How to Cook a Turkey

6 Reviews
  • Prep: 30 min
  • Cook: 3 hr
  • Ready In: 3 hr 45 min

“The biggest myth in all of American cookery is that a juicy, perfectly cooked turkey is difficult for the novice cook to achieve. Even if this is your first time, don't play scared, this will work! There is nothing to fear but the fear of dry turkey itself.” - by Chef John

Ingredients

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Adjust Servings

Original recipe yields 1 whole turkey

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  2. Place onion, celery, and carrot in a large, shallow roasting pan.
  3. Place turkey, breast side up, on top of the vegetables in the roasting pan. Pat the outside and inside of the turkey dry with paper towels.
  4. Combine salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Season the inside of the turkey with about 1/3 of the salt mixture. Fold wing tips under the bird.
  5. Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat until the edges begin to turn golden, about 2 minutes. Cook and stir rosemary and sage for 1 minute.
  6. Place rosemary and sage inside the cavity of the turkey; reserve melted butter. Tie the legs together with twine.
  7. Brush outside of the turkey completely with the melted butter. Season with remaining 2/3 of the salt mixture.
  8. Bake turkey, uncovered, in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 3 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove the turkey from the oven and allow to rest in a warm area 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition

Amount Per Serving (24 total)

  • Calories
  • 355 cal
  • 18%
  • Fat
  • 17.2 g
  • 26%
  • Carbs
  • 1.5 g
  • < 1%
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Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

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Reviews (6)

Rate This Recipe
sillysally
3

sillysally

"Thank You, Thank you, thank you!!! This is an excellent recipe!! Simple, but simply perfection!! The bird is so moist, and no fuss with brining!!..." See more"

TopherDaniel
1

TopherDaniel

"This was my first year cooking a turkey from scratch. The recipe is flexible but the technique that he explains in the video made this year a complete 100% success! Thanks Chef John!..." See more"

sweetstuff
0

sweetstuff

"I recommend this recipe to anyone who wants an easy, delicious bird. This recipe turned out great for me... I followed it exactly...." See more"

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