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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.

How to Roast a turkey recipe instructions, a turkey in a roasting pan.

A Perfect Roast Turkey

We all know that turkey is THE classic dinner idea for holidays, especially Thanksgiving!

After years of making turkeys, we finally have it down to a science, and today we will be sharing all the best tips and tricks so you can have the PERFECT roast turkey recipe.

Learn how to roast a turkey with these simple steps. Serve it with Best Mashed Potatoes, Dinner Rolls Recipe, Green Bean Casserole Recipe, and Homemade Pumpkin Pie and you’ll have the perfect holiday meal

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Delicious. This Thanksgiving dinner idea is full of color and is juicy and flavorful!
  • No Fail. We did all the hard work for you to make sure we share all the top tips and tricks to get the juice, tasty bird.
  • Everyone will love you. Because turkey can often be considered difficult, you will look like the turkey pro making this recipe for your family.
Veggie ingredients for roast turkey recipe.

Ingredients

Stuffed Turkey

  • 1 turkey thawed plan to serve each person 1-1ยฝ pounds of turkey. For 10 people plan to serve a 10-15 pound turkey. If you are hosting a large crowd consider cooking two smaller turkeys. 
  • 5-6 stalks celery, chopped
  • ยฝ onion chopped yellow onion is a good choice
  • 4-5 carrots peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves minced garlic peeled How to Mince Garlic, or use 2 teaspoons of minced garlic from a jar
  • 2-3 apples cut them in half
  • 2 cups chicken broth or chicken stock
  • 6 tablespoons butter – divided
  • 3 tablespoons compound butter (such as Italian garlic butter)

Glaze

  • 1 cup molasses use regular (original or mild) molasses
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard – or your favorite brown mustard
  • 1 tablespoon garlic salt
  • 3 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

Thaw That Turkey

Move your turkey to the fridge in plenty of time to thaw.

  • 4-11 lbs – Monday before Thanksgiving
  • 12-15 lbs – Sunday before Thanksgiving
  • 6-19 lbs – Saturday before Thanksgiving
  • 20-24 lbs – Friday before Thanksgiving

How to roast a turkey

  1. PREP. Preheat oven to 425ยฐF.
  2. VEGGIES. Chop 5-6 stalks celery, chop 4-5 peeled carrots, chop ยฝ onion & mince 2 cloves of garlic. Add โ…” of the prepared vegetables to the bottom of the roasting pan.
    • *Note: be sure to use a roasting pan with an elevated rack to keep the bird somewhat above the liquid
  3. TURKEY PREP. Prepare 1 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 (or use kitchen twine to tie them together if not tied).
    • Place a roasting rack above the layer of vegetables and then place the turkey on the rack.
  4. FILL. Stuff the remaining โ…“ veggies inside the turkey cavity.
    • Add one apple (cut in half), inside the turkey. Place the remaining apples (also cut in half) around the outside of the turkey.
    • Cut the 6 tablespoons of butter into 1 tablespoon pats.
    • Carefully lift the skin away from the meat & slide each pat of butter in between the skin & breast. Do your best to spread the butter pats out evenly. Add 2 cups chicken broth to the bottom of the pan.
  5. BRUSH. Melt your compound butter and brush over the entire turkey.

Roast

  1. COOK. Roast in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
    • Reduce heat to 375ยฐF.
    • Remove, baste, and tent foil over the turkey – return to oven.
    • Continue roasting an additional 2-2ยฝ hours depending on the size of your turkey (check label for exact cooking times per size), basting every 40-45 minutes.
  2. TEMPERATURE. Using a meat thermometer, check the temperature near the end. Once you reach a minimum of 165ยฐF in the thickest part of the turkey, it’s time to add your glaze.
Glaze being added to roast turkey.

Turkey Glaze

  1. PREP. In a small bowl whisk 1 cup of molasses, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon garlic salt, 3 teaspoons black pepper, and 2 teaspoons kosher salt.
  2. GLAZE. Brush the glaze over the turkey and return the uncovered turkey to the oven. Cook for an additional 15 minutes to crisp the skin.
    • Remove and let rest 10-20 minutes before carving. Whether you prefer the turkey breast, thigh, drumsticks, or wings, you’ll enjoy every juicy piece!

**To enhance the flavor even more, you can also use a Turkey Brine.

Close up of sliced roast turkey in dish with herbs and cranberries.

Complete the Meal

Side Dishes

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5 from 36 votes

How to Roast a Turkey

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
  • ยฝ onion, chopped
  • 4-5 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves 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 garlic salt
  • 3 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

Instructions 

Preheat oven to 425ยฐF.

  • Cut your celery, carrots, onion, and 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 and slide pats of butter in between the skin & breast.
  • Add chicken stock to the bottom of the pan.
  • Melt your compound butter and brush over the entire turkey.
  • Roast in preheated oven, uncovered for 30 minutes.
  • Remove, baste, tent with foil – return to oven.

Reduce heat to 375ยฐF

  • Continue roasting an additional 2-2ยฝ 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 165ยฐF 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 and return turkey to oven, uncovered, and cook an additional 15 minutes to crisp the skin.
  • Remove and let rest 10-20 minutes before carving.

Video

Notes

Gravy. You can use the turkey drippings to make Turkey Gravy.
Brine. Some people like to brine to enhance the flavor and moisture of the turkey, but it is not necessary. If you choose not to brine, you can still achieve a delicious and juicy turkey by properly seasoning, basting, and cooking it.
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 aluminum foil for at least 20 minutes before carving.ย 
STORE. Remove the meat from the bones. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freezer for 2-3 months.ย 

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.

Recipe FAQS

  • Instead of adding veggies to the turkey cavity, stuff it with your favorite stuffing recipe, but don’t overstuff. Use kitchen twine to close the cavity. Roast according to the recipe. Both the turkey and stuffing need to reach 165ยฐF.
  • Toss the extra veggies with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, and parsley and place them inside the turkey cavity.
  • Mix the butter with the fresh herbs or lemon zest and then add spoonfuls of it under the turkey skin.
  • Remove the meat from the bones. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freezer for 2-3 months. 

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 36 votes (17 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




49 Comments

  1. Sharina says:

    5 stars
    This roasted turkey is remarkable! It’s super tender and juicy. Every bite screams flavor! Highly recommended!

  2. Tim says:

    What do you do with the vegetables that are in the roasting pan

    1. Lisa says:

      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!

  3. Debbie Welch says:

    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. Lil'Luna Team says:

      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.

  4. Noelle Pease says:

    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!

  5. Diane Sexton says:

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

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Thank you, it really is! Yes, it is just a loose covering ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. chinese acupuncture says:

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

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You are so welcome!

  7. Google search operators says:

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

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You are so welcome!

  8. Facetime Vs Whatsapp says:

    5 stars
    It is looking very amazing and delicious. it also seems very mouth-watering.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      It is! Hope you try it sometime!

  9. HE detergents says:

    5 stars
    it looks very delicious and yummy.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Thank you!

  10. Desiree says:

    5 stars
    We made this turkey Following the recipe And it turned out perfect. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You are so welcome!! I am glad it was perfect! Thank you!