Cooking a Roast Turkey for the first time can seem daunting, but not with this roast turkey recipe! It’s straightforward, thoroughly tested for reliability, and guarantees a perfect outcome every time. The result is a turkey that’s juicy, moist, and bursting with flavor, sure to be a hit with your family. And the best part? You can achieve this deliciousness without any brining or basting, making your cooking experience simpler and more enjoyable.
When it comes to roasting a turkey, avoiding dry and tough meat is key. I understand the stress of cooking a turkey, especially since it’s often the centerpiece of a holiday meal. That’s why I’m sharing my foolproof roast turkey recipe with you. It guarantees a moist, tender, and juicy turkey with perfectly buttery crispy skin every time.
It’s a straightforward recipe that is hard to mess up if you read it carefully, and follow my guidelines, tips, and tricks.
And if you’re looking for something different for your holiday feast, check out my Smoked Turkey recipe, we’re obsessed with it! You can also try Grilling your Turkey, try a Spatchcock Turkey, or for a beautiful presentation go for my Bacon Wrapped Turkey.
Roast Turkey Tips
Below are a few quick tips that you need to know before you cook your turkey. For very detailed information, check out my complete turkey guide!
- Think about the size of the turkey that you want to buy. You will need about 1lb/450g of turkey per adult (you will end up with half a pound of edible meat), and a total of half a pound/225g per child.
- The best way to defrost a frozen turkey is at the bottom of the refrigerator, it will take about 3-5 days to fully defrost depending on the size of the turkey.
- If you decide to brine, never brine self-basting turkey as it will end up too salty.
- Basting your turkey will help it cook faster, but it doesn’t make the meat moister or juicier. I don’t recommend basting as opening the oven door too often will drop the temperature of the oven.
- Cover the turkey breast with aluminum foil if it’s starting to brown too much, for small turkeys, it’s not necessary.
- The turkey is done when a meat thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F (74°C), and the inner thigh reaches at least 170°F (77°C).
Ingredients Needed
To make a roast turkey, here’s what you’ll need:
- Turkey – fresh, or frozen and completely thawed turkey.
- Butter – use unsalted butter to give the turkey great flavor, keep the meat moist, and help the skin brown and crisp up.
- Aromatics – onion, garlic, and mixed fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, and parsley.
- Salt and pepper – table salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Meat Thermometer – a reliable kitchen thermometer is not an ingredient, but an essential when it comes to cooking turkeys!
How to Roast a Turkey
- Bring to room temperature: Remove the turkey from the fridge one hour prior to cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Remove the neck and giblets, and save them for gravy if you wish to make giblet gravy. Remove any pin feathers that were left behind, and pat the bird dry using paper towels. Do NOT rinse the turkey.
- Seaon the bird: Tuck the wings behind the bird, then season the cavity with salt and pepper and stuff with onion quarters, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs to infuse the turkey with great flavor as it cooks. Truss the legs using butcher twine for better presentation.
- Place on a roasting rack, season with salt and pepper, and brush with melted butter from all sides. If you wish to make gravy using the drippings, add some aromatics to the bottom of the roasting pan (I add 1 onion sliced in half, garlic, and fresh herbs).
- Roast in the oven for 2-4 hours depending on the size of the bird (more on this below).
- Browning: When it browns nicely, make herb butter (mix 2 tablespoons of melted butter with 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs), brush it over the skin using a pastry brush, then put the turkey back in the oven for 30 more minutes or until it reaches the desired temperature.
- To prevent excessive browning, shield the turkey breast with foil. Check the temperature of the bird using a Thermapen kitchen thermometer. When a kitchen thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F/74°C, and the inner thigh reaches at least 170°F/77°C, the turkey is done and must be removed from the oven immediately.
- Rest Before Carving: Allow the bird to rest for 30-40 minutes and up to 1 hour on a cutting board before carving, this will help redistribute the juices and keep the turkey moist.
Keep Checking The Temperature
The most important thing when it comes to cooking a turkey is to get it to the right temperature to ensure that it is safe to eat, and that the meat is tender, juicy, moist, and never dry. I overcooked turkeys before, and trust me, there’s nothing worse than dry turkey meat!
So my biggest recommendation when it comes to cooking a turkey is to get the guesswork out of cooking and invest in a really good kitchen thermometer. And to be honest, it’s a kitchen essential that I use to properly cook all types of poultry and meat, and it’s also handy when it comes to candy-making and baking.
If your turkey is undercooked, it’s not safe to eat and you run the risk of food poisoning. If it’s overcooked, then it will be dry and tough, and your turkey dinner will be ruined. So I will say it again, a kitchen thermometer is crucial so invest in a really good kitchen thermometer like the Thermapen to cook your turkey to perfection this Thanksgiving!
Stuffing and Cooking Time
If you love stuffing, then I recommend that you cook it separately instead of stuffing it in the cavity of the bird. If you cooking it in the cavity, it will add cooking time and dry out the meat. Check out my Buttery Herb Stuffing, or this Sausage Stuffing recipe.
For an unstuffed bird, it should roughly take about 15 minutes per pound (450g). Here’s a rough breakdown, but remember, it is just a rough guide and you should keep checking the temperature of the meat to know when it’s done.
- 6 pound – 2.75kg: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- 8 pound – 3.6kg: 2 hours.
- 10 pound – 9kg: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- 12 pound – 5.5kg: 3 hours.
- 14 pound – 6.3kg: 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- 16 pound – 7.25kg: 4 hours.
