Basic Roast Turkey

Marcus Nilsson
Serves 6-8 Hands-On Time: 15m Total Time: 4hr 00m

Ingredients

  • 1 12- to 14-pound turkey, giblets removed
  • 3 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 1 stalk celery, roughly chopped
  • 2 medium yellow onions, cut into wedges
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, or olive oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 navel oranges, cut into wedges (optional)
  • 1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley or leaves from 1 bunch celery (optional)
  • kitchen string (optional)

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 425° F. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the wings underneath the body. If desired, tie the drumsticks together using kitchen string. Place the carrots, celery, and onions in a metal roasting pan. Transfer the turkey to a wire rack and place it on top of the vegetables. Drizzle the skin with the butter or oil and, using your fingers, spread it evenly. Season with the salt and pepper.
  2. Roast the turkey, uncovered, until browned, 30 to 45 minutes.
  3. Add 1 cup cold water to pan. Cover the turkey loosely with foil. Reduce oven temperature to 350° F. Roast until a thermometer inserted in a thigh registers 180° F, about 2 hours total. Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. Garnish with the orange wedges and parsley or celery leaves (if using). If making gravy, reserve the juices in the roasting pan.
By Kate Merker,  November 2006

Quick Tip

Free-range birds have a more robust turkey flavor and substantial texture than coop-raised ones. They tend to be moist but not exceptionally so.

Nutritional Information

  • Per Serving
  • Calories 544Calories From Fat 46%
  • Fat  28g
  • Sat Fat  8g
  • Cholesterol  232mg
  • Sodium  292mg
  • Carbohydrate  0g
  • Fiber  0g
  • Sugar  0g
  • Protein  68g
What does this mean? See Nutrition 101.

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