Name: The Best Oven Roasted Turkey Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 205 min
Ingredients: 12-20 lb turkey; Turkey brine; Herb butter rub

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This is the best oven roasted turkey recipe. Baked to perfection, it’s juicy on the inside, and crispy on the outside. This easy recipe is everything you need for a flawless Thanksgiving dinner.

Roasted turkey with crispy skin on a wooden cutting board.

In my mind, a whole turkey roasting in the oven just screams holiday season. It’s the basis for all of our family get-togethers and large gatherings, because this turkey is always delicious and feeds a crowd!

Ever since I moved away from home to attend university, I have been the “turkey roaster” of the group. I remember my four roommates and I all trying to figure out how to cook our first turkey in the oven, with absolutely no clue what we were doing. Cooking a whole turkey for the first time was intimidating!

A phone call home to Mom was definitely required! I couldn’t exactly Google a how-to in those days. But somehow we survived.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

In the end, we came up with a simple dinner that must have been pretty edible, because no one complained. We had the easiest side dishes, too. Just garlic mashed potatoes and cooked carrots. You can’t go wrong!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This oven roasted turkey is hands down the best turkey you’ll ever make. It’s all about the herbed butter, which seeps into every bite of the bird, creating the most flavorful meat ever. Plus, using a wet brine ensures your turkey stays juicy. This recipe is easy, flavorful, and guaranteed to impress!

Fast forward to today, and I’ve got this roasted turkey recipe down to a science. Whether it’s for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or just a regular weekend, this recipe will give you the most tender turkey, with crispy skin and amazing flavor every single time.

Roasted turkey with crispy skin being cut on a wooden cutting board.

I have learned a lot since my university days and can say with confidence that we are now turkey aficionados. For Thanksgiving dinner, our go-to cooking method is this garbage can turkey, at Christmas, we always have a turkey roast, and for Easter, we often cook a smoked turkey.

Here’s what you need to get started with cooking the best roast turkey!

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Supplies

Oven roaster – We like this large rectangular one because it fits any size of bird.
Turkey lifter – This tool is a must. It makes lifting the turkey out of the roaster easy!
Meat thermometer – We love this new Meater thermometer. It connects to an app that tells you exactly when your turkey is done! This would have been super helpful twenty years ago!
Paper towels – For patting the turkey dry.
Aluminum foil – Or a lid for covering the turkey if the skin starts to get too crispy.
Sharp knife – For cutting the bird.
Cutting board – For serving the turkey.

Roast Turkey Process of a raw turkey in a black oven roaster.

Ingredients

Turkey – The star of the show. Pick the size of turkey that fits your crowd!
Turkey brine recipe – Brining the turkey before roasting makes for the most tender and juicy bird! This step can be skipped, but we don’t recommend it.
Herb & butter rub recipe – A mix of melted butter, fresh herbs, and a little love for crispy skin perfection. You could also use 4 Tbsp of butter and 1 Tbsp of your favorite poultry seasoning instead.

Raw turkey covered in brine in a large, clear roasting bag.

Instructions

1. Defrost the frozen turkey – this can take up to one week in the fridge.

To speed up the process, you can place the bird in a sink full of cold water. Be sure to cover the turkey completely and refresh the water every 30 minutes. A good rule of thumb for thaw time in cold water is about 30 minutes per pound, with the water refreshed every 30 minutes.

2. Remove the turkey neck and bag of giblets from the turkey cavity. These can be cooked separately and added to stuffing or simply thrown out.

3. The best way to cook a moist turkey is by using this wet brine recipe. We allow our turkey to brine for at least 8 hours and it makes for juicy turkeys every time!

4. Drain and pat the turkey dry with paper towels.

Raw turkey covered in herb butter rub in a roaster.

5. Coat the entire turkey with the herb butter mixture. We like to use this simple herb butter recipe. It gives the turkey breast the most delicious, crispy skin.

Raw turkey covered in a herb and butter rub in a roasting pan.

6. Place a roasting rack in a large oven roaster, then put the turkey in breast side up.

7. Roast at 325 degrees F for about 15 minutes per pound. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the bird. Cook time for a 12-pound turkey would be about 3 hours.

8. Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165 degrees F before removing it from the oven.

9. Let the turkey rest for 10 minutes before transferring it to a cutting board for carving.

Make a note of these roasting times so that you can be prepared. Times are different for an unstuffed and stuffed turkey.

How Long Do You Roast a Turkey?

These are the guidelines according to the USDA.

Unstuffed at 325 degrees F for 15 minutes per pound.
Unstuffed at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound.
Stuffed at 325 degrees F for 17 minutes per pound.
Stuffed at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes per pound.
When in doubt, check the internal temperature with a probe thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast. It should reach 165 degrees F.

Tips and Tricks

Before preheating the oven, make sure your turkey will fit comfortably. Remove the top oven rack to give the oven roaster more room.
Use aluminum foil to tent over the top of the turkey if the skin of the bird is browning too quickly.
Save the pan drippings to make the best turkey gravy.
Use the turkey carcass and leftovers to create a turkey stock.
My mom taught me to use a turkey baster to baste the turkey with drippings from the bottom of the pan throughout the cook. Try this method!
Use a sharp knife for smooth and easy carving.

Roasting an entire turkey is the easiest way to feed a crowd during the holidays! We like to serve our bird with herb and garlic mashed potatoes, cooked carrots, and fresh dinner rolls.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you cook a turkey?
At 325 degrees F, it’s 15 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey and 17 minutes per pound for a stuffed one.

Should I cover my turkey while it’s roasting?
If the top of the skin is browning too quickly, lightly tent with aluminum foil.

What’s the best way to store leftover turkey?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for later.

What’s the best way to check if my turkey is done?
Use an oven-safe meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the breast and thickest part of the thigh; both should reach 165 degrees F.

Can I cook a turkey the day before Thanksgiving?
Absolutely! Just reheat it with some chicken broth to keep it moist.

More Turkey Recipes

Do you have leftover turkey? Make these turkey and cranberry sliders. This easy recipe makes the most delicious turkey sliders that you’ve ever had!
This is the best turkey gravy recipe – full of tips and tricks from years of making homemade gravy!
Looking for a low-carb alternative to your standard stuffing? Try this delicious keto-friendly stove top stuffing recipe!
My mom always makes the best side dishes for Thanksgiving dinner! Try her classic yams recipe this year.
This cranberry salsa recipe is a family favorite and makes the perfect appetizer!

This roasted turkey recipe is your go-to for a perfect Thanksgiving turkey that’s juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. Pair it with turkey gravy, your favorite side dishes, and maybe an extra day of stretchy pants. Happy roasting!

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