How to Roast a Turkey

User Reviews

4.4

273 reviews
Good
  • Prep Time

    30 mins

  • Cook Time

    3 hrs 30 mins

  • Total Time

    4 hrs

  • Servings

    8

  • Calories

    754 kcal

  • Cuisine

    American

How to Roast a Turkey

How to Roast a Turkey - learn easy techniques to perfectly roast a turkey. Step by step instructions from start to finish.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 10 pound turkey
  • ½ cup butter unsalted
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves chopped
  • 2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon pepper or to taste
  • 8 prigs thyme fresh
  • 1 onion quartered
  • 10 cloves garlic peeled
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Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. In a small saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Add the lemon zest and juice and the teaspoon of thyme to the butter and stir. Set aside.
  3. Remove the giblets from inside the turkey cavity. I also usually trim some of the excess fat around the neck of the turkey. Pat the skin dry with paper towels, this promotes browning and crisping.
  4. First, you'll need to place the onions, celery and carrots in the bottom of a roasting rack, then place the rack on top. Place the turkey on top of the roasting rack. Tuck the wing tips under the body of the turkey, this will help stabilize the turkey when carving, plus it makes it easier to carve the breast. Tie the legs together with butcher twine.
  5. Brush the turkey with the herb butter mixture all over and generously season with salt and pepper.
  6. Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and transfer the roasting pan to the preheated oven. Cook covered for 2 hours.
  7. Remove the aluminum foil and transfer the turkey back to the oven. Roast for an additional 1½ hours. Use a meat thermometer to know when the turkey is done. When the thermometer is inserted in the breast it should read 165°F, and 180°F in the thigh.
  8. Remove the turkey from the roasting pan to a cutting board and cover with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 20 minutes before carving and serving.

Notes

  • For this recipe, the turkey needs to be thawed. Read the section above for notes on how to cook a frozen turkey.
  • Cooking times for roasting a turkey:
  • ½
  • ½
  • ½
  • ½
  • Internal temperature: To truly test doneness of the meat, use an instant meat thermometer. Do not go by the color of the skin. The turkey is done when the thigh meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Make sure the thermometer is not touching the bone.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1serving Calories 754kcal (38%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 129g (258%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 410mg (137%) Sodium 1254mg (52%) Potassium 1401mg (40%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 589IU (12%) Vitamin C 11mg (12%) Calcium 86mg (9%) Iron 5mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 754 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 754kcal 38%
Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Protein 129g 258%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 410mg 137%
Sodium 1254mg 52%
Potassium 1401mg 30%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 589IU 12%
Vitamin C 11mg 12%
Calcium 86mg 9%
Iron 5mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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