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Simple and Perfect Roast Turkey Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 66 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6-6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This simple and perfect roast turkey recipe delivers a beautifully golden and juicy turkey with minimal effort. Utilizing classic seasonings like lemon, poultry seasoning, and butter, it produces a flavorful bird that’s perfect for holiday dinners or special occasions. The turkey is roasted in the oven to tender perfection, ensuring a moist and savory centerpiece for your meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 fresh or thawed turkey (10-12 lbs)
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
  • 1 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1-2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Optional Stuffing Ingredients

  • 1/2 apple, sliced
  • 1/2 lemon, quartered
  • 1/2 onion, quartered
  • 2-3 fresh sage leaves

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for roasting the turkey evenly.
  2. Prepare Turkey: Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity, rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water, then pat it completely dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp up during roasting.
  3. Melt Butter Mixture: Melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, remove it from the heat and stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and poultry seasoning to infuse the butter with bright, savory flavors.
  4. Season Turkey: Place the turkey on a rack inside a large roasting pan. Liberally season both the inside cavity and the outside of the turkey with kosher salt and sprinkle ground black pepper evenly over the skin.
  5. Optional Stuffing: If desired, stuff the turkey’s cavity with the sliced apple, quartered lemon, quartered onion, and fresh sage leaves to add aromatic flavor from within.
  6. Truss Turkey: Use kitchen string to tie the legs together securely and tuck the wing tips under the body to prevent burning during roasting.
  7. Butter Basting: Using a brush, coat the entire turkey with the melted butter mixture. This not only adds flavor but helps create a beautifully golden and crispy skin.
  8. Roast Turkey: Place the turkey uncovered in the preheated oven. Baste it every 30 minutes with the butter mixture to keep the skin moist and flavorful throughout the 2-3 hour cooking period.
  9. Check Doneness: Roast until a food thermometer inserted into the innermost part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F, indicating the turkey is safely and perfectly cooked.
  10. Rest and Carve: Remove the turkey from the oven and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Allow it to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving, which helps the juices redistribute for moist, tender slices.

Notes

  • Ensure the turkey is completely thawed before beginning to cook to guarantee even roasting.
  • Basting every 30 minutes helps keep the skin crispy and flavorful but can be skipped if short on time.
  • Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking and drying out the turkey.
  • Letting the turkey rest after roasting is essential to retain juices and improve texture.
  • Optional stuffing ingredients add aroma but should not be used as a full stuffing for food safety unless cooked separately.

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Find it online: https://familyfriendlydishes.com/simple-and-perfect-roast-turkey-recipe/