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how to cook a turkey in the oven

How to Cook a Turkey in the Oven

Yum Dinner
Roasting a turkey is a quintessential part of many holiday celebrations, most notably Thanksgiving. 
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 People
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven

Ingredients
  

For the Turkey

  • 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 2-3 carrots, cut into chunks
  • 2-3 celery stalks, cut into chunks
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Optional Stuffing

  • 4 cups bread cubes
  • 1 cup onions, diced
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 1 tablespoon dried sage
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1-2 cups chicken broth (to moisten)

Instructions
 

  • Preparation: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Remove the turkey giblets and pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
  • Season the Turkey: Rub the softened butter all over the turkey, including under the skin. Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and rosemary evenly over the turkey.
  • Stuff the Turkey: If using stuffing, mix the bread cubes, onions, celery, sage, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Moisten with chicken broth until combined but not soggy. Stuff the cavity of the turkey loosely.
  • Prepare the Roasting Pan: Place the quartered onion, carrots, and celery in a roasting pan. Add the turkey on top, breast-side up. Pour chicken broth into the pan to keep the turkey moist during cooking.
  • Roast the Turkey: Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil and roast in the preheated oven. Remove the foil during the last hour to allow the skin to brown. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
  • Rest: Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat moist.
  • Carve and Serve: Carve the turkey and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy your delicious roast turkey!

Nutrition

Serving: 1PCalories: 350kcalProtein: 45gFat: 18gSodium: 300mg
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