Simple Roast Turkey Recipe

Name: Simple Roast Turkey
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 turkey(10 to 12 pounds); 2 tbl Coarse kosher salt; 1 tablespoon black pepper; 1 lemon, zested and quartered; 1 bunch fresh thyme or rosemary; 1 bunch fresh sage; 12 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled; 1 bottle hard apple cider (12 ounces); Dry white wine, as needed; 2 onions, peeled and quartered; 3 bay leaves; Olive oil or melted butter, as needed; 13 - 15 lb turkey; 2 1/2 tbl salt; 1 tbl + 3/4 tsp pepper; 7 garlic cloves; zest of 1 1/2 lemons; 1 large bunch of mixed herbs; cooking time 2-3 hours; 16-18 lb turkey; 3 tbl salt; 1 1/2 tbl pepper; 9 garlic cloves; zest of 2 lemons; 1 1/2 large bunch of mixed herbs; cooking time 3 - 3 3/4 hours; 19-21 lb turkey; 3 1/2 tbl salt; 1 tbl + 2 1/4 tsp pepper; 11 garlic cloves

Servings: persons

1 turkey(10 to 12 pounds)
2 tbl Coarse kosher salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 lemon, zested and quartered
1 bunch fresh thyme or rosemary
1 bunch fresh sage
12 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1 bottle hard apple cider (12 ounces)
Dry white wine, as needed
2 onions, peeled and quartered
3 bay leaves
Olive oil or melted butter, as needed
13 - 15 lb turkey
2 1/2 tbl salt
1 tbl + 3/4 tsp pepper
7 garlic cloves
zest of 1 1/2 lemons
1 large bunch of mixed herbs
cooking time 2-3 hours
16-18 lb turkey
3 tbl salt
1 1/2 tbl pepper
9 garlic cloves
zest of 2 lemons
1 1/2 large bunch of mixed herbs
cooking time 3 - 3 3/4 hours
19-21 lb turkey
3 1/2 tbl salt
1 tbl + 2 1/4 tsp pepper
11 garlic cloves
zest of 2 1/2 lemons
2 large bunch of mixed herbs
cooking time 3 1/2 - 4 hours
22-24 lb turkey
4 tbl salt
2 tbl pepper
13 garlic cloves
zest of 3 lemons
2 1/2 large bunch of mixed herbs
cooking time 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 hours

1
Remove any giblets from the cavity and reserve for stock or gravy. Pat turkey and turkey neck dry with paper towel; rub turkey all over with 1/2 teaspoon salt per pound of turkey, the pepper and the lemon zest, including the neck. Transfer to a 2-gallon (or larger) resealable plastic bag. Tuck herbs and 6 garlic cloves inside bag. Seal and refrigerate on a small rimmed baking sheet (or wrapped in another bag) for at least 1 day and up to 3 days, turning the bird over every day (or after 12 hours if brining for only 1 day).
2
Remove turkey from bag and pat dry with paper towels. Place turkey, uncovered, back on the baking sheet. Return to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours to dry out the skin (this helps crisp it).
3
When you are ready to cook the turkey, remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for one hour.
4
Heat oven to 450 degrees. In the bottom of a large roasting pan, add the cider and enough wine to fill the pan to a 1/4-inch depth. Add half the onions, the remaining 6 garlic cloves and the bay leaves. Stuff remaining onions and the lemon quarters into the turkey cavity. Brush turkey skin generously with oil or melted butter.
5
Place turkey, breast side up, on a roasting rack set inside the roasting pan. Transfer pan to oven and roast 30 minutes. Cover breast with aluminum foil. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a thigh reaches 165 degrees, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours more. Transfer turkey to a cutting board to rest for 30 minutes before carving.

5409

kcal

Calories

126

Fat

453

Carbs

596

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

No additional tips available.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

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This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 40 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 turkey(10 to 12 pounds), 2 tbl Coarse kosher salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, 1 lemon, zested and quartered, and more.

Yes, Simple Roast Turkey falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Simple Roast Turkey

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