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roasted turkey in roasting pan
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Perfect Roast Turkey

Get perfectly Roasted Turkey every time with my simple how to roast a turkey guide! Thanksgiving food coma, here we come.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Thanksgiving
Keyword How to Roast a Turkey, Roast Turkey, Roast Turkey Breast, Thanksgiving Turkey
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Thaw Time 7 hours
Total Time 10 hours 25 minutes
Servings 14 people
Calories 483kcal
Author Lauren's Latest

Ingredients

  • 14 pound turkey
  • 1/4 cup salted butter
  • Kosher salt to taste (+ pepper, if desired)

Instructions

  • Thaw your turkey according to how much it weighs. Dry with paper towels and don’t forget to pull out all the giblets and innards.
  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Once your turkey is dry, rub it with softened or melted butter. Sprinkle interior and exterior of turkey generously with salt (and pepper, if desired). Fold the wings back and under the bird (like its sunbathing) and tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Set on roasting rack in roasting pan.
  • Place your turkey into the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 350 degrees. My turkey was 14 pounds, so it took about 3 hours. Start checking for doneness when the bird is looking golden brown OR 30 minutes before it is estimated to be finished, whichever comes first.
  • Turkey is done when the breast reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees F and the thigh is 175 degrees F.
  • Take your turkey out, tent with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes. Slice and serve. (I recommend making this Amazing Turkey Gravy as a great accompaniment.)

Nutrition

Calories: 483kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 70g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 241mg | Sodium: 390mg | Potassium: 721mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 282IU | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 3mg