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5 from 36 votes

How to Roast a Turkey

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.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 40 minutes
Total Time3 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10
Author: Lil' Luna

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

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. 
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. 

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