The Perfect Roast Turkey
Jump to recipe
Yields:
8
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
4 hrs
Cal/Serv:
490
The centerpiece of your holiday meal, the turkey is one dish you want to get just right — and with this foolproof recipe, you can roast a beautiful, succulent turkey every time.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Ingredients
- 1 (13- to 15-pound) fresh or thawed frozen turkey (neck and giblets removed)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium onion, cut into quarters
- 1 large carrot, cut into thirds
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
Directions
- Step 1Preheat oven to 325°F. Rinse turkey with cold water, drain well, and pat dry with paper towels. Season inside the cavity with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stuff cavity with onion and carrot, and tie legs together using butcher's twine.
- Step 2In a roasting pan fitted with a rack, place turkey breast side up. Rub butter under and over skin. Rub skin with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Loosely tent turkey with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- Step 3Roast turkey for 1 hour, then baste with pan juices. Roast for 1 more hour; then remove and discard foil and baste. Continue roasting, basting turkey every 30 minutes until an instant-read thermometer reaches 170°F when inserted into thickest part of thigh, 3 1/2 to 4 hours total.
- Step 4Let turkey rest for 20 minutes, cut off butcher's twine, and remove carrot and onion from cavity and discard. Drain any juices from cavity into roasting pan and transfer turkey to a serving platter. Serve with gravy.
Tips & Techniques
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Why I Bring My Phone to the Thanksgiving Table
20 Leftover Turkey Recipes for After Thanksgiving
Our Food Editor Shares Her Thanksgiving Menu
Green Bean Casserole Turns 70!
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below