The Best Juicy & Easy Roast Turkey Recipe
A straightforward and classic recipe for a perfectly roasted turkey. The method involves seasoning a whole turkey inside and out, then stuffing the cavity with simple aromatics like onion, garlic, and fresh herbs to infuse the meat with flavor. The turkey is brushed with melted butter and roasted using a two-temperature method: first at a low temperature while tented with foil to ensure it cooks gently, and then at a high temperature, uncovered, to achieve a perfectly golden-brown and crisp skin.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes (includes resting time)
- Yield: 6-10 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- One 8- to 10-pound turkey
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 1 head garlic, halved
- Several sprigs fresh herbs (such as thyme, parsley, rosemary, and sage)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Adjust an oven rack to the lowest position and preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Remove any giblets from the turkey cavities. Pat the turkey completely dry with paper towels, both inside and out.
- Season the inside of the turkey cavity liberally with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the quartered onion, halved head of garlic, fresh herb sprigs, and bay leaves.
- Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack set inside a roasting pan.
- Brush the entire outside of the turkey generously with half of the melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil.
- Roast for 2 hours.
- Remove the foil and baste the turkey with the remaining melted butter.
- Increase the oven temperature to 425°F.
- Continue to roast, uncovered, for about 45 more minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F.
- Remove the turkey from the oven, transfer to a cutting board, and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.
Notes
- Patting the turkey skin completely dry before brushing with butter is a crucial step for achieving crispy, golden-brown skin.
- The two-temperature roasting method ensures the turkey cooks evenly without drying out, while also browning the skin beautifully at the end.
- Resting the turkey after roasting is essential for a juicy, tender result as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/roast-turkey-recipe/