'll have a pretty strong bacon-flavored gravy.

PATRICK: Yeah. You may (?)

DOC: It could work.

PATRICK: It would work.

DOC: Just as long as you're okay with a strong bacon-flavored gravy.

PATRICK: And turkey gives off half a gallon or more of liquid when you're baking it. So there's a lot of liquid. The ratio of fat to -- if you skim the fat off like you spoke about in the morning show, you could skim the fat off. (?) from the actual juices. From the turkey. There's not a lot of liquid that comes out of the -- (?) it's just fat.

DOC: All right. Patrick, I've talked myself in. I've talked myself in. I may do a second (?) to try it, to test it out. I think I'm going to try it.

PATRICK: Grab a chicken.

DOC: Yeah, it would be cool with the turkey.

PATRICK: 12-pounder.

DOC: And we like the (?) do you think I weave it flat on the counter and then lift it up -- (?)

PATRICK: I would just do it on the counter. Drape it over the top. Tuck it under, so it's tight underneath. Then cut a hole where the cavity would be where you can put your onion --

DOC: Do you think (?) I think I'm avoiding the stuffing.

PATRICK: Not with traditional stuffing. Because you're not supposed to do that anyway. Because the internal of the bird. (?) the interior never reaches 165. Which is what kills the salmonella. But I would stuff it with celery. (?)

DOC: I like the idea of the bird cooking much faster. You have to cook it longer. (?) the bacon wouldn't crisp up as much. Let me get a quick break in. Doc Thompson in for Glenn Beck.

DOC: Lots of -- lots of tweets coming in @DocThompsonshow. I've tweeted out a couple of things. I've tweeted out a picture to the bacon-wrapped turkey. You can see that for yourself. It's @DocThompsonshow. And I think Patrick @foodbizpro just tweeted out a link to Petersen's bacon.

PATRICK: Yeah. It's sugar-free. (?)

DOC: Seventy-five dollars for color books! Do you know how much whisky you could buy with that?

VOICE: I know how many of a lot of things I can buy with that. (?)

DOC: Seventy-five dollars for coloring to help you relax, because you just gave me a stroke. (?)

KAL: And hemorrhoids.

DOC: Oh, my gosh. Jim just tweeted something that is either one of the funniest (?) you'll likely get a divorce. He suggested you wrap up those unused color books, give it to her as prevents.

(laughter)

KAL: I don't think that will be a very good idea.

(laughter)

DOC: I think you should do it. And film her opening it up. You to do that.

Let's see here. Just tuned in to at Glenn Beck show. I swear I was listening (?) cooking my turkey, sorry. Yes, but you say that like it's a bad thing. It's not a butterball hotline. We don't just say butterballs. You know. Let's see, Wesley tweeting, turkey in a bag, 220 (?) no carving required.

22 hours. That seems long. 220 degrees. Is that a joke? I don't know.

JEFFY: 200 tent is smoking temperature (?)

DOC: All right. Have yourself a happy Thanksgiving. My best wishes to you and your family. I hope you will take a moment and count your blessings. I think that's the key to the future. And make sure to make your plans now to join us Friday morning on the morning Blaze.

Shocking Christian massacres unveiled

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Is a Christian Genocide unfolding overseas?

Recent reports suggest an alarming escalation in violence against Christians, raising questions about whether these acts constitute genocide under international law. Recently, Glenn hosted former U.S. Army Special Forces Sniper Tim Kennedy, who discussed a predictive model that forecasts a surge in global Christian persecution for the summer of 2025.

From Africa to Asia and the Middle East, extreme actions—some described as genocidal—have intensified over the past year. Over 380 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution, a number that continues to climb. With rising international concern, the United Nations and human rights groups are urging protective measures by the global community. Is a Christian genocide being waged in the far corners of the globe? Where are they taking place, and what is being done?

India: Hindu Extremist Violence Escalates

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In India, attacks on Christians have surged as Hindu extremist groups gain influence within the country. In February 2025, Hindu nationalist leader Aadesh Soni organized a 50,000-person rally in Chhattisgarh, where he called for the rape and murder of all Christians in nearby villages and demanded the execution of Christian leaders to erase Christianity. Other incidents include forced conversions, such as a June 2024 attack in Chhattisgarh, where a Hindu mob gave Christian families a 10-day ultimatum to convert to Hinduism. In December 2024, a Christian man in Uttar Pradesh was attacked, forcibly converted, and paraded while the mob chanted "Death to Jesus."

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommends designating India a "Country of Particular Concern" and imposing targeted sanctions on those perpetrating these attacks. The international community is increasingly alarmed by the rising tide of religious violence in India.

