Best Roast Turkey is flavor packed, juicy on the inside with a buttery skin! Learn how to easily make a turkey with this simple recipe for Thanksgiving or any time of year!

roast turkey

 

Let’s dive right in! Everything you need to make the perfect roast turkey is in this post! I polled you guys on Instagram and you pretty much unanimously said YES you want my turkey recipe!  So, here it is and I’m detailing this post with step by steps, tips, and a couple of photo collages to ensure the best roast turkey you’ve ever had!  Be sure to serve this with our Perfect Mashed Potatoes and my favorite Stuffing Recipe and the Best Easy Turkey Gravy!  If you’re looking for the perfect green bean casserole, try out our Green Bean Casserole from Scratch and our Easy Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole!

How To Thaw a Turkey:

The best way to thaw a turkey is to plan in advance.  You are going to need to plan for 1 pound of turkey per person that you are serving.  So, purchase your turkey accordingly and then follow this timeline.  I can tell you that in my refrigerator, it took a full 5 days to thaw a 20 pound turkey.

  • 4-12 Pound Turkey: 2-3 Days
  • 12-16 Pound Turkey: 3-4 Days
  • 16-20 Pound Turkey: 4-5 Days
  • 20-25 Pound Turkey: 5-6 Days

How Long Should You Roast Turkey?

The general guideline is to cook a turkey at 15-20 minutes per pound.  This can vary depending on whether or not your turkey is stuffed, or the temperature of your oven, because they do vary.  The main thing to remember is that you will need a meat thermometer handy, and you can find these at any grocery store.  Do NOT trust the the thermometer that “pops up” in the turkey and was added by the manufacturer.   For my recipe testing, I did a 20 pound turkey and it took exactly 4 hours in my oven.  Below is a handy chart on cooking times, based on recommendations from the USDA on turkey safety.  **Turkey MUST reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consuming.

Timetables for Turkey Roasting (325°F)

Unstuffed Stuffed
8 to 12 lbs 2¾ to 3 hours 8 to 12 lbs 3 to 3½ hours
12 to 14 lbs 3 to 3¾ hours 12 to 14 lbs 3½ to 4 hours
14 to 18 lbs 3¾ to 4¼ hours 14 to 18 lbs 4 to 4¼ hours
18 to 20 lbs 4¼ to 4½ hours 18 to 20 lbs 4¼ to 4¾ hours
20 to 24 lbs 4½ to 5 hours 20 to 24 lbs 4¾ to 5¼ hours

 

How Do I Keep My Turkey Moist?

The first secret to a super moist and juicy turkey is BUTTER!  We use two and a half sticks of butter for this recipe (based on a 14-22 pound turkey).  The butter is filled with herbs, stuffed under the skin of the bird, and rubbed all over the top as well.  This keeps everything incredibly flavorful as well.  The next step is slow roasting at 325 degrees, if you cook your turkey too fast, it will be dry.  Also, cover with foil!  This does help keep a moist turkey, and it keeps the skin from getting cooked too quickly and drying out.  The other important trick is to allow your turkey to come to room temp!  One hour before cooking, you will remove the turkey from the fridge, leave in it’s packaging and allow it to sit for one hour (yes, this is perfectly safe).

roast turkey recipe on platter

How to Make Roast Turkey:

I’ve included two sets of process shots here, they are below each set of numbered steps so you can get a visual and follow along.  Before I start, I always gather my turkey, removed from the package as well as all of the herb butter and ingredients to stuff in the cavity, this makes everything go nice and fast.

