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Thanksgiving Turkey on a platter

Grandma's Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

Even beginners can make this oven-roasted turkey for Thanksgiving without any problems! A simple spice rub and some aromatics creates a flavorful roast turkey that everyone will love!
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Course: Turkey
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Calorie
Keyword: main dish, meat, turkey
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Resting Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours
Servings: 16
Calories: 320kcal
Cost: $25.00

Equipment

  • 1 large roasting pan
  • 1 large carving knife
  • kitchen twine
  • aluminum foil
  • 1 meat thermomenter
  • 1 large serving platter
  • paper towel

Ingredients 

  • 1 16 pound turkey
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup softened butter or margarine
  • 3 rosemary sprigs
  • ¼ cup thyme
  • ¼ cup sage

Instructions

  • First make sure to preheat the oven to about 325 degrees
  • Remove the giblets and neck
  • Now you want to wash the turkey inside and outside, and pat the outside of the turkey dry with some paper towel.
  • Season the cavity or inside with salt and pepper.
  • Fill the cavity of the turkey with half of the herbs
  • Rub the butter all over the turkey, including under the skin of the turkey. Then season with some salt and pepper.
  • Now, place the turkey breast side up in the roasting pan. Also tuck the wings underneath the turkey, and tie the end of the legs together with the ktchen twine.
    raw thanksgiving tuckey going into the oven
  • This is when you can place the turkey into the oven, and let it roast for about 15 minutes per pound. (So a larger turkey will require additional cooking time).
  • Don't forget to check the turkey several times during cooking, to be sure the skin is not getting to brown. If it is then you can loosely cover the turkey with the aluminum foil.
  • Check the turkey for doneness, by inserting the thermomenter into the thickest part of the turkey breast and thigh. The turkey should register about 165 degrees farenheit.
  • Then cover the turkey with aluminum foil and let it stand for about 15 minutes before carving it. This allows the juices to redistribute and not escape when it is carved.

Notes

Cooking and storage Tips: 
Adjust roasting time to the size of your turkey. Estimate 15 minutes of cooking, per pound of turkey.
Check the turkey throughout the cook time, to be sure it’s not cooking or browning too quickly. 
Place the meat in airtight containers or resealable bags. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Grandma's Easy Thanksgiving Turkey
Serving Size
 
1 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
320
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
10
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
 
6
g
38
%
Trans Fat
 
0.3
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Cholesterol
 
159
mg
53
%
Sodium
 
265
mg
12
%
Potassium
 
621
mg
18
%
Carbohydrates
 
7
g
2
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
56
g
112
%
Vitamin A
 
380
IU
8
%
Vitamin C
 
10
mg
12
%
Calcium
 
59
mg
6
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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