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No-Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey, Perfect for a Holiday Feast!

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No-Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey, Perfect for a Holiday Feast

When Thanksgiving season rolls around, many home cooks feel the stress of preparations, especially when it comes to cooking the turkey.

Thanksgiving Turkey – The Centerpiece of the Holiday Feast

Thanksgiving Turkey – The Centerpiece of the Holiday Feast
Credits: @ferrarokitchen

I get it — being the centerpiece of the holiday feast, there’s a lot of pressure to impress your family and friends with a juicy, flavorful turkey.

Your challenge is to figure out how to keep your turkey from tasting dry and bland. That’s where I come in! I’m here to help you out by sharing a fuss-free, easy recipe.

The Basic Dos and Don’ts When Cooking Your Turkey

The Basic Dos and Don’ts When Cooking Your Turkey
Credits: @addapinch

Before I give you the step-by-step guide, let’s quickly review what you should and shouldn’t do when preparing turkey.

✅ Thaw your turkey. Because of its size, you may need 24 hours to let it thaw. But to be safe, I like to start defrosting my turkey two days before cooking. 

❌ Wash your turkey. Don’t wash your turkey, or else it may contaminate your sink. Instead, pat it dry with a paper towel. The bacteria will die once you pop it in the oven.

❌ Brine. If you buy a good quality turkey from Norbest or Butterball, brining is not necessary. The only time you should brine your turkey is if it’s wild.

❌ Baste while you’re turkey’s inside the oven. Opening the oven frequently to baste causes heat loss, which in turn, leads to a very dry turkey.

Baste Turkey for Thanksgiving
Credits: @lakecitybbq

✅ Test the internal temperature. Some people end up with a dry turkey due to overcooking. To prevent this, use a thermometer to check its temperature while it’s in the oven.

✅ Let it rest. After taking your turkey out of the oven, let it rest for 15 minutes minimum. But, if you have time, you can extend it to 40 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld so much better.

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

Easy, No-Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey

Yield: 12 to 15 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Don't let Thanksgiving preparations stress you out. With this foolproof recipe, you can confidently roast your turkey and ensure a juicy, flavorful centerpiece for your holiday feast!

Ingredients

  • 1 large turkey (15 to 20 pounds)
  • 1 onion (peeled and quartered)
  • 1 lemon (quartered)
  • 1 apple (quartered)
  • 1½ tablespoons EACH of fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage

For the herb butter:

  • 1 cup of unsalted butter (at room temperature)
  • 6 to 8 cloves of garlic (minced)
  • Fresh chopped herbs of your choice (I like to use rosemary, thyme, and sage)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Once your turkey has thawed, leave it at room temperature for about an hour.
  2. While waiting, prepare your oven by warming it up to 325°F.
  3. Now, make your herb butter: combine your butter with your garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs. Give it a good mix and pop it in the fridge to cool a bit.
  4. By this time, your turkey should be ready. So, go ahead and remove the neck and giblets from its cavities. You can save these for the gravy or throw them away. 
  5. Now, pat your turkey dry with paper towels before seasoning the cavity generously with salt and pepper. 
  6. After that, stuff your turkey with your quartered lemon, onion, apple, and herbs. 
  7. Flip your turkey over — your turkey should be back-side down now. Use your fingers to lift the skin of the breast and slather a few tablespoons of your herb butter mixture underneath.
  8. Tuck in your turkey’s wings and set it on the rack inside your roasting pan.
  9. Place the remaining herb butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Then, use the melted mixture to baste the entire surface of the turkey with a basting brush.
  10. Once your turkey is seasoned to your liking, place the pan in the oven and roast. (Note: The rule of thumb is to roast for 13 to 15 minutes per pound. So, if you’re working with 15 pounds of turkey, you need to roast it for about 3 hours and 45 minutes. If you don’t want to rely on time alone, you can also use a thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should read 160°F before you can take the turkey off the heat.)
  11. After taking your turkey out of the oven, let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving. You can pour the leftover juice and drippings on top (for added flavor) or save it for your gravy.

    Notes

    Image credit to @happyfoodstube.

    Featured image credit to @blasianbonvivant.

    Sofia Exconde Avatar

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