Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Here’s an easy Thanksgiving Turkey recipe that will help you create a delicious, juicy bird with minimal effort. It focuses on simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, so you can spend more time enjoying the holiday!

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds), thawed if frozen
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried or fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon dried sage (or a few fresh sage leaves)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 lemon, quartered
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (for roasting pan)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C). Position a rack in the lower third of the oven for best heat circulation.
2. Prepare the turkey: Remove the turkey giblets and pat the turkey dry with paper towels. This will help ensure a crispy skin.
3. Season the turkey: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, sage, and minced garlic. Rub this mixture all over the turkey, making sure to get under the skin (especially on the breast) for extra flavor.
4. Stuff the turkey: Place the quartered onion and lemon inside the turkey’s cavity. This will add extra moisture and flavor while roasting.
5. Roast the turkey: Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan to keep the turkey moist while it cooks. Tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil.
6. Cooking time: Roast the turkey for about 13 minutes per pound. For a 12-14 pound turkey, this will take around 2.5-3 hours. Remove the foil during the last 45 minutes to allow the skin to brown and crisp.
7. Check for doneness: The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the breast and 175°F (80°C) in the thigh. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.
8. Rest the turkey: Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat moist.
9. Carve and serve: After resting, carve the turkey and serve with your favorite Thanksgiving sides!

Tips:

• If you prefer extra crispy skin, you can increase the oven temperature to 400°F during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
• Baste the turkey with its own juices once or twice during roasting for added moisture, though it’s not necessary for a juicy turkey.
• Make sure your turkey is fully thawed before cooking if it’s frozen.

Enjoy your easy and delicious Thanksgiving turkey!