A Simply Perfect Roast Turkey

Simple roast turkey just like grandma used to make. Seasoned with salt and pepper and basted with turkey stock, the flavors of the turkey really stand out. Stuff with your favorite dressing.


Holidays and Events Recipes · Thanksgiving · Turkey · Roasted


Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 45 mins
Additional Time: 20 mins
Servings: 24

Ingredients

Ingredients List

  • 1 (18 pound) whole turkey

  • 8 cups prepared stuffing

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • 1 ½ quarts turkey stock, divided


Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Place a rack in the lowest position of the oven.

  2. Remove turkey neck and giblets. Rinse turkey and pat dry with paper towels.

  3. Place turkey, breast-side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Loosely fill turkey cavity with stuffing. Rub skin with butter, then season with salt and pepper.

  4. Pour 2 cups of turkey stock into the roasting pan. Loosely tent turkey with aluminum foil.

  5. Roast turkey for 2 1/2 hours, basting with pan juices every 30 minutes. When drippings evaporate, add remaining stock to the pan, 1 to 2 cups at a time.

  6. Remove foil and continue roasting until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 165 degrees F (75 degrees C), about 1 1/2 hours more.

  7. Transfer turkey to a large serving platter. Let stand for 20 to 30 minutes before carving.

Editor's Notes:

Roasting time will depend on the size of your turkey. Learn more in our Turkey Cooking Time Guide.

Please note the exclusion of stuffing and the addition of fresh rosemary and sage when using the magazine version of this recipe.


Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition Facts
663 Calories
34g Fat
14g Carbs
72g Protein


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