The ULTIMATE Thanksgiving Turkey recipe that delivers all the rich flavor and tenderness you crave, without the stress! This roasted turkey recipe is not only foolproof and simple to prepare, but it will be the star of your Thanksgiving feast!
It’s gorgeous, impressive, and it’s the star of the entire Thanksgiving meal. And the best part? It’s actually really simple to prepare. Trust me, you’ve got this! I mean the turkey!
The key to roasting the perfect Thanksgiving turkey is planning: First, figure out how much turkey you'll need to feed your guests. Next, make sure to brine the turkey the day before the feast. Finally, set an alarm early enough on Thanksgiving morning to get the bird in the oven for a timely noontime meal.
There have been many times when I hit the snooze button one too many times, and we ended up eating much later than planned. Don’t make the same mistake, learn from my experience! If you're someone who likes to sleep in, consider preparing some Thanksgiving appetizers to keep everyone satisfied. By the time they taste that juicy turkey, they won’t even care if it’s late in the afternoon.
Jump to:
- How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
- How to keep turkey juicy and prevent it from drying out?
- What’s the best way to season a turkey?
- Do you roast a turkey stuffed or unstuffed?
- While roasting, do you cover a whole turkey?
- When Cooking a Turkey, do you add water to the bottom of the roasting pan?
- How long can you keep leftover cooked Turkey?
- How Long to Cook a Turkey?
- Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey
How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
The USDA suggests allowing 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds to thaw a turkey. For a 20-pound turkey, start thawing it about 5 days before Thanksgiving. The safest method is to thaw it in the refrigerator.
How to keep turkey juicy and prevent it from drying out?
To keep your turkey juicy, there are two crucial steps. First, be sure to cook it for the right amount of time to avoid overcooking, sounds easy. But it’s trickier than it seems. The solution? A meat thermometer. It’s worth having, even if you only use it once a year. Second, seasoning your turkey properly can make a huge difference in both flavor and moisture.
What’s the best way to season a turkey?
There are many ways to season a turkey to ensure the bird is full of flavor. Brining the bird is a must for me, as it ensures a juicy, tasty turkey. For extra flavor and a beautifully golden brown skin, smother the turkey in butter after the initial stage of cooking. You can use plain butter or flavored one, like this lemon zest, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Feel free to swap out the herbs for parsley, sage, thyme, or a combination of your favorites.
Do you roast a turkey stuffed or unstuffed?
I cook my stuffing separately for several reasons. The USDA recommends not stuffing a turkey due to the risk of cross-contamination and takes turkey longer to cook. Plus, stuffing cooks better when it’s separate, it gets crispy on top and browns nicely.
While roasting, do you cover a whole turkey?
I cover the turkey for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out. Towards the end, I remove the foil, brush it with the rosemary butter, and return it to the oven uncovered for that golden, crispy skin.
When Cooking a Turkey, do you add water to the bottom of the roasting pan?
I don't add water. The turkey, once coated in butter, along with the bird's natural juices create plenty of liquid in the roasting pan for basting.
How long can you keep leftover cooked Turkey?
Turkey will stay fresh in the refrigerator for three to four days! Store leftovers in an airtight container, and they’ll be perfect for sandwiches, dips, soups, quesadilla, and so much more!
How Long to Cook a Turkey?
Use this chart to determine turkey cooking times based on the size of your bird. All times are for a whole unstuffed turkey placed on a rack in a roasting pan, cooked in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven.
| Turkey Weight | Servings | Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 12 lb | 6 to 8 | 2 ¼ to 2 ¾ hours |
| 12 to 14 lb | 8 to 10 | 2 ¾ to 3 hours |
| 15 to 18 lb | 10 to 12 | 3 ¼ to 4 hours |
| 18 to 20 lb | 12 to 14 | 4 to 4 ¼ hours |
| 20 to 22 lb | 14 to 16 | 4 ¼ to 4 ¾ hours |
| 23 to 24 lb | 16 to 20 | 5 to 5 ¼ hours |
Important Notes:
- The turkey is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving and serving.
- For accurate temperature readings, it’s recommended to use both an oven thermometer and a meat thermometer.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey (I used a 15-pound turkey, brined if preferred)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 whole orange
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs leaves stripped and minced
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- If you've brined your turkey, rinse it thoroughly under cold water. Fill the sink with fresh cold water and let the turkey soak for 15 to 20 minutes to remove excess salt. Pat dry the turkey with paper towels and place it on a roasting rack, breast side up. Cross the legs and secure them with kitchen twine. Cover the entire pan with heavy aluminum foil, tucking it underneath. Initially, roast for about 13-15 minutes per pound.
- Combine orange zest, butter, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- After the initial stage of cooking, take the turkey out of the oven and remove the foil. Note: The turkey will still be pale. Spread the butter mixture evenly over the turkey’s skin, making sure to coat all the crevices. Insert a meat thermometer into the thigh, raise the oven temperature to 350°F, and return the turkey back to the oven, basting every 30 minutes.
- Keep roasting the turkey until the thermometer reads 165°F to 168°F, then remove it from the oven. Loosely cover with a clean aluminum foil until ready to carve!
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
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