Syria: Sectarian Violence Post-Regime Change

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Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has seen a wave of sectarian violence targeting religious minorities, including Christians, with over 1,000 killed in early 2025. It remains unclear whether Christians are deliberately targeted or caught in broader conflicts, but many fear persecution by the new regime or extremist groups. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a dominant rebel group and known al-Qaeda splinter group now in power, is known for anti-Christian sentiments, heightening fears of increased persecution.

Christians, especially converts from Islam, face severe risks in the unstable post-regime environment. The international community is calling for humanitarian aid and protection for Syria’s vulnerable minority communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo: A "Silent Genocide"

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In February 2025, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated group, beheaded 70 Christians—men, women, and children—in a Protestant church in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, after tying their hands. This horrific massacre, described as a "silent genocide" reminiscent of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has shocked the global community.

Since 1996, the ADF and other militias have killed over six million people, with Christians frequently targeted. A Christmas 2024 attack killed 46, further decimating churches in the region. With violence escalating, humanitarian organizations are urging immediate international intervention to address the crisis.

POLL: Starbase exposed: Musk’s vision or corporate takeover?

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Is Starbase the future of innovation or a step too far?

Elon Musk’s ambitious Starbase project in South Texas is reshaping Boca Chica into a cutting-edge hub for SpaceX’s Starship program, promising thousands of jobs and a leap toward Mars colonization. Supporters see Musk as a visionary, driving economic growth and innovation in a historically underserved region. However, local critics, including Brownsville residents and activists, argue that SpaceX’s presence raises rents, restricts beach access, and threatens environmental harm, with Starbase’s potential incorporation as a city sparking fears of unchecked corporate control. As pro-Musk advocates clash with anti-Musk skeptics, will Starbase unite the community or deepen the divide?

Let us know what you think in the poll below:

Is Starbase’s development a big win for South Texas?

Should Starbase become its own city?

Is Elon Musk’s vision more of a benefit than a burden for the region?

Shocking truth behind Trump-Zelenskyy mineral deal unveiled

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President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have finalized a landmark agreement that will shape the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations. The agreement focuses on mineral access and war recovery.

After a tense March meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy signed a deal on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, granting the U.S. preferential mineral rights in Ukraine in exchange for continued military support. Glenn analyzed an earlier version of the agreement in March, when Zelenskyy rejected it, highlighting its potential benefits for America, Ukraine, and Europe. Glenn praised the deal’s strategic alignment with U.S. interests, including reducing reliance on China for critical minerals and fostering regional peace.

However, the agreement signed this week differs from the March proposal Glenn praised. Negotiations led to significant revisions, reflecting compromises on both sides. What changes were made? What did each leader seek, and what did they achieve? How will this deal impact the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and global geopolitics? Below, we break down the key aspects of the agreement.

What did Trump want?

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Trump aimed to curb what many perceive as Ukraine’s overreliance on U.S. aid while securing strategic advantages for America. His primary goals included obtaining reimbursement for the billions in military aid provided to Ukraine, gaining exclusive access to Ukraine’s valuable minerals (such as titanium, uranium, and lithium), and reducing Western dependence on China for critical resources. These minerals are essential for aerospace, energy, and technology sectors, and Trump saw their acquisition as a way to bolster U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Additionally, he sought to advance peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, positioning the U.S. as a key mediator.

Ultimately, Trump secured preferential—but not exclusive—rights to extract Ukraine’s minerals through the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, as outlined in the agreement. The U.S. will not receive reimbursement for past aid, but future military contributions will count toward the joint fund, designed to support Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace negotiations under U.S. leadership aligns with Trump’s goal of resolving the conflict, giving him leverage in discussions with Russia.

These outcomes partially meet Trump’s objectives. The preferential mineral rights strengthen U.S. access to critical resources, but the lack of exclusivity and reimbursement limits the deal’s financial benefits. The peace commitment, however, positions Trump as a central figure in shaping the war’s resolution, potentially enhancing his diplomatic influence.

What did Zelenskyy want?

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Zelenskyy sought to sustain U.S. military and economic support without the burden of repaying past aid, which has been critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He also prioritized reconstruction funds to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn economy and infrastructure. Security guarantees from the U.S. to deter future Russian aggression were a key demand, though controversial, as they risked entangling America in long-term commitments. Additionally, Zelenskyy aimed to retain control over Ukraine’s mineral wealth to safeguard national sovereignty and align with the country’s European Union membership aspirations.

