Roast Turkey Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Total Time
3 hrs 20 mins
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Servings
12
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Calories
221 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Roast Turkey Recipe
Description
The recipe starts by seasoning the turkey with olive oil, salt, and pepper before placing it on a roasting rack with a bed of apples and vegetables, with some stuffed inside for flavor infusion. The turkey is roasted uncovered initially at a high temperature to brown the skin, then covered and cooked at a lower temperature until fully cooked. The honey-based glaze containing butter and a mixture of dried herbs is whisked together and brushed onto the turkey before it returns to the oven for a final browning. After roasting, the turkey rests to allow juices to redistribute. The result is a moist, flavorful turkey with a balanced savory and sweet glaze.
This turkey is suitable for serving at a larger meal or holiday feast, accommodating roughly ten servings based on bird size recommendations. The inclusion of apples and root vegetables alongside the turkey adds natural sweetness and depth to the roasting pan drippings.
Planning ahead is important for thawing the bird safely, with timing guidelines given depending on the turkey’s weight. Additionally, choosing the right turkey size per number of guests helps ensure adequate portions.
Ingredients
Turkey
- 1 (14-16 pound) turkey thawed if frozen
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 apple cored and sliced, Granny Smith variety
- 2-3 carrot cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 onion cut into 1-inch pieces
- 5-6 talks celery cut into 1-inch pieces
Glaze
- 1 cup honey
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoons sage leaf dried
- 1 teaspoon thyme ground
- 1 teaspoon parsley dried
- 1 teaspoon basil dried
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Set an elevated rack into the bottom of a roasting pan.
- Make the turkey: Brush olive oil all over turkey and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place about two-thirds of the vegetables and apples on the rack in the prepared roasting pan.
- Place turkey on the rack and stuff remaining third of the vegetables and apples inside the turkey. If turkey’s legs are not already tied together, tie them with kitchen twine.
- Roast turkey uncovered in the oven for 30 minutes, then cover loosely with aluminium foil and reduce the heat to 375 degrees F. Roast for another 2-2 ½ hours, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees F.
- Make the glaze: Whisk together all glaze ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Brush glaze over turkey and return it to the oven, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, until golden. Remove from the oven, discard the vegetables, and let turkey rest for 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Plan on 1 to 1½ pounds of turkey per person to determine the best turkey size for your group.
- Allow sufficient thawing time in the refrigerator: approximately one day per 4 pounds of turkey weight.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 221 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1pound | |
| Calories | 221kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 411mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 146mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 27g | 54% |
| Vitamin A | 2033IU | 41% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 23mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.5mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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