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Golden roast turkey garnished with lemon, cranberries, and fresh herbs on a white platter

Delicious Roast Turkey Recipe

A simple and effective method for achieving a juicy and golden roast turkey, perfect for holiday dinners.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 whole Turkey, thawed completely, giblets removed
  • 3 tbsp Kosher salt Generously applied
  • 1 tbsp Black pepper Generously applied
  • 1/2 cup Butter, softened For flavor beneath the skin
  • 1 Onion, cut into wedges For inside the cavity
  • 4 cloves Garlic, smashed For inside the cavity
  • 1 Lemon or orange, halved Optional but recommended for flavor
  • to taste Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage) Or dried if fresh is not available
  • 1 cup Chicken broth or water For the bottom of the pan
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Instructions
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels to improve browning.
  2. Season the turkey generously with salt and pepper, including inside the cavity.
  3. Loosen the skin gently over the breast and rub softened butter underneath.
  4. Stuff the cavity with onion, garlic, citrus, and herbs.
Roasting
  1. Heat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. Pour a little broth or water into the bottom of the pan.
  3. Roast uncovered for most of the time to allow the skin to brown.
  4. Tent the turkey with foil if the breast gets too dark.
  5. Use a thermometer to check for doneness; pull it from the oven when the breast reaches 165°F (74°C).
Resting
  1. Let the turkey rest for at least 20 to 30 minutes before carving.
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Notes

For the best flavor, generously season and allow time for resting. Aim for optimal cooking temperature rather than exact cooking time.