Kittencal's Perfect Roasted Whole Turkey Great for Beginners
Achieve holiday dinner success with Kittencal's Perfect Roasted Whole Turkey, a foolproof recipe designed specifically for beginners. This 12-pound turkey is elevated with a blend of softened butter, kosher salt, garlic powder, and fragrant herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to create juicy, flavorful meat and golden-crisp skin. With easy-to-follow directions, including tips for seasoning under the skin and stuffing the cavity with aromatics like lemon and onion, this recipe simplifies the art of roasting to perfection. Slow-roasted at 325°F and basted with chicken stock for added moisture, this turkey is ready to impress in just over 3 hours. Whether you're hosting a festive celebration or preparing your first Thanksgiving dinner, this recipe guarantees a tender and beautifully roasted centerpiece that will leave everyone at the table asking for seconds.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 12 pounds whole turkey
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 yellow onion, quartered
- 3 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 6 fresh sage leaves
- 2 cups chicken stock (or water)
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
Step 2
Thaw the turkey completely if frozen, and remove the neck and giblets from the cavity. Rinse the turkey under cool water inside and out and pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels.
Step 3
In a small bowl, mix softened butter, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to create a seasoned butter mixture.
Step 4
Carefully loosen the skin over the turkey breast by sliding your fingers underneath, being careful not to tear the skin. Rub half of the seasoned butter under the skin and the other half evenly over the outside of the turkey.
Step 5
Stuff the cavity of the turkey with the halved lemon, quartered onion, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and sage leaves.
Step 6
Place the turkey breast-side up in a large roasting pan fitted with a rack, and pour the chicken stock (or water) into the bottom of the pan.
Step 7
Tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning and roast in the oven.
Step 8
Roast the turkey for approximately 13-15 minutes per pound. For a 12-pound turkey, this will take about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Step 9
About 45 minutes before the cooking time is up, remove the foil to allow the skin to crisp up and become golden brown.
Step 10
The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast (without touching the bone) reads 165°F (74°C).
Step 11
Remove the turkey from the oven and tent it loosely with foil. Let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Step 12
Slice, serve, and enjoy your perfectly roasted turkey!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (6374.3g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 9235.5 |
| Total Fat 385.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 176.3g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 4326.8mg | 0% |
| Sodium 8583.0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 39.7g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 10.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 7.8g | |
| Protein 1317.3g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 837.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 65.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 13745.2mg | 0% |
Source of Calories