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A roasted turkey on a platter garnished with fresh herbs and orange slices, surrounded by additional herbs, garlic, and orange halves on a marble surface.
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Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe for Beginners

Get perfectly Roasted Turkey every time with my simple how to roast a turkey guide! Thanksgiving food coma, here we come.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Thanksgiving
Keyword How to Roast a Turkey, Roast Turkey, Roast Turkey Breast, Thanksgiving Turkey
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Thaw Time 7 hours
Total Time 10 hours 25 minutes
Servings 14 people
Calories 483kcal
Author Katie Cooksey

Ingredients

  • 14 pound turkey
  • 1/4 cup salted butter
  • Kosher salt to taste (+ pepper, if desired)

Instructions

  • Thaw your turkey according to how much it weighs. Dry with paper towels and don’t forget to pull out all the giblets and innards.
    A hand using a paper towel to pat dry a raw chicken on a white plate.
  • Preheat oven to 450° F. Once your turkey is dry, rub it with softened or melted butter. Sprinkle interior and exterior of turkey generously with salt (and pepper, if desired).
    Raw whole chicken on a plate being seasoned with salt from a small bowl.
  • Fold the wings back and under the bird (like its sunbathing) and tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Set on roasting rack in roasting pan.
  • Place your turkey into the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 350° F. My turkey was 14 pounds, so it took about 3 hours.
    A roasted turkey on a white platter garnished with fresh rosemary, sage, and orange slices, with garlic bulbs nearby.
  • Start checking for doneness when the bird is looking golden brown OR 30 minutes before it is estimated to be finished, whichever comes first.
  • Turkey is done when the breast reaches an internal temperature of 165° F.
  • Take your turkey out, tent with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes. Slice and serve.
    A roasted turkey is being carved on a platter, surrounded by fresh herbs and orange slices.

Nutrition

Calories: 483kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 70g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 241mg | Sodium: 390mg | Potassium: 721mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 282IU | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 3mg
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