The final deal delivered several of Zelenskyy’s priorities. The reconstruction fund, supported by future U.S. aid, provides a financial lifeline for Ukraine’s recovery without requiring repayment of past assistance. Ukraine retained ownership of its subsoil and decision-making authority over mineral extraction, granting only preferential access to the U.S. However, Zelenskyy conceded on security guarantees, a significant compromise, and agreed to pursue peace talks under Trump’s leadership, which may involve territorial or political concessions to Russia.

Zelenskyy’s outcomes reflect a delicate balance. The reconstruction fund and retained mineral control bolster Ukraine’s economic and sovereign interests, but the absence of security guarantees and pressure to negotiate peace could strain domestic support and challenge Ukraine’s long-term stability.

What does this mean for the future?

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While Trump didn’t secure all his demands, the deal advances several of his broader strategic goals. By gaining access to Ukraine’s mineral riches, the U.S. undermines China’s dominance over critical elements like lithium and graphite, essential for technology and energy industries. This shift reduces American and European dependence on Chinese supply chains, strengthening Western industrial and tech sectors. Most significantly, the agreement marks a pivotal step toward peace in Europe. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has claimed thousands of lives, is a top priority for Trump, and Zelenskyy’s commitment to U.S.-led peace talks enhances Trump’s leverage in negotiations with Russia. Notably, the deal avoids binding U.S. commitments to Ukraine’s long-term defense, preserving flexibility for future administrations.

The deal’s broader implications align with the vision Glenn outlined in March, when he praised its potential to benefit America, Ukraine, and Europe by securing resources and creating peace. While the final agreement differs from Glenn's hopes, it still achieves key goals he outlined.

Did Trump's '51st state' jab just cost Canada its independence?

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Did Canadians just vote in their doom?

On April 28, 2025, Canada held its federal election, and what began as a promising conservative revival ended in a Liberal Party regroup, fueled by an anti-Trump narrative. This outcome is troubling for Canada, as Glenn revealed when he exposed the globalist tendencies of the new Prime Minister, Mark Carney. On a recent episode of his podcast, Glenn hosted former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, who provided insight into Carney’s history. She revealed that, as governor of the Bank of England, Carney contributed to the 2022 pension crisis through policies that triggered excessive money printing, leading to rampant inflation.

Carney’s election and the Liberal Party’s fourth consecutive victory spell trouble for a Canada already straining under globalist policies. Many believed Canadians were fed up with the progressive agenda when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned amid plummeting public approval. Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party leader, started 2025 with a 25-point lead over his Liberal rivals, fueling optimism about his inevitable victory.

So, what went wrong? How did Poilievre go from predicted Prime Minister to losing his own parliamentary seat? And what details of this election could cost Canada dearly?

A Costly Election

Mark Carney (left) and Pierre Poilievre (right)

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The election defied the expectations of many analysts who anticipated a Conservative win earlier this year.

For Americans unfamiliar with parliamentary systems, here’s a brief overview of Canada’s federal election process. Unlike U.S. presidential elections, Canadians do not directly vote for their Prime Minister. Instead, they vote for a political party. Each Canadian resides in a "riding," similar to a U.S. congressional district, and during the election, each riding elects a Member of Parliament (MP). The party that secures the majority of MPs forms the government and appoints its leader as Prime Minister.

At the time of writing, the Liberal Party has secured 169 of the 172 seats needed for a majority, all but ensuring their victory. In contrast, the Conservative Party holds 144 seats, indicating that the Liberal Party will win by a solid margin, which will make passing legislation easier. This outcome is a far cry from the landslide Conservative victory many had anticipated.

Poilievre's Downfall

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What caused Poilievre’s dramatic fall from front-runner to losing his parliamentary seat?

Despite his surge in popularity earlier this year, which coincided with enthusiasm surrounding Trump’s inauguration, many attribute the Conservative loss to Trump’s influence. Commentators argue that Trump’s repeated references to Canada as the "51st state" gave Liberals a rallying cry: Canadian sovereignty. The Liberal Party framed a vote for Poilievre as a vote to surrender Canada to U.S. influence, positioning Carney as the defender of national independence.

Others argue that Poilievre’s lackluster campaign was to blame. Critics suggest he should have embraced a Trump-style, Canada-first message, emphasizing a balanced relationship with the U.S. rather than distancing himself from Trump’s annexation remarks. By failing to counter the Liberal narrative effectively, Poilievre lost momentum and voter confidence.

This election marks a pivotal moment for Canada, with far-reaching implications for its sovereignty and economic stability. As Glenn has warned, Carney’s globalist leanings could align Canada more closely with international agendas, potentially at the expense of its national interests. Canadians now face the challenge of navigating this new political landscape under a leader with a controversial track record.

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