Best Roasted Turkey Recipe

Perfect oven roasted turkey for your Thanksgiving feast! Learn all about how to roast a turkey in the oven and get it to turn out perfect everytime.

No one wants to sit down to a dry, flavorless turkey on Christmas day! A succulent turkey cooked to perfection is the centerpiece of any festive holiday meal. And making one that is moist and packed with flavor doesn't have to be difficult.

My love of the holidays runs deep, so you know I've been testing and perfecting my turkey recipe for years.

This really is a foolproof method for cooking a turkey that comes out perfect every time!

I know cooking a turkey can seem intimidating, especially for those who have never done it. But trust me, once you try this recipe, you'll have so much confidence that you'll be volunteering to cook the turkey every year!

How to season Oven Roasted Turkey

The best way to ensure that the turkey stays moist and holds all its natural flavor is to brine it. This simply means that you submerge the turkey in a concentrated salt solution for a few hours or overnight.

This not only ensures that your turkey will stay moist, but it also allows all the flavors of your brine to really get into the meat.

I lay out all the details of brining in this post, What is Brining if you are interested in learning more. But don't worry! I include all the brining ingredients and instructions in this post as well.

The next step to getting a perfectly seasoned turkey is actually to rinse it very thoroughly after you remove it from the brine. That removes excess salt so that your other seasonings can shine through.

I like to keep the seasonings for my turkey simple and I season both the outside and inside of the turkey.

Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe: Seasoning the outside

• Unsalted butter {remember, we already added a lot of salt flavor with the brine!}
• Sea salt {just a little bit on the outside, this actually helps the skin dry out and crisp up}
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh sage
• Fresh parsley
• Orange zest
• Lemon zest

Roast Turkey Recipe: Seasoning the inside

• Quartered oranges
• Quartered lemons
• Whole garlic heads
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh sage
• Fresh parsley

How to make Oven Roasted Turkey

Next, you'll need to make sure you have the right setup for roasting your turkey. I really think investing in a quality roasting pan and rack will make a world of difference here.

Turkey's are often just so large, it's hard to roast them in anything other than a roasting pan. This is the roasting pan I have and it it does a fantastic job.

To set up your roasting pan, you'll need a few more ingredients. I put some onions, carrots, and celery in the bottom of my roasting pan.

This creates some great flavor as the turkey roasts and ensures you have some delicious gravy afterward. I add water, a cup at a time, as the turkey roasts. I always want the bottom of the pan to have liquid in it.

Once your veggies are in the bottom, I actually like to line the roasting rack with foil, spray it with non-stick spray, and then poke some holes in it so the air can still flow and liquid can still drain. This just makes cleanup a lot easier.

Once you have your pan and your turkey set, it's easy! The last tip I have for this section is to make sure you start roasting your turkey upside down and then flip it halfway through cooking. This makes sure each side is nice and browned.

How long to roast a a turkey (per pound)

This is the magic question!! Obviously, the bigger the turkey the longer it will take to roast. A good rule of thumb is about 10 minutes per pound, so an 18-pound turkey would take about 3 hours. HOWEVER!!! This is all variable based on the oven temperature the recipe calls for and if the turkey is stuffed or unstuffed. Stuffed turkey's take about an hour to an hour and a half longer to cook than unstuffed.

For this recipe, I use two oven temperatures so the roasting time is different than a recipe that just uses one oven temperature. I let my turkey go for ¾ of the cooking time, check the temperature, and then give it about 30 minutes if it's within 30 degrees of being done.

What is the perfect Roast Turkey Temperature?

Which leads us to the next important question: What temperature is turkey done? This is actually a more complicated question than you may think! All poultry meat is safe to eat once it reaches 165 degrees F, but white meat does best when removed from the oven at 157 and allowed to come up to 165 out of the oven while resting.

Meanwhile, dark meat breaks down a little better at around 185 degrees F, so it is best left a little hot.

I find that the dark meat and white meat usually reach these ideal temperatures at the same time, but really the best way to make sure they do is to spatchcock your turkey.

I don't love doing that, just because it isn't the classic Thanksgiving presentation, but it's a delicious method for sure. I usually monitor both the white and dark meat while cooking and pull the turkey out when both are close to ideal.

This post from Thermoworks is incredibly detailed and super helpful when determining meat cooking temperatures! I also use their Thermapen and love it. The ChefAlarm is on my list for this holiday season though! The thermometers with probes that stay in the oven really take all of the guesswork out for you. Their Smoke 2-Channel actually has two probes, which is perfect for cooking a turkey.

Best Roasted Turkey Recipe tips for success

Wondering what makes this recipe the best? Here are some tips to help you achieve success with your roasted turkey:

• Start with a good quality bird: The meat quality of your turkey is essential for achieving the best results. Opt for a fresh bird if possible.
• Brine the turkey: This step is key. It's what makes the turkey moist and flavorful. The brine helps to keep the meat juicy and infuses it with all sorts of delicious flavors. You can use a pre-made brine or make your own.
• Season to perfection: You'll want to season the outside and inside of your turkey generously. This way, you'll get the perfect balance of flavors in every bite.
• Roast the turkey upside down: For the first hour, roast the turkey upside down. This will allow the juices to flow towards the breast meat, keeping it moist and tender.
• Baste frequently: As your turkey roasts, basting it with its own juices helps to keep it moist.
• Use a thermometer: To ensure your turkey is fully cooked, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature.
• Let it rest: Once your turkey is done, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving it. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in a more tender and flavorful turkey.

What to pair with this Oven Roasted Turkey Recipe

Your oven roasted turkey might be the star of the show, but it's always nice to have some delicious sides to go with it. Here are some suggestions:

• Steakhouse mashed potatoes
• Roasted root vegetables, like brown sugar carrots
• Green bean casserole
• Cornbread stuffing
• Oven roasted Brussels sprouts
• Cranberry apple sauce
• Gravy made from the turkey drippings - chicken gravy will also work
• Oven roasted potatoes

And for dessert, you can't go wrong with a classic pumpkin pie or apple Danish!