  1. First things first, make your herb butter.  You’ll want your butter very soft.  It’s totally ok to even pop it in the microwave to soften, as long as it isn’t completely melted.  To the butter we add a combo of garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, thyme, rosemary, and sage.  I like to use fresh herbs, but dried are ok as well.
  2. You want to make sure to mix this very well so that the herbs are evenly distributed.  You can use a spatula, fork, or sometimes I actually find it easiest to just mix it up with my hands.
  3. Now, place your turkey on a large rimmed baking dish.  This will help collect any juices that run out.  Pat it dry!  Pat it completely dry all over, and inside the cavity using paper towels.  We pat off the excess moisture because we want to get a sear on the skin, if you don’t pat dry, you will basically be steaming your turkey and the skin will be soggy.
  4. Salt & Pepper the turkey liberally!  Yes, we will use the herb butter, but go ahead and salt and pepper the outside and inside of the turkey well.  We do this for an extra layer of seasoning because turkey doesn’t naturally have a whole lot of flavor.

photo collage how to roast a turkey

Roasting a Turkey Continued:

  1. Now, gently use your fingers to lift the skin of the turkey away from the breast meat.  I start with one hand, and then as the skin loosens, I can get both hands in there to continue separating all the way back.  Be careful and patient so that you don’t rip the skin.  As long as your turkey is thawed properly, this is a super easy and pretty quick process!
  2. Stuff in the herb butter!  You will use about 1/3 of the mixture for the inside of the cavity, so keep that reserved.  Then use half of the mix under the skin by lifting the skin up and stuffing in small handfuls.
  3. Once the butter is under the skin, use your hands to massage the butter around under the skin so that it’s as even as you can get it.
  4. Now, rub the remaining butter (besides the reserved for the cavity) all over the entire turkey, the breasts, wings, and legs.  Rub the reserved butter inside the cavity and stuff with the sliced lemon, garlic heads, quartered onion, and herbs.  This flavors the turkey from the inside out, so don’t skip it!

collage of photos how to roast turkey

 

Let The Roast Turkey Rest!

It’s good to plan ahead here as well.  Once the turkey is out of the oven, cover loosely with foil and allow it to rest for a good 20-30 minutes before slicing into it.  This is a good time to make your gravy, or throw any last minute dishes into the oven.  If you cut into your turkey right away, your turkey will be incredibly dry because all of the juices will spill out.  So, don’t skip this resting step, it’s just as important!

roast turkey on roasting pan

Extra Roast Turkey Cooking Tips:

  • The amount of butter and herbs here are for a pretty large turkey (14-22 pounds) if your turkey is much smaller, then you can cut the herb butter as well as herbs and seasonings inside of the turkey in half.
  • DO NOT add any liquid like water or broth to the bottom of your roasting pan under the rack.  This will “steam burn” your turkey.  The turkey will create its own delicious juices in the bottom of the pan.
  • There is really no need to baste your turkey.  We have added enough flavor inside and out that you shouldn’t need to do this at all.  If you absolutely want to, you can but keep in mind that when you open the oven door you lose heat, and it may take your turkey longer to reach temperature.
  • Always loosely tent/cover the turkey with foil before going in the oven.  Now, when about 20-30 minutes away from being done, you can remove the foil if you feel like your turkey isn’t getting enough color on the skin.
  • You don’t have to tie the turkey legs together.  I never do, and I find that everything cooks more evenly when I don’t. Some people like to do this because it looks attractive to the eye, and you can do so with kitchen twine if you wish.

thanksgiving roast turkey

 

Enjoy!

~Nichole

5 from 20 votes

Best Roast Turkey

Best Roast Turkey is flavor packed, juicy on the inside with a buttery skin! Learn how to easily make a turkey with this simple recipe for Thanksgiving or any time of year!
Prep 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook 5 hours
Total 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings 20

Ingredients 

  • 1 18-22 Pound Whole Turkey* See Note

FOR THE HERB BUTTER:

  • 2 1/2 Sticks 1 1/4 Cups Butter, Softened
  • 5 Cloves Garlic Minced
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Thyme, Chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Rosemary Chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Sage Chopped
  • Juice of 1/2 Lemon

FOR INSIDE THE TURKEY:

  • 1/2 Medium Lemon Sliced
  • 2 Small Heads Garlic Sliced in half horizontally (not peeled)
  • 1/2 Medium Yellow Onion, Cut in half (not peeled)
  • 4 Sprigs Thyme
  • 3 Sprigs Sage
  • 2 Sprigs Rosemary
  • Turkey Gravy For Serving, Optional

