How to Cook a Turkey

Making a delicious turkey for the holidays is easier than you think. By following this simple step by step turkey roasting tutorial even the most novice cook will produce a tender, tasty and juicy bird sure to impress your guests!

How to Cook a Turkey

● Making a turkey can intimidate some people. For many people (my mother included), the “worst” part is sticking your hand inside the bird’s cavities. May I suggest a disposable latex (or non-latex) glove? It can help you get past the ewwwwww-factor.
● This is a basic recipe with a bit of flavor. To get a REALLY basic recipe, simply use butter (and I suggest upping that to 1/2 a cup) to coat the bird.
● Some people swear by basting every 15 to 30 minutes the last hour of cooking. I am not one of those people. However, there is nothing wrong with that.
● If you are looking for a “different” turkey recipe, check out this how to deep fry a turkey tutorial.

And turkey for dinner is on the rise! According to the National Turkey Federation – America Gobbles up Turkey! “Turkey consumption has nearly doubled over the past 25 years. In 2016, per capita turkey consumption was 16.6 pounds compared to 8.3 pounds in 1975.”

Time to make the bird…

How to Cook a Turkey Ingredients:

● 1 Turkey, 10 – 12 lbs. (defrosted or fresh)
● Salt, to taste
● Pepper, to taste
● ¼ cup Butter
● ½ tsp Poultry Seasoning
● ½ tsp Garlic Powder
● ½ tsp Onion Powder
● ½ tsp Parsley (flakes or finely chopped fresh)
● 1 cup Turkey Broth (or water)
● 1 Lemon

How to Cook a Turkey Mise en Place:

● Roasting Pan (large enough to hold your bird)
● Non-stick Spray
● Measuring Cup
● Measuring Spoons
● Bowl
● Silicone Basting Brush
● Thermometer
● Aluminum Foil

How to Cook a Turkey Directions:

● Preheat the oven to 350°F.
● Spray your roasting pan and pan-rack with non-stick spray.
● Remove neck and giblet bag from inside the turkey cavities. Reserve if making giblet gravy. Discard if not making giblet gravy.
● Wash the turkey inside and out, pat dry.
● Season the inside of the turkey with salt and pepper.
● In a small bowl, combine butter, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley. Mix well and set aside.
● Place the turkey in the roaster you will be cooking it in, breast side up.
● Pour in the turkey broth into the bottom of the pan.
● Try and tuck the turkey wings underneath the back. Sometimes they will stay and other times not. This is an attempt to prevent prevent the wings from overcooking.
● Place the whole lemon on a solid, flat surface and roll it a few times to loosen the inside. Prick with a fork or knife.
● Place the whole lemon inside turkey cavity.

● Take the flavored butter mixture and, using a silicone basting brush, spread the mixture all over the breasts and thighs.
● When the oven is heated to temperature place the turkey in the oven and let it roast for approximately 3 hours, or until a meat thermometer reads 180 degrees in the thickest part of the thigh.
● Remove the turkey from the oven.

● Being very careful, move the turkey from the roasting pan onto the serving dish and place a sheet of foil over the bird to “tent” it. This is so the cooked turkey can rest, and the juices can redistribute throughout the turkey. You can tent it for up to 20 minutes before cutting, and it will still be hot. It does continue to cook a bit while under the aluminum foil tent, so be aware of that.

● Reserve the juices at the bottom of the roasting pan to make turkey gravy.

How to Cook a Turkey
By Ann
Making a delicious turkey for the holidays is easier than you think. By following this simple step by step turkey roasting tutorial even the most novice cook will produce a tender, tasty and juicy bird sure to impress your guests!

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 3 Hours
Total Time: 3 Hours 30 Minutes

Ingredients:

● 1 Turkey, 10 – 12 lbs.(defrosted or fresh)
● Salt, to taste
● Pepper, to taste
● ¼ cup Butter
● ½ tsp Poultry Seasoning
● ½ tsp Garlic Powder
● ½ tsp Onion Powder
● ½ tsp Parsley (flakes or finely chopped fresh)
● 1 cup Turkey Broth (or water)
● 1 Lemon

Directions:

● Preheat the oven to 350°F.
● Spray your roasting pan and pan-rack with non-stick spray.
● Remove neck and giblet bag from inside the turkey cavities. Reserve if making giblet gravy. Discard if not making giblet gravy.
● Wash the turkey inside and out, pat dry.
● Season the inside of the turkey with salt and pepper.
● In a small bowl, combine butter, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley. Mix well and set aside.
● Place the turkey in the roaster you will be cooking it in, breast side up.
● Pour in the turkey broth into the bottom of the pan.
● Try and tuck the turkey wings underneath the back. Sometimes they will stay and other times not. This is an attempt to prevent the wings from overcooking.
● Place the whole lemon on a solid, flat surface and roll it a few times to loosen the inside. Prick with a fork or knife.
● Place the whole lemon inside turkey cavity.
● Take the flavored butter mixture and, using a silicone basting brush, spread the mixture all over the breasts and thighs.
● When the oven is heated to temperature place the turkey in the oven and let it roast for approximately 3 hours, or until a meat thermometer reads 180 degrees in the thickest part of the thigh.
● Remove the turkey from the oven.
● Being very careful, move the turkey from the roasting pan onto the serving dish and place a sheet of aluminum foil over the bird to “tent” it. This is so the cooked turkey can rest, and the juices can redistribute throughout the turkey. You can tent it for up to 20 minutes before cutting, and it will still be hot. It does continue to cook a bit while under the aluminum foil tent, so be aware of that.
● Reserve the juices at the bottom of the roasting pan to make turkey gravy.

Makes 8 servings Turkey

● To print the How to Cook a Turkey recipe click here.

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