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    Home » Holiday Recipes » Best Roast Turkey Recipe

    Published: Dec 9, 2020 · Modified: Nov 25, 2021 by Kemi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Best Roast Turkey Recipe

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Best roast turkey recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or for any occasion. This easy moist turkey recipe is simple and you get tender, juicy, and flavorful meat with crispy skin. Let me show you how to roast turkey that your family and guests will love.

    Roasted turkey showing a part of the inside meat.

    If you've been looking for how to cook the perfect turkey in the oven, look no further than this whole turkey recipe. With this recipe, you not only get a flavorful turkey, but you get a deliciously moist turkey that is easy and simple to make. No hassle, no stress!

    Unlike whole roasted chicken which most people make any day and time of the year, turkey is usually reserved for special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's not even sold in most stores till that time of the year. By October you start getting the frozen turkeys in stores and few days to Christmas or thanksgiving you start seeing the fresh refrigerated ones on the shelves. Whether you are buying a frozen turkey or a fresh one, this is the only recipe you need to make the perfect roast turkey.

    No bland or dry turkey here as long as you follow this step by step guide. Serve with sides such as roasted carrots, roast potatoes, and gravy for a happy celebration dinner.

    whole roated turkey in white oven dish.

    Roast Turkey Recipe

    With this recipe, you don't have to brine the turkey but brining for a few hours will make sure it's moist. I have a simple Turkey brine recipe you can use.

    You need just a few pantry ingredients for this recipe so don't panic if all the fresh herbs are sold out in stores.

    No need to baste halfway through cooking and no fear of your turkey getting too brown or dry.

    I used a 3.5kg (6.6lb) turkey for this post. It serves aproximately 8 people. 

    How to Quickly thaw a Frozen turkey

    Put the frozen turkey (don't remove the packaging) in a bowl and cover with water. Let all parts of the packaging be submerged in the water.

    Change the water every 20 - 25 minutes till the turkey is thawed. 

    When it is thawed, part it dry with a paper towel before seasoning and roasting.

    How long does it take to defrost a frozen turkey in the fridge

    If you have time and want to thaw the turkey without submerging it in water, you can thaw it in the fridge. In fact, it is safest to thaw turkey in the fridge. In the fridge, every 5 pounds of turkey takes 24 hours to thaw. 

    Can i cook partially frozen turkey?

    It's best to fully thaw turkey before cooking but you can cook partially frozen turkey and yes it is safe to do so as long as when cooked the internal temperature when checked with a meat thermometer is at least 165F/75C.

    Whole Roast turkey with a slice cut off to show the inside.

    Ingredients

    Whole Turkey

    Butter

    Paprika

    Parsley

    Thyme

    Rosemary

    Black pepper

    Onion powder

    Garlic granules

    Brown Sugar

    FOR TURKEY STUFFING

    When i say stuffing, these are ingredients i put in the turkey cavity to further make it flavorful and juicy. They are:

    Orange

    Onion

    Carrots - Optional

    ingredients for the dish displayed

    TOOLS YOU'LL NEED

    Roasting tray

    Oven rack 

    Knife

    How to Roast Turkey

    Remove giblets and pat turkey dry. Tuck in the wings of the turkey.

    If you did not brine the turkey, season it with salt. Rub the salt all over and inside the cavity. If you brined the turkey, move to the next step.

    In a small bowl, mix the butter, parsley, thyme, rosemary, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic granules to form the marinade.

    turkey, orange, onion and the marinade displayed.

    Place the turkey breast side up and use your hand to pull up the skin and apply the marinade under the skin then all over and inside the bird cavity. Make sure you cover all the parts with the marinade. 

    Marinated turkey.

    Cut the orange and onion and stuff these inside the cavity then tie the legs together with a string.

    The marinated bird with quartered onion and orange beside it.

    Leave the turkey to marinate for 30 minutes while you pre heat the oven at a temperature of 350F/170C. 

    Place the turkey on a rack over a roasting tray and place the tray at the lower bottom rack of the preheated oven so the turkey is placed right in the middle of the oven. Cook for 40 minutes per kg at a temperature of 350F/ 170C. So if cooking a 3kg bird, cooking time will be 120 minutes.

    marinated turkey on rack placed over roasting tray.

    After the first 40 minutes, bring the turkey out and cover with foil. This is so the skin doesn't get too brown quickly or burnt before the inside is done. 
    Return turkey to the oven and bake for the remainder of the time or until it's cooked. 

    Use a meat thermometer to check if the turkey is cooked and safe to eat by inserting the thermometer in the thickest part of the bird (usually the breast side). The internal temperature should be at least 165F/ 75C to be considered safe to eat.

    roasted turkey still on the rack over roasting tray.

    When done, bring the turkey out of the oven and leave to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.

    How Long To Cook Turkey in the Oven

    This varies on the temperature of the oven. So let me answer the below question first:

    What temperatue to cook turkey?

    I cook my turkey at 170C/350F as this temperature keeps it moist and juicy. Cooking at a higher temperature might dry out your turkey.

