Juicy Crispy Roast Turkey Guaranteed Easy Recipe

   

Step 1: Fresh Or Frozen Turkey And Prep

  First things first, we use a fresh 15-20 lb turkey. This recipe will also work well for a frozen turkey. If this is your first time, remember to let the turkey thaw in the refrigerator. A good rule of thumb is to thaw at least 24 hours for every pound of turkey for a frozen turkey. So, a 15 lb size turkey will take four or five days to soften completely. Also, remember to never wash a turkey, it’s not necessary and unsafe. This is the recommendation from the FDA as well as Butterball. When preparing the roasted turkey, take a moment to check and empty the turkey cavity, which may contain a bag of giblets, and the neck, sometimes found at the rear end of the turkey. You may opt to cook these and make fresh turkey gravy. Unwrap the turkey over the kitchen sink, placing the turkey in a large roasting pan with the turkey breast facing up. Use paper towels to pat the whole turkey dry with paper towels and then dispose of the paper towels in the garbage. Now, make sure to sanitize the sink and wash your hands well. Lastly, remember to sanitize the sink and wash your hands diligently for proper food handling and hygiene.  

 

Step 2: Roasting Time: Proper Temperature For The Perfect Turkey

  The time to roast a turkey can vary based on its size and the initial temperature of the turkey before entering the oven. Take the whole turkey out of the refrigerator for one hour to come to room temperature. This ensures the best results for a juicy turkey and golden brown skin. For our 16 pound turkey, we recommend roasting at 350 degrees f for approximately three and a half hours. We roast our whole turkey at 350 degrees f for three and a half hours. To ensure extra crispy skin and a juicy turkey, raise the oven temperature to 425 degrees f for the last half hour of roasting. To ensure your turkey is thoroughly cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. The thickest part of the thigh should reach 180 degrees, indicating that your turkey is perfectly cooked and ready to be enjoyed.  

 

 

Step 3: Preparing The Butter Mixture In A Small Bowl

To make the herb butter, take two tablespoons of room temperature unsalted butter or salted butter and one sprig of roughly chopped fresh sage. You can usually find fresh sage in small plastic containers in the produce aisle. Place the soft butter and the sage in a small bowl, and mix them together until well combined. Once blended, wrap the herb butter with plastic wrap or an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for later use. This flavorful herb butter will be the secret to achieving a juicy turkey and a moist turkey breast.  

 

 

Step 4: Best Results: Prep The Whole Bird

  Doing this step has given me the best results for a moist and golden brown turkey every time. Next step, sprinkle the whole bird liberally with kosher salt and black pepper. Also, make sure to salt and pepper inside the cavity. Put the turkey back in the refrigerator overnight. This will remove the moisture from the skin and ensure a juicy roast turkey with great skin. This is the best way to save time when hosting the big day. This crucial step has consistently given the best results for a moist and golden brown turkey.  

Step 5: Roasting Rack: Bottom Of The Roasting Pan

  Start by preheating your oven temperature to 350 degrees f. Begin preparing the turkey by filling the cavity of the turkey with fresh herbs like sage, thyme, and a sprig of rosemary.  I opt for fresh thyme. The best way to guarantee a juicy turkey with crispier skin is to allow the whole turkey to warm and come to room temperature for one hour. Meanwhile, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of melted butter in a small bowl. Carefully create a small opening between the turkey breast meat and the skin using a knife. Slide the sage butter mixture under the skin, as mentioned earlier, to infuse the breast meat with flavor and achieve a juicy turkey. Now, using a pastry brush or your hands, coat the entire outside of the turkey with the oil and butter mixture. As I mentioned above, ensure that you cover the entire outside of the turkey. During the last 30 minutes of roasting, increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees f for that perfect finishing touch. Don’t forget to generously apply the mixture to the top of the turkey breast as well, as it helps retain moisture throughout the roasting process. Following these steps will lead to a turkey that’s not only moist and tender but also delicious crispy skin.  

Step 6: Chicken Broth At The Bottom of The Pan

We add chicken stock or chicken broth to the bottom of the roasting pan with a little bit of sweet white wine. This adds even more moisture to the whole turkey. A roasting pan should never get dry or it can ruin the pan so keep this in mind during the cooking time. Adding chicken stock or chicken broth with a bit of sweet white wine (Reisling) will enhance the moisture level of the whole turkey and make it that more flavorful.

 

Step 7: Pan Drippings And Gravy

Now I’m going to share a secret, I don’t make my turkey gravy. Honestly, this is where I take an easy shortcut and it gives me the time to enjoy this perfect turkey dinner with loved ones. I purchased a Williams Sonoma turkey gravy base. It tastes amazing and milk is all that’s needed as well as turkey drippings for extra flavor. Simmer and it makes this turkey gravy the perfect addition. As I’m simmering the turkey gravy, I get out the cutting board and get my side dishes hot and ready to serve. During this, also make sure the turkey rests for a minimum of 15 minutes. The very last thing I do is take out the casserole dish filled with cranberry sauce and we have the perfect Thanksgiving turkey with our family!