Perfect Roast Turkey

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Turkey - Not Just for Thanksgiving

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (52)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(52)

Cook Time:
2 hr 30 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
8 servings

Times:

Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: 20 min
Cook: 2 hr 30 min
Total:: 3 hr 20 min

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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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Comments & Reviews

recipe Perfect Roast Turkey
KANIJA los angeles, CA 04-13-2009
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Easy!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Make sure to use a meat thermometer, as mine wasn't done after the 2-1/2 hours. Otherwise, it was delicious, especially... served with Perfect Gravy!Read more
recipe Perfect Roast Turkey
katrina semmes, AL 04-12-2009
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THE BEST TURKEY EVER........
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

THIS IS THE BEST TURKEY RECIPE THAT I HAVE EVER TRIED.IT WAS SO MOIST AND JUICY.I WENT OUT AND GOT ANOTHER TURKEY THE DAY... AFTER EASTER BECAUSE EVERYONE ATE IT AND THERE WAS DONE LEFT.THANK YOU INA FOR A GREAT RECIPE........LOVE IT,LOVE IT,LOVE IT.Read more
recipe Perfect Roast Turkey
null null, null 02-14-2009
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SIMPLY THE BEST ROAST TURKEY EVER !!!!!!!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

this thanksgiving 11/2009 i made the barefoot contessa's perfect roast turkey. i had to impress my son's future family (... in-law ) not only was this the best tasting turkey i have ever made but her ingredients helped make the best tasting gravy ever! 'Ina u are the perfect chef' thanks so much the in- laws think i'm the perfect cook now.Read more
recipe Perfect Roast Turkey
rida new york, NY 12-29-2008
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AMAZINGLY EASY AND DELICIOUS
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made thanksgiving dinner for the 1st time and used this recipe for the turkey. It was so easy. No brining. No basting. NO... WORRYING! The turkey came out PERFECT- juicy and very flavorful. It'll be the staple for many thanksgivings to come. Thank you, Ina!!Read more
recipe Perfect Roast Turkey
Kimberly Herndon, VA 12-29-2008
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Thank you! Thank you!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I used this recipe for my first turkey and it came it PERFECT!!! I did everything the night before and let the turkey sit in... the fridge until the next morning. I just popped it in the oven and took it out per directions. The only thing I did differently was added some orange to the cavity and made sure to wrap the turkey up tightly in foil when I was done basting it the night before. I was so impressed as was the family!Read more
recipe Perfect Roast Turkey
Kim Middletown, PA 12-29-2008
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Thank you!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe was very easy and tasted delicious. Much better than the bland turkey I usually end up with. I used a 21 pound... turkey and should have doubled the onion, garlic, lemon, and sage that I stuffed the cavity with. This had a very good taste and made wonderful sandwiches the next day too! I baked it uncovered for the first hour and then tented it with aluminum foil until it was done. Absolutely delicous - Thank You!Read more