How to Roast a Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
How to Roast a Thanksgiving Turkey
Thanksgiving Day has arrived. And, you just want to review how to roast a turkey, so it comes out of the oven perfect for the big meal. You’re up early, to put the bird in the oven for an early afternoon feast. While it is roasting in the oven, you hope to go back to bed for a little more shut-eye, before a day filled with family, friends, food, fun, and football.
Tip: Plan on 1 pound of turkey per person.
With all of your family coming over for dinner, the turkey you bought is H-U-G-E. Getting the bird from the refrigerator to the oven is a relatively easy, yet weighty task. Perhaps you should lift weights in the weeks leading to Thanksgiving Day!?
Directions for Roasting a Turkey
- If you have not yet done so, remove the turkey from its original packaging and wash it. See Washing Turkeys.
- If you plan to stuff the bird just before putting it in the oven, now is the time to do so.
- Turn the oven on and set it at 325 ° F. Place the turkey in a roasting pan, breast side up.
- Brush cooking oil on the turkey. We prefer to use a light coating cooking oil spray, on both sides of the bird.
- Do not add water. The turkey will produce its juices, the basis for a rich and flavorful gravy.
- Cover the turkey with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Crimp the aluminum foil all around the roasting pan.
- Place the turkey in the middle rack of the oven. Now, the wait is on!
- See the chart below for the approximate turkey roasting time. These are approximate times, as each oven is different, and altitude can be a factor, too.
- Basting while the turkey is cooking is optional. Some say it’s important, while others find it unnecessary. Basting will not penetrate the skin but can keep the skin from totally drying out.
- About 1/2 hour before you think it should be done, remove the aluminum foil, This allows the skin to become crisp and golden in color, creating a picture-perfect turkey.
- The turkey is done when the internal temperature is 180 -185 degrees F. Stuffing temperatures should reach a minimum temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Test for doneness, by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, without touching the bone.
- Remove from the oven about a half hour before serving.
Making a Turkey from Thawing to Leftovers
Related Articles
People who like this article will also like;
Great Recipe Resources
More About Today
Holiday Insights, where every day is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.