Instructions 

  • **One hour before cooking, remove the thawed turkey from the refrigerator and set on a large baking sheet to allow the turkey to come to room temperature.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Remove the turkey from its packaging. Pull the neck and giblets out from the cavity and discard (or save to make gravy/stock if preferred).
  • Using paper towels, thoroughly pat dry all sides of the turkey as well as inside the turkey cavity.
  • Lightly salt & pepper the outside and inside of the turkey to preference.
  • In a medium bowl use a fork to mash together the butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, sage and lemon juice until thoroughly combined.
  • Use your hands to rub about 1/4 of the butter mixture in the cavity of the turkey.
  • Next, gently loosen the skin from the turkey breast using your fingers, being careful not to tear the skin.
  • Use your hands to place 1/2 of the remaining butter mixture under the skin. Use your hands to gently massage the butter around.
  • Rub the remaining butter mixture over the entire turkey.
  • Stuff the cavity of the turkey with the sliced lemon, garlic heads, onion half, and sprigs of thyme, rosemary, and sage.
  • If desired, tie the legs of the turkey together with kitchen string.
  • Carefully lift the turkey and place onto a roasting rack inside of a roasting pan.
  • Cover the turkey loosely with a large sheet of non-stick foil. Place in the preheated oven and roast for about 15-20 minutes per pound of turkey.
  • About 30 minutes before the turkey will be done, remove the foil quickly and allow the turkey to keep roasting.
  • Once the turkey is ready to come out of the oven, use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey as reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
  • Remove the turkey from the oven and cover loosely with a sheet of foil. Allow the turkey to sit for 20 minutes before moving to a platter and carving.

Video

Notes

NOTE ON TURKEY SIZE:  Within the post there is a chart with turkey cooking times, please read it to find out how long to cook your turkey if it is smaller than 18-20 pounds.
NOTE ON HERBS:  I use fresh herbs, but dried are ok for the herb butter as well.  Substitute 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for 1 Tablespoon of fresh.
PLAN AHEAD:  There is a chart within the post for thawing times for a turkey.  Please read it and keep in mind it takes anywhere from 2-5 days to thaw, depending on turkey size.
PLAN FOR THE DAY OF:  The turkey will need to be removed from the refrigerator and placed on a large rimmed baking sheet (in its packaging) for one hour to come to room temperature before roasting.  Don't skip this step unless you must, it's important for a tender turkey. (This is reflected in the "prep time" listed).

Nutrition

Serving: 1Pound, Calories: 500kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Like this? Rate & review this recipe below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Hey! Nice to meet you! I'm Nichole!

Welcome to The Salty Marshmallow! I'm a mom, animal lover, photographer, & kitchen mess-maker. Here you will find the result of my decades-long passion for chasing the best flavors in the kitchen, all meant to be cooked by regular people with busy lives just like you and me.

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21 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Thanks for the heads up about sitting out for an hour. I did add some Cajun seasoning and a little bit of hot sauce to my butter mixture just because I like those flavors. Not too much but just enough to amp up that turkey a Lil bit. I also put mine in a cooking bag…..It’s truly one of the best turkeys I think I’ve ever made(and I’ve been cooking Thanksgiving dinner for a little over 22 years! OMG I’m old!!!lol)
    Great recipe and tips

  2. I’ve been making turkey for over 30 years and yesterday, I used your recipe and it was the best turkey I’ve ever made. It was so juicy and flavorful and everyone loved it! I will be making my turkey this way from now on. Thanks for sharing.

    1. You will want to use something to lift the turkey out of the pan, this allows the air to circulate and cook the turkey properly. You can slice up some onions to lift it, use a heat proof cookie rack, or make about 8-10 foil balls and place the turkey on top. Hope that helps! 🙂

    1. Hi! I haven’t tried cooking at 350, and would recommend 325 if you can. If you do 350, the turkey will be done slightly faster. We do a little bit lower temp to ensure the turkey stays moist! I tend to use salted butter. However, if you are sensitive to salt, use unsalted. 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    I just made this recipe for Thanksgiving. All 17 people raved that it was the very best, most juicy and most flavorful turkey they have ever have. I’m not kidding, there are NO leftovers. I have to do this again with a much bigger bird. Thanks for the great recipe!