A classic preparation, made simple! If you're looking for an easy way to prepare perfectly juicy roast turkey, this is it!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Holiday
Keyword roast turkey, turkey, whole turkey
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 3 hourshours30 minutesminutes
Resting Time 45 minutesminutes
Total Time 4 hourshours35 minutesminutes
Servings 14
Calories 423kcal
Author Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Cost $20
Ingredients
10lbTurkey
1/2cupbutterroom temperature
3Tablespoonsolive oiloptional
3Tablespoonspoultry seasoning
2Lemons
Small bunch rosemaryoptional
Small bunch thymeoptional
2yellow onionssmall, quartered
2heads Garlic
2cupsWater
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Remove any giblets from the turkey.
Carefully slide a large spoon between the skin and the breast of the turkey. Rub about 1/4 cup of butter in this space beneath the turkey skin, directly on the breast meat. Rub remaining butter all over the turkey.
Place half of a lemon, rosemary, and thyme inside the turkey cavity. Use kitchen string to tie the turkey legs together. You can also make a small cut in the turkey skin and push the legs through to hold them together.
Sprinkle the turkey liberally with poultry seasoning.
Add to your roasting pan: water, quartered onions, lemon wedges, and garlic cloves (peeled and crushed).
Place turkey in roasting pan.
Bake for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Keep covered for the first 2 hours. After removing the lid, baste turkey with its own juices every 20-30 minutes. If needed, baste spots that are not browning with olive oil.
Cook until turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Remove from oven and let turkey rest for at least 45 minutes before carving.
Notes
Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate only; actual values will vary based on the exact ingredients used and amount of recipe prepared.
If turkey is not browning enough, broil for the last 5 minutes of cooking time to crisp the skin.
If turkey is browning too quickly, reduce oven temp to 300 or 325 and put the cover back on.