Photo: Perfect Roast Turkey Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 fresh turkey (10 to 12 pounds)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large bunch fresh thyme
- 1 whole lemon, halved
- 1 Spanish onion, quartered
- 1 head garlic, halved crosswise
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the zest and juice of the lemon and 1 teaspoon of thyme leaves to the butter mixture. Set aside.
Take the giblets out of the turkey and wash the turkey inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers and pat the outside dry. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, halved lemon, quartered onion, and the garlic. Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter mixture and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the turkey.
Roast the turkey about 2 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Remove the turkey to a cutting board and cover with aluminum foil; let rest for 20 minutes.
Slice the turkey and serve.
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By SuzChef
on January 04, 2012
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I tried this recipe for a party in November 2011 and loved it so much that I used it for our own Thanksgiving feast. Even my college-girl daughters loved it and used the leftovers for sandwiches, and asked for more! I've done two full-sized turkeys since then and I used the ingredients for two roasted turkey breasts as well, just cutting down on the measures a bit. My daughter in law used the same recipe for the holidays, too, and it has become our traditional turkey. Don't be afraid of this recipe--Ina's solution is wonderfully aromatic and lets the turkey shine. The flavors don't "stick out" so that it's too garlicky or too herbal. The garlic, thyme and lemon are all complimentary flavors to the bird, and the butter just adds moistness and that wonderful brown crust! I have not had one imperfect roast out of 5, and it takes only a few very un-messy minutes to prepare!! How easy is that?
By brendapeak56
Waverly Kentucky
on January 02, 2012
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This is the Best Turkey I have ever Had It is moist and juicy and so easy to make !!! You don't have to have Turkey Just for the Holidays now Try It !!!! Also this was the first Turkey I had ever made and every one Love it !! My daughter does not like Turkey to much But she loves this. She has ask me to cook it more often. So i think i will !!!
By elizachef30
Kingwood, TX
on December 30, 2011
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I made this for Thanksgiving 2011 and it was so perfect, we didn't have leftovers. I read a tip about flipping the turkey over about 1/2 way through the cooking process and it made a huge difference.
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