    So if cooking at a temperature of 350F, It takes 40 minutes for every 1kg up to 4kg then 45 minutes for every kg afterwards.

    whole roated turkey in white oven dish.

    What to serve with Turkey

    Perfect Roasted potatoes

    Instant pot mashed potatoes

    Air fryer vegetables

    Oven roasted Carrots

    Mediterranean roasted vegetables

    Turkey gravy

    Tips for Cooking Turkey

    • It's best to completely thaw the turkey before use. 
    • When defrosting any bird, do not remove the packaging.
    • Pat the turkey dry before marinating to avoid watering down the seasoning and for crispy skin.
    • Rub butter under the skin for crispy skin and flavorful meat.
    • When seasoning the bird, ensure all parts are covered with the marinade.
    • Don't overcook so it doesn't dry out.
    Roast turkey in oven dish garnished with rosemary.

    More Holiday Recipes

    Turkey seasoning

    Chicken seasoning

    Chicken brine

    Best turkey marinade

    Vegetable side dishes

    Hope you like this recipe as much as I do. If you find this post helpful, rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

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    Roasted turkey showing a part of the inside meat.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Best Roast Turkey Recipe - How to Roast a Turkey

    Best roast turkey recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or for any occasion. This moist turkey recipe is easy, simple and you get tender, juicy, and flavorful meat with crispy skin. Let me show you how to roast turkey that your family and guests will love.
    Prep Time35 mins
    Cook Time2 hrs
    2 hrs 35 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, British
    Keyword: best roast turkey recipe, Christmas turkey, how to roast a turkey, roast turkey recipe
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 434kcal
    Author: Kemi

    Equipment

    • Oven
    • Roasting tray
    • Oven rack

    Ingredients

    • 3-3.5kg 6-8lb Whole turkey
    • 4 tablespoons Butter
    • 1 tablespoon Parsley
    • 1 teaspoon Rosemary
    • 1 teaspoon Thyme
    • 1 tablespoon Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon Onion powder
    • ½ tablespoon Garlic granules
    • 1 large Onion (quartered) For the cavity
    • 1 large Orange (quartered) For the cavity
    • Salt

    Instructions

    • Remove giblets and pat turkey dry. Tuck in the wings of the turkey.If you did not brine the turkey, season it with salt. Rub the salt all over and inside the cavity. If you brined the turkey, move to the next step.
      ingredients for the dish displayed
    • In a small bowl, mix the butter, parsley, thyme, rosemary, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic granules to form the marinade.
      turkey, orange, onion and the marinade displayed.
    • Place the turkey breast side up and use your hand to pull up the skin and apply the marinade under the skin then all over and inside the bird cavity. Make sure you cover all the parts with the marinade. 
      Marinated turkey.
    • Cut the orange and onion and stuff these inside the cavity then tie the legs together with a string.
      Leave the turkey to marinate for 30 minutes while you pre heat the oven at a temperature of 350F/170C.
      The marinated bird with quartered onion and orange beside it.
    • Place the turkey on a rack over a roasting tray and place the tray at the lower bottom rack of the preheated oven so the turkey is placed right in the middle of the oven. Cook for 40 minutes per kg at a temperature of 350F/ 170C. So if cooking a 3kg bird, cooking time will be 120 minutes.
      marinated turkey on rack placed over roasting tray.
    • After the first 40 minutes, bring the turkey out and cover with foil. This is so the skin doesn't get too brown quickly or burnt before the inside is done. Return turkey to the oven and bake for the remainder of the time or until it's cooked. 
      Use a meat thermometer to check if the turkey is cooked and safe to eat by inserting the thermometer in the thickest part of the bird (usually the breast side). The internal temperature should be at least 165F/ 75C to be considered safe to eat.
      roasted turkey still on the rack over roasting tray.
    • When done, bring the turkey out of the oven and leave to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.
      Roasted turkey showing a part of the inside meat.

    Notes

    TIPS
    • It's best to completely thaw the turkey before use. 
    • When defrosting any bird, do not remove the packaging.
    • Pat the turkey dry before marinating to avoid watering down the seasoning and for crispy skin.
    • Rub butter under the skin for crispy skin and flavorful meat.
    • When seasoning the bird, ensure all parts are covered with the marinade.
    • Don't overcook so it doesn't dry out.
    HOW LONG TO COOK TURKEY
    This varies on the temperature of the oven. So let me answer the below question first:
    What temperature to cook turkey?
    I cook my turkey at 170C/350F as this temperature keeps it moist and juicy. Cooking at a higher temperature might dry out your turkey.
    So if cooking at a temperature of 350F, It takes 40 minutes for every 1kg up to 4kg then 45 minutes for every kg afterward.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 58g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 207mg | Sodium: 350mg | Potassium: 631mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 809IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 3mg

    Related posts:

    Boiled Cabbage Recipe
    Simple Marinara Sauce Recipe
    Instant Pot Cabbage
    Homemade Curry Powder (How To Make Curry Powder)
    « Simple Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe
    Easy Shortbread Cookies Recipe »

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