I changed into so enthusiastic about this juicy roast turkey recipe each step of the manner and I think you’ll experience the identical way when you attempt it. I spent several days getting to know all the satisfactory turkey recipes online, in books, and getting depended on recommendation from my Mom and also you, my readers. This gentle and delicious turkey will provoke your dinner guests.
The turkey breast is so juicy and flavorful and the skin is crisp and roasts to a stunning golden brown.
yield: 12 servings
Juicy Roast Turkey Recipe
prep time: 50 MINScook time: 2 HOURStotal time: 2 hours 50 mins
How to Make the Juiciest Roast Turkey Recipe (no prolonged marinating required)
INGREDIENTS:
- Salt & Pepper for the inside and outside of the bird
- 12 lb turkey (Anything from 11-15 lbs will work, but bake time will vary)
- Salt & Pepper for the inside and outside of the bird
For the Flavored Butter:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large garlic cloves pressed
- 2 Tbsp olive oil not extra virgin, plus more to drizzle top
- 4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice from 1 large lemon, plus 1/2 Tbsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
- 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1/2 Tbsp salt I used sea salt
For the Stuffing:
- 3 large garlic cloves pressed
- 1 large onion quartered (no peeling)
- 4 garlic cloves halved (no peeling)
- 1/2 bunch parsley
- 1 lemon quartered
What you'll need:
- Heavy duty foil
- Kitchen String
- A temperature probe to ensure a fully-cooked turkey
- A heavy roasting pan that accommodates your bird but isn't over-sized
INSTRUCTIONS:
Seasoning, Stuffing and Tying up a Turkey:
- Season inside of turkey cavity generously with about 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.
- In a medium bowl, combine: 2 sticks softened butter, 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1/2 Tbsp lemon zest, 4 Tbsp lemon juice, 3 pressed garlic cloves, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/2 Tbsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper. Mash /stir with a fork until well combined (the lemon juice doesn't easily stir into butter but keep mixing and it will happen after a few minutes). Take a whiff of it; you'll fall in love with how fresh it smells!
- Separate the skin from the turkey breast by pushing your fingers under the skin. Do this from the front and the back of the turkey; being careful not to tear the skin.
- Stuff 2/3 of the butter mixture under skin then spread the butter around by massaging over the top of the skin. This butter keeps the turkey breast tender, juicy and provides rich flavor.
- Rub remaining butter over the outside of the turkey (breast, legs, wings). Drizzle all over the top of the turkey with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper; I just love a crisp, salty skin.
- Stuff turkey with quartered onion, 4 halved garlic cloves, 1/2 bunch parsley and quartered lemon. Tie turkey base and legs together; crossing the legs to better close up the turkey cavity, plus it looks extra fancy on the table.
How to Roast a Turkey: (Pre-heat the oven to 430˚F on the bake mode. Place oven rack in the lower part of your oven (mine was on the second level from the very bottom).
- Here is a fantastic tip: to protect the turkey breast and keep it juicy: Fold a large square sheet of foil into a triangle. Rub one side of your triangle with olive oil and shape the foil (oil-side-down) over the turkey breast, then remove foil; it will shield your turkey breast and keep it from getting dry. You'll apply this shield later in the roasting process.
- Place an oven-safe meat thermometer into the bird; beneath the drum stick; deep into the dark meat. Start roasting uncovered at 430˚F for 20 min.
- Remove from oven; quickly baste with butter from the bottom of the dish. You can use a baster or tilt one side of the pan and collect drippings with a large spoon. Now apply prepared foil triangle to turkey breast area.
- Reduce oven to 350˚F and bake for another 2 hours 30 min for a 12 lb bird. (Once you have reduced the oven to 350˚F, you will bake about 13 min for every pound of turkey). The turkey thigh should register at 170˚F on the temperature probe and the breast at 160˚F to make sure it's fully cooked through then remove from the oven (keep in mind the turkey temp continues to rise slightly after it's out of the oven).
- Transfer turkey to serving platter and cover loosely but fully with foil. Let turkey rest for at least 1 hour. It will become more tender and easier to carve, the longer it sits. Keep the drippings from roasting pan for gravy. Now you can decorate around your turkey and make it festive. I used kale for my greens, then added small apples, sliced oranges and quartered lemons.
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