Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, and at the heart of any Thanksgiving celebration is the BEST Thanksgiving turkey. While many home cooks stress over getting it just right, there’s no need to worry. This foolproof recipe ensures a juicy, flavorful, and perfectly roasted turkey that will become the star of your holiday feast.
Let’s dive in and discover how to make the BEST Thanksgiving turkey that will leave your guests raving. With this step-by-step guide, you’ll be well on your way to preparing a turkey that’s tender, moist, and bursting with flavor—all without the fuss!
Jump to
- What Size Turkey Should You Buy for the BEST Thanksgiving Turkey?
- How to Thaw Your Turkey for the BEST Thanksgiving Turkey
- What You Shouldn’t Do When Preparing the BEST Thanksgiving Turkey
- How to Prepare the BEST Thanksgiving Turkey
- How to Roast the BEST Thanksgiving Turkey to Perfection
- Related recipes
- FAQs
- Final thoughts
What Size Turkey Should You Buy for the BEST Thanksgiving Turkey?
Before you even start preparing your Thanksgiving turkey, you need to figure out how big of a bird to buy. The size of the turkey depends on how many people you’re serving. A general rule of thumb is to buy 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. This ensures everyone gets a hearty portion, and you’ll have some delicious leftovers to enjoy the next day.
For example, if you’re feeding 6 guests, a 10-pound turkey is ideal. If you’re planning to serve 10 people, go for a 15-pound turkey. But don’t be afraid to go bigger! You’ll be glad to have extra turkey for sandwiches, soups, and more. The beauty of the BEST Thanksgiving turkey recipe is that it works for all sizes, and the steps remain the same.
If you’re unsure of the exact number of guests, it’s better to have a little extra turkey than not enough. After all, no one will complain about more turkey on their plate.
How to Thaw Your Turkey for the BEST Thanksgiving Turkey
Thawing is an essential step in the process of preparing the BEST Thanksgiving turkey. A properly thawed turkey ensures even cooking and a juicy outcome. The USDA recommends allowing one day of thawing in the fridge for every 5 pounds of turkey. So, if you have a 15-pound turkey, you’ll need 3 days to thaw it properly.
Thawing Tips:
- Plan Ahead: Take your turkey out of the freezer and place it in the fridge with plenty of time to thaw. If your turkey is frozen solid, it won’t cook evenly.
- Use a Tray: Place the turkey in a tray or pan while thawing to catch any liquid that might leak.
- Never Thaw on the Counter: Bacteria can grow rapidly at room temperature. Always thaw your turkey in the refrigerator.
- Bring to Room Temperature: Once the turkey is thawed, let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before roasting. This allows for even cooking.
By following these thawing steps, you’ll set yourself up for success when preparing the BEST Thanksgiving turkey.
What You Shouldn’t Do When Preparing the BEST Thanksgiving Turkey
There are some common mistakes people often make when preparing their Thanksgiving turkey that can result in dry or overcooked meat. Avoid these errors to ensure you serve the perfect turkey.
1. Don’t Wash the Turkey
Washing your turkey can spread bacteria in your kitchen, and it’s entirely unnecessary. When the turkey cooks, any harmful bacteria are destroyed by the heat. Instead, simply remove the turkey from its packaging, pat it dry with paper towels, and it’s ready to go.
2. Don’t Brine the Turkey
While brining can be helpful for certain types of poultry, it’s generally unnecessary for a high-quality turkey like Butterball. If you’ve bought a good quality bird, you can skip the brining process and still achieve a flavorful, juicy turkey. However, if you’re working with a wild turkey, brining it overnight can help keep the meat tender.
3. Don’t Baste the Turkey
Many people mistakenly think they need to baste their turkey every 30 minutes for moist meat and a golden brown skin. In reality, basting slows down the cooking process by letting the oven‘s heat escape. Instead, use an herb butter mixture to coat the turkey’s skin before roasting, which helps it brown beautifully and keeps it moist without the need for constant basting.
4. Don’t Stuff the Turkey
While stuffing a turkey may seem traditional, it often leads to uneven cooking. The stuffing can cause the turkey to cook slower than the meat, leaving you with dry turkey and overcooked stuffing. Instead, cook your stuffing separately in a casserole dish. This method ensures both the turkey and stuffing are cooked perfectly.
How to Prepare the BEST Thanksgiving Turkey
Now that you know what not to do, let’s talk about how to prepare the BEST Thanksgiving turkey. Here’s a simple, foolproof method that yields a perfectly roasted bird every time.
