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A perfectly cooked roast turkey, golden brown and ready to serve.

Quick way to grow the perfect Roast Turkey

This recipe provides a quick and efficient method for roasting a delicious turkey, perfect for any occasion. It focuses on maximizing flavor and achieving a perfectly cooked bird with minimal fuss.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 (12-14 lb) whole turkey
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 onions, quartered
  • 3 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, roughly chopped
  • 4 cups chicken broth

Equipment

  • Roasting pan
  • Roasting rack
  • Meat thermometer
  • Small bowl
  • Paper towels

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and remove the turkey from its packaging, patting it dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create an herb butter.
  3. Loosen the turkey skin over the breast and thighs, then spread about two-thirds of the herb butter evenly under the skin, and rub the remaining butter over the outside of the turkey.
Roasting
  1. Place the quartered onions, chopped carrots, and chopped celery inside the turkey cavity and scatter any remaining vegetables around the bottom of a large roasting pan.
  2. Pour the chicken broth into the roasting pan and place the turkey on a roasting rack set inside the pan.
  3. Roast for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and continue roasting for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
  4. Baste the turkey with pan juices every 30-45 minutes to keep it moist and golden brown.
Resting and Carving
  1. Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven, tent it loosely with foil, and let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving.
  2. Carve the turkey and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, you can increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last 15-20 minutes of roasting. Always ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety. The resting period is crucial for juicy turkey, allowing the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.