Best Roast Turkey Recipe

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This is the Best Roast Turkey recipe I’ve tried. You literally cannot mess it up and the turkey turns out incredibly moist and flavorful thanks to fresh herbs, onion, garlic, and a hint of lemon and loads of rich butter!

A close up of cooked Thanksgiving turkey garnished with greens

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching I thought it only fit to share my go-to roast turkey recipe. I know that roasting turkey can be intimidating and seem complicated but I promise it’s not. This is a fast, easy recipe that even the most inexperienced cooks can master at home!

A note on thawing…

The first time I cooked a Thanksgiving meal was in college. I didn’t go home for the holidays one year and had a friend who was staying at school too so I cooked for us. I had it all planned out except for one little detail, I didn’t defrost the frozen turkey I had bought far enough in advance!

And since we’re being honest, the first year I cooked for my husband I did the same thing! So first things first-I give my turkey about four days to defrost in the refrigerator. If you are buying a fresh turkey be sure to order ahead of time and pick up the day before if possible. (See this Thanksgiving planner for more tips that help you prepare!)

sliced roast thanksgiving turkey breast meat on white plate

A cooked turkey on a cutting board next to sliced turkey on a white dish

So now that we’ve covered the essential defrosting step learning how to roast a turkey is easy-peasy! Simply stuff with yummy flavorings, oil up the outside and start the cooking process breast side down to keep the meat incredibly juicy!

Ingredients

turkey-fresh or frozen and thawed
parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme lend the perfect seasoning or you can try m y favorite homemade turkey rub
lemon pairs perfectly with poultry without being overpowering
apples and onion are placed inside the cavity and steam as the bird cooks, infusing it with delicious flavor and moisture
unsalted butter adds tons of flavor and helps the skin turn a beautiful golden brown
salt & pepper to season to taste

Step by step

Allow the turkey to rest at room temperature 30-60 minutes.
After allowing it rest, remove neck, giblets, and any gravy packet that might be in the cavity. Pat the inside and outside dry with paper towels.
Combine salt and pepper and dried herbs in a bowl and rub the herb mixture inside the turkey cavity.
Add the fresh herbs, lemon, apples, and onion to the inside of the cavity to fill it up with flavor!
Brush the skin with olive oil or melted butter, then flip so the bird is resting breast side down and continue to coat with oil or butter.
Cook for one hour at 400 degrees, then another hour at 350 degrees. Remove the turkey and flip it breast side up. Return to the oven for 30 minutes or until temperature reaches 165 degrees.
After removing from oven, tent with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 45 minutes before serving. (While it rests, make the homemade turkey gravy from the drippings.)

FAQs

How long does it take to defrost a turkey?

Thaw time in the fridge requires about 24 hours for every 5 pounds in a refrigerator set at about 40° F. To thaw in cold water requires about 30 minutes per pound in cold water, refreshed every 30 minutes.

Do I need to rinse the turkey?

The FDA does not recommend rinsing the turkey: Do not rinse raw meat and poultry before cooking. Washing these foods makes it more likely for bacteria to spread to areas around the sink and countertops.

Do I need to truss the legs?

Trussing (tying the legs together) is strictly for presentation. I do not truss to allow for more air flow around the turkey breast.

Should I brine first?

This is completely optional and not at all necessary for this recipe. You will need to rinse the turkey if you brine it so if you do so, follow these safety precuations.

Why do I need to let it rest before roasting?

The resting time before preparing allows it to warm slightly and the skin to dry out prior to being prepped for roasting.

Can I stuff my turkey?

I prefer to bake my stuffing separately so that I have room for the aromatics inside the turkey cavity and it cooks more evenly when not stuffed. If you do decide to stuff it follow the FDA guidelines to ensure it cooks through and is safe to eat.

How long do I roast turkey?

Roast an unstuffed turkey at 350 degrees 13 minutes per pound, always checking the temperature at the thickest part of the thigh to ensure it cooks to 165 degrees.

Can I make this roast in a convection oven?

The cook time is faster in a convection oven, so lower the temperature to 300 and check the temperature regularly after 2 hours for a turkey under 18 pounds and 2.5 hours for one larger than 18 pounds. The convection oven may also brown the wings and drumsticks, so tent them in foil.

How big of a turkey should I buy?

Plan on at least one pound per person. This accounts for the weight of not just the meat but also the inedible parts such as bones, etc.

Can I substitute dry/fresh herbs in this recipe?

Yes! The rule of thumb is to use 3 times as much fresh as dry but the amount of herbs you use if very flexible and you can add more or less to your preference.

Why do you rest after roasting? Can I skip it?

Do not skip this step! The 45 minutes of resting time allows the juices to reabsorb into the meat. This makes carving easier and less juice will end up on your cutting board, avoiding dry meat. This also gives you time to make gravy with the drippings!

How do you carve a turkey?

The best way to learn this is to watch, I suggest this video to get a full tutorial.

Tips for best results

Roasting initially breast side down helps prevent drying of the meat.
If the skin is browning too quickly, tent with aluminum foil.
Monitor the temperature closely, it is done when a thermometer inserted into the breast reads 165 degrees. Be careful not to over-cook, if you cook much past 165 degrees it will start to dry out.
Stuffed turkeys will need to cook longer, this recipe is for an unstuffed turkey.

Easy-peasy right? I guarantee this will be the most moist roast turkey you’ve ever tried!

Ready to round out your holiday menu?

Thanksgiving Sides

Thanksgiving Desserts

If you try this recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!