Description
Indulge in the festive spirit with this Best Roast Turkey recipe, featuring a golden-brown exterior and succulent meat that will impress your guests. This foolproof method ensures juicy, flavorful turkey every time, making it the undeniable centerpiece of any gathering. With a harmonious blend of savory herbs and a sweet brine, your turkey will shine at Thanksgiving or any family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole turkey (12–14 pounds), thawed
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 3 sprigs fresh sage
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
- Prepare the Brine: In a large pot, mix 1 gallon of water with kosher salt and brown sugar. Heat until dissolved, then cool completely.
- Brine the Turkey: Submerge the turkey in cooled brine for at least 12 hours in a cooler or large container with ice.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Prepare Turkey: Remove from brine and pat dry. Stuff the cavity with onion, garlic, and herbs.
- Season and Baste: Rub softened butter all over the turkey and season generously with black pepper and additional salt.
- Roast: Place on a roasting rack in a pan and roast until internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (75°C), about 13 minutes per pound.
- Rest Before Carving: Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving to retain juices.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz (113g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 90mg