4.4 from 273 votes
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.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs 30 mins
Total Time
4 hrs
Servings: 8
Calories: 754 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Brush the turkey with the herb butter mixture all over and generously season with salt and pepper.
- Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and transfer the roasting pan to the preheated oven. Cook covered for 2 hours.
- 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.
- 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.
Cup of Yum
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
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
% 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.