Juicy Roast Turkey

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Say goodbye to dry, flavorless turkey! This recipe delivers a showstopper: a perfectly roasted turkey with crispy golden skin and tender, juicy meat that melts in your mouth.

We’ll guide you through every step, from selecting the perfect turkey to achieving that Instagram-worthy crispy skin and succulent meat. Whether it’s your first time hosting or you’re a seasoned pro, our tried-and-true method guarantees a centerpiece that will have your guests reaching for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✓ Foolproof Method: No more guesswork! Our step-by-step instructions have helped thousands of home cooks create the perfect roast turkey.

✓ Make-Ahead Options: We’ll show you exactly what can be prepped in advance so you can spend more time with family on the big day.

✓ Simple Ingredients: No fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients are required—just honest, straightforward cooking techniques that deliver amazing results.

✓ Crispy Skin Guaranteed: Our secret timing and temperature tips ensure perfectly browned, crispy skin every time.

✓ No Dry Meat: Our proven brining technique and cooking method lock in moisture, giving you juicy meat from breast to drumstick.

✓ Perfect for Leftovers: This cooking method ensures your turkey stays moist even when reheated – perfect for sandwiches and soups the next day.

What You’ll Need to Cook Turkey in the Oven

• Turkey (thawed)
• Salt
• Dried thyme (or other fresh herb of choice)
• Paprika
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Black pepper
• Unsalted butter (room temperature)
• Garlic (minced)
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
• Fresh thyme (finely chopped)
• Onion (peeled and quartered)
• Celery (roughly chopped)
• Carrots (roughly chopped)
• Unsalted melted butter
• Sage, rosemary, and thyme (finely chopped)
• Garlic cloves (minced)
• Garlic heads (halved horizontally)
• Onion (halved)
• Dry white wine or water
• Salt and pepper

How to Make Oven Baked Turkey

Step 1: Dry Brine the Turkey

• Pat the turkey dry with a paper towel and rub the dry brine mixture all over the turkey, inside and out.
• Wrap the turkey with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 24-48 hours.

Step 2: Prepare Veggies

• Preheat oven to 425°F (standard) or 390°F (fan).
• Place vegetables in a roasting pan and place a roasting rack on top.

Step 3: Prepare the Turkey

• Stuff the turkey cavity with herbs, garlic, and butter.
• Tie drumsticks together.
• Place the turkey upside down on the rack and brush with butter.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Allow the turkey to come to room temperature.

Step 4: Roast

• Pour wine into the roasting pan.
• Roast for 30 minutes, then turn the turkey over and brush with butter.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (standard) or 300°F (fan).
• Roast turkey for another 45 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°F. Check between the legs and breast. Use a meat thermometer for best results.
• Cover loosely with foil if browning too much.

Step 5: Rest and Carve

• Remove the turkey, cover it with foil, and let it rest for 30 minutes before carving.

What Temperature to Cook Turkey at

In this recipe, we’ll cook the turkey at 425°F and then reduce the temperature to 325°F.

The high temperature will help it cook quickly before it dries out. This method should also produce a fairly crispy skin.

What Internal Temperature You Need to Reach For Oven-Baked Turkey

The white meat of the turkey should reach at least 160°F. If the internal temperature gets much higher than that, then it will dry out.

Some people like the dark meat to get a little bit hotter. However, this is a personal preference. Also, the dark meat usually gets warmer before the white meat reaches the temperature. This is because the breast meat is in the thickest part of the bird.

How Long to Cook Turkey

The general guideline for a turkey roasted at 325°F (standard) or 300°F (fan) after the initial high-temperature phase is about 15-20 minutes per pound. Here’s a more specific breakdown based on the size of the turkey:

• 8-12 pounds: About 2 to 3 hours
• 12-14 pounds: About 3 to 3.5 hours
• 14-18 pounds: About 3.5 to 4 hours
• 18-20 pounds: About 4 to 4.5 hours
• 20-24 pounds: About 4.5 to 5 hours

Since we start with a 30-minute roast at a higher temperature (425°F or 390°F fan), you can reduce the total time by 15-30 minutes. Always rely on a meat thermometer to confirm that the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part for safe eating.

How To Store Leftovers and Reheat

Leftover turkey can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Alternatively, it can be frozen in the appropriate bag for longer.

Reheat leftovers using your preferred method. If you reheat the turkey in the oven or microwave, it may be helpful to add a container of water to moisten the meat.

What To Serve With Roasted Turkey

There are a variety of side dishes that complement this dish. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
• Leftover Mashed Potato Cakes
• Easy Baked Sweet Potato

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Smoke On!

Charlie

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