Kitchen
In: Kitchen
- 5 Minute Read
- By Amy Lu
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This is the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe, including my top four tips for ensuring the juiciest herb roasted turkey. Using only a handful of the freshest ingredients, enjoy this simple and tasty roasted turkey. Plus, you can plan your whole meal in one place with the five side suggestions and recipes listed below.
Ingredients
1 fresh or thawed turkey (12 to 14 lbs.), giblets and neck removed
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon pepper
2 tablespoons rosemary (minced)
2 tablespoons thyme (minced)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 onion (chopped in 8 pieces)
1 lemon (chopped in 8 pieces)
1 orange (chopped in 8 pieces)
Directions
Set the turkey and butter out at room temperature 30-60 minutes before cooking.
Next, remove the giblets and neck from the turkey and rinse with water. In a large bowl, rub the turkey with kosher salt and pepper. Tie the turkey legs together and tie the wings behind the body to prevent them from burning. Then, transfer the turkey to the roasting pan.
Prepare the turkey rub by mixing the fresh rosemary, thyme, lemon zest and room temperature butter together with a fork.
Next, fill the inside of the turkey with the chopped onion, lemon, orange. Flip the turkey breast side up.
Spread the butter and herb mixture over the entire turkey and under the skin too.
Place any remaining lemon, orange, and onion around the turkey and fill the roasting pan with 4 cups of water.
Place the turkey in the oven uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Baste the turkey with the liquid from the roasting pan. If any liquid in the pan evaporates add water a cup at a time to the pan. Cover the turkey with the roasting pan lid or aluminum foil. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with the juices. Continue cooking until the thermometer inserted reads 165 degrees. I like to check the turkey in several places including near the breast (not touching the bone) and the thigh to ensure all of the meat is at 165 degrees. This typically takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Once finished cooking, remove the turkey to a platter or cutting board to rest. Allow turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving. Serves about 10 people.
Carve and enjoy the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe.
Top Tips for the Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
- Use fresh ingredients
- Allow turkey to come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before cooking
- Set a timer for every 30 minutes to baste turkey and keep the pan 1/4 full of liquid
- Plan for 30 minutes of rest time to ensure the juiciest turkey
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The Best Turkey Recipe
The Best Turkey Recipe For Thanksgiving
Author Amy Lu
Ingredients
- 1 fresh or thawed turkey 12 to 14 lbs., giblets and neck removed
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons rosemary minced
- 2 tablespoons thyme minced
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 onion chopped in 8 pieces
- 1 lemon chopped in 8 pieces
- 1 orange chopped in 8 pieces
Instructions
Set the turkey and butter out at room temperature 30-60 minutes before cooking.
Next, remove the giblets and neck from the turkey and rinse with water. In a large bowl, rub the turkey with kosher salt and pepper. Tie the turkey legs together and tie the wings behind the body to prevent them from burning. Then, transfer the turkey to the roasting pan.
Prepare the turkey rub by mixing the fresh rosemary, thyme, lemon zest and room temperature butter together with a fork.
Next, fill the inside of the turkey with the chopped onion, lemon, orange. Flip the turkey breast side up.
Spread the butter and herb mixture over the entire turkey and under the skin too.
Place any remaining lemon, orange, and onion around the turkey and fill the roasting pan with 4 cups of water.
Place the turkey in the oven uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Baste the turkey with the liquid from the roasting pan. If any liquid in the pan evaporates add water a cup at a time to the pan. Cover the turkey with the roasting pan lid or aluminum foil. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with the juices. Continue cooking until the thermometer inserted reads 165 degrees. I like to check the turkey in several places including near the breast (not touching the bone) and the thigh to ensure all of the meat is at 165 degrees. This typically takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Once finished cooking, remove the turkey to a platter or cutting board to rest. Allow turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving. Serves about 10 people.
Carve and enjoy the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe.
Notes
• Use fresh ingredients
• Allow turkey to come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before cooking
• Set a timer for every 30 minutes to baste turkey and keep the pan 1/4 full of liquid
• Plan for 30 minutes of rest time to ensure the juiciest turkey
Side Suggestions
Green beans:https://herviewfromhome.com/recipe-box/?recipe_id=6068038
Corn bake:https://herviewfromhome.com/recipe-box/?recipe_id=6068039
Carrots & Squash:https://herviewfromhome.com/recipe-box/?recipe_id=6066482
Brusselssprouts with bacon:https://herviewfromhome.com/recipe-box/?recipe_id=6066487
Acorn squash:https://herviewfromhome.com/recipe-box/?recipe_id=6066494
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Articles by Amy Lu
Amy Lu
I am a Midwest mama from Michigan who enjoys sharing parenting and pregnancy resources with parents of young children on the blog, http://www.makingmotherhoodmatter.com/. If you enjoy free parenting resources, delicious recipes, and discovering what you really need for newborns, then grab a cup of coffee and come hang out at Making Motherhood Matter. I would love to connect with you on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or the Positive Parenting Tools Community.
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