0 from 276 votes
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
If you're looking for a fail-proof turkey roasting method, try this Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe for a perfectly cooked bird with no fuss!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 646 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 15 pound whole turkey neck and giblets removed
- 1 onion quartered
- 3 celery stalk coarsely chopped
- 1 carrot coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 fresh Rosemary
- ¼ cup fresh sage leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325ºF. Remove the thawed turkey from the fridge 1 hour before roasting and allow it to come to room temperature. Remove the neck and giblets from inside the cavity of the turkey and set aside.
- Place the turkey, breast side up in the roasting pan. Pat the outside and inside of the turkey dry with paper towels. Then stuff the onion, celery, and carrot inside the turkey cavity.
- Fold wing tips under the bird. Tie the legs together with twine or dental floss.
- Season the inside and outside of the turkey generously with the salt and pepper.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Then add the herbs and cook 1-2 minutes. Remove the herbs with a tong from the melted butter and place inside the turkey.
- Use a brush to rub the reserved melted butter all over the turkey, making sure to get the sides. Use your hands to rub some butter underneath the skin as well.
- Roast the turkey in the preheated oven uncovered for 15 minutes per pound, or about 3 hours for a 12 pound turkey. A thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should read 165ºF-170ºF. Remove the turkey from the oven and allow it to rest 15-20 minutes before carving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last about 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Make Ahead Tips: There's really nothing I'd recommend making ahead of time for this easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe except for making sure to thaw it in advance. The herbed butter only takes one minute and is best made when making the turkey.
Nutrition Information
Calories
646kcal
(32%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
93g
(186%)
Fat
28g
(43%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
6g
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
319mg
(106%)
Sodium
1682mg
(70%)
Potassium
1003mg
(29%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
1214IU
(24%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
57mg
(6%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 646
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 646kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 93g | 186% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 319mg | 106% |
| Sodium | 1682mg | 70% |
| Potassium | 1003mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 1214IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 57mg | 6% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.