Sharing is caring!

Impress friends and family with this absolutely delicious and juicy Roast Turkey. This recipe takes savory herbs, combines them with butter to cover the entire turkey. It’s then slow-roasted to perfection to make your Thanksgiving a huge success.

Thanksgiving is at the top of my list for holidays because it’s all about food, family, and giving thanks. I just can’t wait to start whipping up the Sweet Potato Casserole, Candied Yams, Green Bean Casserole, Baked Mac and Cheese, and Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls.

Of course, who can forget the main star of the show? The Thanksgiving Roast Turkey. This is perhaps the most stressful of all dishes because it has to be perfect. No one wants a dry turkey slapped down in the middle of the table. However, this turkey recipe is super easy and results in one delicious roast every time. The perfect crispy skin on the outside, with flavorful juicy meat on the inside.

 Top Tips For The Perfect Juicy Roast Turkey

• Thawing a frozen turkey – Don’t ever try to force thaw your turkey as it will result in partially cooked, partially frozen meat. The best way to thaw your turkey is to have it in a large bowl or dish in the fridge for a few days prior to cooking it. The rule of thumb is usually 1 day per 5 pounds of turkey. So, if you have a 20-pound turkey, you’ll need to let it thaw for about 4 days before cooking it.
• Use a meat thermometer – A meat thermometer is your best friend when cooking large portions of meat like this. Before removing your turkey from the oven, insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the turkey thigh. If it has reached at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re good to go.
• Use other seasonings – If you prefer other herbs or want to mix up the seasonings, there’s no problem with that. Just be sure to use salt, pepper, and garlic to get a good boost in flavor. Some delicious seasoning ideas might be cajun seasoning, Italian, Greek, chipotle seasoning, etc.
• Use other ingredients to stuff the cavity – If you prefer other ingredients such as carrots, celery, apples, etc. in the cavity of your turkey, go right ahead. You definitely don’t have to stick with the ingredients I used. However, you’ll definitely want to stuff it to give it a boost of flavor.

How Long Does it Take to Roast a Turkey?

The time it takes to fully roast a turkey will vary based on size. You don’t want to turn up the heat, because this will only cook some parts of the turkey too much, while not cooking other parts at all. The best way to cook a turkey is at a lower temperature, around 325 degrees. Take the weight of the turkey and times it by 15. This will be how many minutes you should roast or cook the turkey for. 15 minutes per pound is a good rule of thumb. Always be sure to check if the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit before removing from the oven.

How Much Turkey Per Person?

1 -1 1/2 lbs per person will be a very generous serving. A 15 lb turkey will serve about 10 people generously.

Let’s Talk About Stuffing and Gravy…

To make turkey gravy, remove the liquid from the pan juices, and follow your favorite recipe. As for the stuffing, this maple sausage stuffing is my favorite!

 

Storage

• Fridge – Store in a sealed container or covered for up to 4 days.
• Freezer – Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. I suggest reducing the turkey to slices rather than whole, for freezing after it’s cooked.
• Reheating – Reheat using the air fryer, oven, or microwave.

 

What to Serve this with?

The possibilities are endless, however, creamy mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes are excellent sides!

If you enjoyed this juicy roast turkey then you will also enjoy these honey baked turkey wings. These instant pot smothered turkey wings are another favorite!  You can also find other delicious recipes and cooking tutorial videos on Youtube and Facebook.