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How to Roast a Turkey – All the tips and tricks you’ll need to make a turkey full of flavor. It’s great for Thanksgiving but really for any holiday.

You can’t resist a delicious turkey for Thanksgiving! Serve it with mashed potatoes, rolls, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie and you’re set! Plus, this turkey is so flavorful it’s great to save and use for leftovers in so many soups and casseroles.

COLLECTIONS: Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

How to Roast a turkey recipe instructions


Perfect Roast Turkey

Hi everyone! It’s Gina from Kleinworth & Co. & I’m back today to share my favorite Thanksgiving recipe. Have you ever wanted to know How to Roast a Turkey?

Today I’m sharing my recipe that took me years to perfect. But now it’s so easy that we make a full turkey dinner several times a year!

When my husband & I spent our first Thanksgiving together it was a disaster. But now here we are 20 years later & the turkey is the easiest part of the whole feast. Let me show you just how simple it can be.

First up – let’s talk about the size of turkey to buy as well as thawing a frozen turkey…

What size turkey should I buy for my dinner? Take a headcount and plan to serve each person 1- 1 ½ lbs of turkey. For 10 people plan to serve a 10-15 lb turkey. If you are hosting a large crowd consider cooking two smaller turkeys. 

Roast turkey in pan with veggies and apples

Best Way to Thaw a Frozen Turkey

DO NOT thaw at room temperature or in hot water. Also, do not refreeze a raw turkey. With that said you have a couple of choices.

  • In the fridge: Keep the turkey in its wrapping and place it in the fridge. Allow 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds. Once the turkey has thawed it can stay in the fridge for an additional 2 days before it needs to be cooked: A 12 lb turkey will need 36 hours to thaw.
  • A cold water bath: Make sure the package is leak proof or put the turkey in a leak proof bag. Completely submerge the turkey in cold tap water. Depending on the size of your turkey you can use a sink, a large cooler or even the bathtub. The water needs to stay cold so change the water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes per 4-5 lbs to thaw: a 12 lb turkey will need 6 hours. Cook the turkey as soon as it is thawed. 
Turkey close up with pats of butter under skin

How to roast a turkey

This is how we do it (keep scrolling to see different times and temps to cook). Trust us – it’s easier than you think!

First you cut your veggies & add them to the bottom of the pan. I also add apples because it gives a wonderful flavor (cut in half, inside turkey and sprinkled around too). NOTE – be sure to use a roasting pan with an elevated rack to keep the bird somewhat above the liquid

Then you add your bird & stuff it full of those same veggies. I like to add butter between the skin & meat to help crisp the skin & give it a great flavor.

Don’t forget to give the whole bird a coat of melted compound butter. I love to use my Italian garlic butter. I don’t really add any other seasonings at this point because I have found they tend to burn. However once we get to the glaze there will be plenty of flavor. I bake for a while (about 30 minutes) uncovered to get that skin to start to crisp.

Continue roasting an additional 2 – 2.5 hours depending on the size of your turkey (check label for exact cooking times per size) Basting every 40-45 minutes.

How long to cook a turkey

Turkey Cook Times

How long should I cook my turkey? To be 100% sure your turkey is done use a meat thermometer. When the bird reaches 165 degrees F it’s done. The following will give you a rough idea of how long to expect it to take:

  • 10 – 18 lbs: unstuffed 3-3.5 hours: stuffed 3.5-4.5 hours
  • 18 – 22 lbs: unstuffed 3.5-4 hours: stuffed 4.5-5 hours
  • 22 – 24 lbs: unstuffed 2-2.5 hours: stuffed 5-5.5 hours
  • 24 – 29 lbs: unstuffed 4.5-5 hours: stuffed 5.5-6.5 hours

BE SURE to stick your thermometer into the thickest part of the bird & make sure it’s at least 165 degrees.

Roast Turkey glaze

Turkey Glaze

Check temperature near the end – once you reach a minimum of 165 degrees in the thickest part of the turkey, it’s time to add your glaze.

Our glaze is made up of molasses, dijon mustard, granulated garlic, pepper and salt. Whisk glaze ingredients in a small bowl to combine. Brush glaze over turkey and return turkey to oven, uncovered & cook an additional 15 minutes to crisp the skin.

Remove & let rest 10-20 minutes before carving.