Ingredients:
- 1 (12-20 lb) turkey (thawed)
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 apple, quartered
- Fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage
- Salt and pepper
- Herb butter (mix 1 cup softened butter, 3 garlic cloves minced, 1 tbsp rosemary, 1 tbsp thyme, and ½ tbsp sage)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C). Position the oven rack in the center.
- Prepare the Turkey: Remove the turkey from its packaging, discarding the neck and giblets (you can save these for gravy). Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Dry skin results in crispier, golden-brown skin.
- Season the Cavity: Sprinkle salt and pepper inside the turkey’s cavity. Stuff the cavity with the quartered lemon, onion, apple, and herbs.
- Apply Herb Butter: Gently lift the skin above the breast and rub a few tablespoons of the herb butter mixture underneath. This ensures flavor is locked in from the inside out. Tie the turkey’s legs with kitchen twine.
- Roast: Place the turkey breast side up on a roasting rack or a bed of chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, and onion). Roast the turkey at 325°F for about 13-15 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast.
- Check for Doneness: Use a thermometer to check the turkey’s internal temperature. Once it reaches 165°F, remove it from the oven and cover it loosely with foil.
- Rest: Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
How to Roast the BEST Thanksgiving Turkey to Perfection
To achieve the BEST Thanksgiving turkey, perfect roasting is key. Here’s how you can ensure your turkey turns out juicy and golden brown:
Monitor the Temperature:
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 165°F. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey, typically the breast or thigh, to check for doneness.
Don’t Open the Oven Door Too Often:
Opening the oven door lets the heat escape and can lead to uneven cooking. Only check on your turkey halfway through the cooking process. If the skin is browning too fast, cover the turkey loosely with foil to prevent overcooking.
Rest the Turkey After Roasting:
Once your turkey has finished cooking, let it rest for 15-40 minutes. This allows the juices to settle, making carving easier and ensuring the turkey remains moist.
Related recipes
The BEST Thanksgiving turkey is just one part of a memorable holiday meal. To make your Thanksgiving feast complete, pair your turkey with these delicious sides:
- Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- Easy Carrot Cake
- Sausage Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
- Broccoli Casserole
- Cranberry Fluff Salad
FAQs
The only sure way to check is with a meat thermometer. Once it reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast, it’s ready to rest and carve.
Absolutely! The BEST Thanksgiving turkey recipe works just as well for smaller birds. Just adjust the cooking time based on the size of your turkey.
While it’s best to prepare your turkey the day of, you can make the herb butter mixture a day or two before and store it in the fridge. This will save you time on Thanksgiving day.
BEST Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe: Juicy, Easy, and Foolproof Turkey for the Holidays
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Description
Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, and at the heart of any Thanksgiving celebration is the BEST Thanksgiving turkey. This foolproof recipe ensures a juicy, flavorful, and perfectly roasted turkey that will be the star of your holiday feast.
Ingredients
- 1 (12-20 lb) turkey (thawed)
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 apple, quartered
- Fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage
- Salt and pepper
- Herb butter (mix 1 cup softened butter, 3 garlic cloves minced, 1 tbsp rosemary, 1 tbsp thyme, and 1/2 tbsp sage)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and position the oven rack in the center.
- Remove the turkey from its packaging, discarding the neck and giblets (save these for gravy). Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper inside the turkey’s cavity and stuff it with the quartered lemon, onion, apple, and herbs.
- Gently lift the skin above the breast and rub a few tablespoons of the herb butter mixture underneath. Tie the turkey’s legs with kitchen twine.
- Place the turkey breast side up on a roasting rack or a bed of chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, and onion). Roast the turkey at 325°F for about 13-15 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the breast.
- Use a thermometer to check the turkey’s internal temperature. Once it reaches 165°F, remove it from the oven and cover it loosely with foil.
- Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Notes
Ensure to monitor the turkey’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee a juicy and perfectly roasted bird.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes per pound
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 50g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Final thoughts
With this simple, no-fuss recipe, you can create the BEST Thanksgiving turkey for your holiday table. Forget about the stress and complicated methods—this approach guarantees a juicy, flavorful turkey with minimal effort. Whether it’s your first time cooking turkey or you’re a seasoned pro, this recipe is foolproof and will ensure your Thanksgiving meal is a hit. Enjoy a stress-free holiday, and savor the BEST Thanksgiving turkey your family and friends will love!
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