No Fail Roasted Turkey Recipe

Impress your guests this Thanksgiving with a juicy, tender, and visually stunning roasted turkey! This foolproof recipe, perfected over years of culinary adventures, delivers exceptional results whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro. Even your mother-in-law will be envious! This recipe includes a highly recommended brining step (12-24 hours for best results, but skippable if needed), resulting in incredibly moist and flavorful meat. Get ready for rave reviews! Serve with our complementary recipe #146456 for a complete Thanksgiving feast.

Prep Time 60 mins
Cook Time 330 mins
Calories 1277.8 kcal
Protein 234g
Rating 5.0 (6 Reviews)
No Fail Roasted Turkey 23

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for No Fail Roasted Turkey

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How to Make No Fail Roasted Turkey

  1. **Brine the Turkey (Optional but Recommended):** In a large container, combine 1 gallon water, 1/2 cup salt, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons black peppercorns, 4 bay leaves, and 2 oranges (sliced). Submerge the turkey completely, cover, and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
  2. **Preheat & Prep:** Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Remove turkey from brine (if brined), pat it completely dry with paper towels. Place an oven-safe roasting rack inside a large roasting pan.
  3. **Season the Turkey:** Generously rub the turkey skin with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Place herb sprigs (rosemary, thyme) inside the turkey cavity.
  4. **Roast the Turkey:** Place the turkey on the roasting rack. Roast for 3-4 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F (74°C). Baste the turkey with pan juices every 30 minutes.
  5. **Rest & Carve:** Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
  6. **Serve & Enjoy:** Carve the turkey and serve it with your favorite side dishes, including recipe #146456!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

512 g

Sugar

72g

Fat

116g

Carbs

19g