How to Carve a Turkey (Step-by-step)
- Let the Turkey Rest Before carving, ensure the turkey has rested for 30-40 minutes, or up to 1 hour. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat moister and easier to carve.
- Gather the Right Tools: Use a sharp carving knife and a sturdy fork or carving fork. A cutting board with a well to catch juices is also helpful.
- Remove the String: If you’ve trussed the turkey, cut and remove the string.
- Start with the Legs: Begin by cutting through the skin connecting the leg to the body. Pull the leg outward and use your knife to cut through the joint, separating the leg from the body. Repeat on the other side.
- Separate the Drumsticks and Thighs: Place the leg on the cutting board and cut between the thigh and drumstick at the joint. Slice through the joint to separate them.
- Carve the Thigh Meat: Slice the thigh meat parallel to the bone. You can either remove the bone first and then slice the meat or slice it directly off the bone.
- Remove the Wishbone (optional): The wishbone, located at the front of the breast, can be removed for easier breast meat carving. Feel for it and make an incision along its sides, then pull it out gently.
- Slice the Breast Meat: Make a deep cut into the breast meat, starting from the neck end, running along one side of the breastbone. Continue slicing, gradually angling the knife towards the rib cage until the breast is fully separated. Repeat on the other side.
- Carve the Breast Meat: Once removed, place the breast on the cutting board and slice it against the grain for tender pieces.
- Wings Last: Finally, remove the wings by cutting at the joints where they connect to the body.
- Arrange and Serve: Arrange the carved meat on a platter. You can separate dark and white meat or mix them. Garnish with herbs or fruits for a festive presentation.
How to Stove Leftover Turkey
Short-Term Storage
- Cool Down: Allow the leftover turkey to cool to room temperature. Avoid leaving it out for more than two hours to prevent bacterial growth.
- Refrigerate Promptly: Cut the turkey into smaller pieces to cool it faster and place them in shallow containers. This helps in even cooling and saves space in the refrigerator.
- Proper Packaging: Use airtight containers or wrap the turkey tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to retain moisture and prevent it from absorbing other flavors in the fridge.
- Refrigeration Duration: Stored this way, the turkey leftovers will remain good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheating Tips: When reheating, ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s safe to eat.
Extended Storage
- Freeze for Longevity: For extended storage, turkey can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality.
- Portioning: Divide the turkey into portions that are practical for future meals. This makes it easier to thaw only what you need.
- Freezer-Safe Packaging: Wrap the turkey tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or place it in freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label and Date: Label each package with the date, so you can keep track of how long the turkey has been stored.
- Thawing Safely: When ready to use, thaw the turkey in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. Depending on the portion size, this can take several hours or overnight.
Recipe FAQs
Fresh herbs will give you the best flavor, but if fresh herbs are not available, you can either skip the herbs altogether and make a plain butter turkey which will still taste great. Or, use dried herbs but reduce the amount to just a third.
Yes! But make sure to reduce the temperature by 10 degrees if you’re using Celsius, or by 25 degrees if using Fahrenheit.
It is very important to let the turkey rest for 30-40 minutes and up to 1 hour. This will make carving the turkey much easier, and the juices will redistribute so you will get juicer meat.
What Sides to Serve With Turkey?
- Cranberry Sauce
- Mashed potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole
- Roasted brussels sprouts
- Brown sugar glazed carrots
- Scalloped potatoes
- The best ever stuffing recipe
- Turkey Dessert Cheese Ball
- Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Roast Turkey Recipe
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 8-12lb 4-6kg whole turkey thawed
- 2 onions halved or quartered (yellow, white, brown)
- 2 heads garlic halved horizontally
- 1 bunch mixed fresh herbs sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter
- salt and pepper
- 1 and ½ cups (350ml) water
Instructions
- Remove the turkey from the fridge one hour prior to cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.
- Remove the neck and giblets, and save them for gravy if you wish to make giblet gravy. Remove any pin feathers that were left behind, and pat the bird dry using paper towels. Do NOT rinse the turkey.
- Tuck the wings behind the bird, then season the cavity with salt and pepper and stuff with onion quarters, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs. Truss the legs using butcher twine for better presentation.
- Place on a roasting rack, season with salt and pepper, and brush with melted butter from all sides. If you wish to make gravy using the drippings, add some aromatics to the bottom of the roasting pan (I add 1 onion sliced in half, garlic, and fresh herbs).
- Bake in the oven for 2-4 hours depending on the size of the bird (check cooking times in the notes below).
- When it browns nicely, make herb butter (mix 2 tablespoons of melted butter with 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs), brush it over the skin using a pastry brush, then put the turkey back in the oven for 30 more minutes or until it reaches the desired temperature.
- To prevent excessive browning, shield the turkey breast with foil. Check the temperature of the bird using a Thermapen kitchen thermometer. When a kitchen thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F/74°C, and the inner thigh reaches at least 170°F/77°C, the turkey is done and must be removed from the oven immediately.
- Allow the bird to rest for 30-40 minutes and up to 1 hour before carving, this will help redistribute the juices and keep the turkey moist.
Notes:
- 6 pound – 2.75kg: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- 8 pound – 3.6kg: 2 hours.
- 10 pound – 9kg: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- 12 pound – 5.5kg: 3 hours.
- 14 pound – 6.3kg: 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- 16 pound – 7.25kg: 4 hours
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Pete says
The best recipe, so far.