Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

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Picture of Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe 1 Video | Photo: Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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Total Time:
21 hr 30 min
Prep
30 min
Inactive
16 hr 0 min
Cook
5 hr 0 min
Yield:
12 servings
Level:
Easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 whole fresh turkey or frozen turkey that has not been injected with sodium solution (I use a 20-pound turkey)
  • My Favorite Turkey Brine, recipe follows
  • 2 sticks butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest, julienned
  • Special equipment: brining bag or very large pot

Directions

Remove the turkey from its packaging and remove the bags inside that hold the neck and giblets. Rinse them and put them in a plastic bag in the fridge; you'll need them for the gravy. Rinse the turkey thoroughly with cold water. Place the turkey into a large brining bag or pot. Pour in My Favorite Turkey Brine and place in the fridge for 16 to 18 hours so the brine can work its magic.

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.

After the turkey has brined, remove it from the brining bag and rinse the turkey thoroughly again inside and out. Soak the turkey in cold water for 15 minutes, and then rinse again and pat dry.

Truss the bird or tuck the legs and wings however you like. Then place the bird, breast-side up, on a rack in a large roasting pan. Cover the whole pan, tenting the bird, with heavy-duty foil so that it's well sealed. Place in the oven and roast the turkey for about 10 minutes per pound. (So for a 20-pound turkey, roast it at 275 degrees for about 3 1/2 hours. For a 15-pound turkey, roast it for 2 1/2 hours.) Note: there will still be more cooking time after this, but it'll be at a different temperature.

When it's time to remove the turkey from the oven, mix together the butter, rosemary and orange peel strips. Remove the turkey from the oven and increase the temperature to 375 degrees F. Remove the foil and set aside. (Put stuffing in the bird if you wish at this point.) Rub the butter mixture all over the skin of the turkey, getting in the crevices. Insert a meat thermometer into the thigh, near the hip joint. Place the turkey, uncovered, back into the oven. Continue roasting the turkey, basting/brushing with the juices in the pan every 30 minutes until the thermometer registers 165 degrees F and until the juices are no longer pink. This could take another 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, depending on the size of the bird.

Remove from the oven and cover lightly with foil until you are ready to carve.

My Favorite Turkey Brine:

  • 2 gallons cold water
  • 3 cups apple cider
  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons tricolor peppercorns
  • 5 whole bay leaves
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • Peel of 3 large oranges, cut into large strips
  • 4 fresh rosemary sprigs, leaves stripped off

Combine the water, cider, brown sugar, salt, peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic, orange strips and rosemary leaves in a large pot. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve. Bring to a boil, and then turn off the heat and cover. Allow to cool completely, and then place into the fridge to chill.

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 13 reviews

  • on December 30, 2012

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    Let there be no misunderstanding; this is labor intensive. At least the brining part is, but it is worth every ounce of effort! The finished product was beautiful to look at and even more delicious to the taste. The real test? Leftovers. Passed with flying colors, right down to the last piece of breast meat. And the gravy? Lordy, what great tasting gravy! After years of failed roasted turkeys, I have found nirvana! Thank you, Pioneer Woman!

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on December 03, 2012

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    Best turkey I ever made using your marinade and baking instructions. My daughter, who doesn't like turkey, even ate a piece and liked it. Thank you so much for sharing!

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on November 28, 2012

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    I made this for Thanksgiving and OMG! is what I heard from my guests. You have to make this every year! The turkey was so moist and the flavour unbelievable. It does take a lot of work but it was well worth it!

    people found this review Helpful.
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