Perfect Roast Turkey

Ina Garten

Recipe courtesy Barefoot Contessa Parties!,2001, All Rights Reserved

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Turkey - Not Just for Thanksgiving

Picture of Perfect Roast Turkey Recipe Photo: Perfect Roast Turkey Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
  • Rate This Recipe
  • Read 111 Reviews
Total Time:
3 hr 20 min
Prep
30 min
Inactive
20 min
Cook
2 hr 30 min
Yield:
8 servings
Level:
Intermediate
x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please limit to 20 characters

Saving Recipe

Adding Recipe

Or Do Not Add

Success

This recipe was saved to your Folder_Name folder.

x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to save this recipe to your Recipe Box!!

25 Characters Max

Enter Time:

:
:

You can create up to five timers

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.

Print Recipe

Wine Suggestion for This Recipe

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

Delicate, floral red wine

Quick Video Tips

Find easy pairings for your favorite recipes, Bobby's perfect picks and party ideas.

Wine 101: Get All the Basics

COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

    

Sign in

All fields are required.

E-mail Address:

Password:

Remember me on this computer

Signing in

Please enter your email address and we will send your password

E-mail Address

Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

Not a member?

Sign up for My Food Network to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

It's free and easy.

Review This Recipe

You must be signed in to review this recipe.

Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 111 reviews

  • on January 04, 2012

    Flag

    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?

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on January 02, 2012

    Flag

    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 !!!

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on December 30, 2011

    Flag

    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.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No

Next Recipe

Perfect Roast Turkey

Perfect Roast Turkey

By: Ina Garten
Rated 5 stars out of 5
Advertisement

Free Recipe of the Day Newsletter

Let Food Network chefs plan what's for dinner, with quick and easy recipes delivered to your inbox daily.

Ads by Google