Description
This Easy Thanksgiving Turkey recipe offers a foolproof way to roast a juicy, flavorful turkey perfect for your holiday feast. Seasoned simply with fresh herbs, lemon, onion, and your choice of olive oil or butter, this recipe ensures a moist turkey by roasting it at a steady 325°F until perfectly cooked.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Aromatics
- 12 to 18-pound turkey (fully thawed)
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1-2 sprigs fresh thyme
Seasoning
- Olive oil, butter, or preferred seasoning rub (amount to coat turkey)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Turkey: Remove the turkey giblets and pat the entire turkey dry, inside and out, with paper towels. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) to ensure it is ready for roasting.
- Stuff the Turkey: Place the quartered onion, lemon, rosemary, and thyme into the turkey’s cavity to infuse the meat with aromatic flavors throughout roasting.
- Position on Roasting Rack: Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan. Tuck the wings underneath the bird and tie the legs together securely with kitchen twine to promote even cooking.
- Season the Turkey: Rub the outside of the turkey generously with olive oil, butter, or your preferred seasoning rub. Then sprinkle salt and pepper over the entire surface to enhance flavor and help crisp the skin.
- Roast the Turkey: Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast without touching the bone. Roast the turkey at 325°F, estimating approximately 15 minutes of cooking time per pound.
- Check Temperature: Monitor the internal temperature regularly; the turkey is properly cooked when the breast reaches 165°F and the thigh reaches 175°F.
- Rest the Turkey: Once done, remove the turkey from the oven and loosely cover it with foil. Let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a tender, juicy bird.
Notes
- For larger turkeys over 18 pounds, increase cooking time accordingly, maintaining the 15 minutes per pound guideline.
- Using a roasting rack helps air circulate around the turkey for even cooking and crispy skin.
- Resting the turkey is crucial to retain moisture and flavor when carving.
- You can customize the seasoning rub with herbs and spices of your choice for different flavor profiles.
- Keep the thermometer probe inserted during roasting to monitor temperature without opening the oven frequently.