Roast Turkey recipe

turkey FAQ + Tips

What do I do if the top is cooking quicker than the middle? You definitely do not want to end up with a scorched turkey. If your turkey has begun to brown too quickly loosely cover the top with aluminum foil. Also, if the drippings are starting to evaporate and become too dark go ahead and add a tablespoon or two to the pan. 

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: Remember to give your turkey a rest: Once your turkey has been taken out of the oven let the turkey rest under a loose sheet of foil for at least 20 minutes before carving. 

How do I store leftovers? Remove the meat from the bones. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freezer for 2-3 months. 

What to make with leftover turkey? There are so many options, but here are some of our favorites:

How to Roast a Turkey

For more Thanksgiving recipes:

COLLECTIONS: Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Perfect Roast Turkey
5 from 20 votes

How to Roast a Turkey Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Learn how to roast a turkey with all the tips and tricks you'll need to make a turkey full of flavor for Thanksgiving or any holiday.
Servings: 10
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 2 hours 40 minutes
Total: 3 hours

Ingredients 

  • 1 turkey thawed
  • 5-6 stalks celery chopped
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 4-5 carrots peeled and chopped
  • 2 head minced garlic peeled
  • 2-3 apples
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 6 tablespoons butter divided
  • 3 tablespoons compound butter (such as Italian Garlic Butter)

Glaze

  • 1 cup molasses
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
  • 3 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

Instructions 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

  • Cut your celery, carrots, onion & garlic & add most of them to the bottom of your roasting pan.
  • *Note- be sure to use a roasting pan with an elevated rack to keep the bird somewhat above the liquid.
  • Prepare your turkey by removing the added items (neck, giblets, gravy packet) – no need to rinse the turkey- leave the tie on the legs – this helps keep it together.
  • Place turkey in your prepared pan.
  • Stuff remaining veggies inside turkey.
  • Add one apple- cut in half, inside turkey.
  • Place remaining apples (also cut in half) around outside of the turkey.
  • Cut your butter into 1 tbsp pats.
  • Carefully lift skin away from meat & slide pats of butter in between the skin & breast.
  • Add chicken stock to the bottom of the pan.
  • Melt your compound butter & brush over the entire turkey.
  • Roast in preheated oven, uncovered for 30 minutes.
  • Remove, baste, tent with foil – return to oven.

Reduce heat to 375 degrees

  • Continue roasting an additional 2-2½ hours depending on the size of your turkey (check label for exact cooking times per size) Basting every 40-45 minutes.
  • Check temperature near the end – once you reach a minimum of 165°F in the thickest part of the turkey, it's time to add your glaze.
  • Whisk glaze ingredients in a small bowl to combine.
  • Brush glaze over turkey & return turkey to oven, uncovered & cook an additional 15 minutes to crisp the skin.
  • Remove & let rest 10-20 minutes before carving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 603kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 57g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 212mg, Sodium: 1098mg, Potassium: 1329mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 30g, Vitamin A: 4650IU, Vitamin C: 9.2mg, Calcium: 137mg, Iron: 4.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
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About Lil Luna

Lil’ Luna is the place to find all things creative. From recipes to home decor to gift ideas and crafts, you can find unique, simple and fun ideas for your home, kitchen and for any occasion.

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Recipe Rating




43 Comments

    1. Tim you can simply serve as a side. Chop into slightly larger than bite size pieces. Save to eat as roasted side dish another day. Add to another stuffing dish or in a roasted veggie & rice dish or roasted veggie & turkey pot pie. Yum!

  1. I recently saw a recipe for a small boneless turkey breast but I can’t find it. What’s the best way to bake one? Thank you all!

    1. I’d still suggest roasting in the oven, however you could probably use the slow cooker as well. The size of your boneless turkey breast will determine how long to bake it for.

  2. 5 stars
    My first ever turkey and this was so fabulous! I was worried about that molasses glaze but it was SO GOOD. Definitely do not skip!

  3. This sounds delicious, especially with the glaze.
    When you say ‘tent’ the foil over Turkey is that just a light covering or tightly sealed?

  4. 5 stars
    The dish seems delicious. I must try this with amazing taste. Thanks for sharing all the ingredients.

  5. 5 stars
    Thankyou the providing the detailed guide and now I can try to make turkey at my home.