For more ideas on how to serve turkey at Thanksgiving, check out my posts for the Best Ever Turkey Breast Instant Pot Recipe, Stuffed Turkey Breast, and Cranberry Pecan Turkey Salad. Does the thought of cooking a whole turkey in the oven send you into near panic? That used to be me! Even after I started this blog, when the holidays would roll around I’d avoid cooking a whole turkey by letting everyone else do it for me! Then, one year, it couldn’t be avoided and so I took the leap. You know what? It’s really not so bad! This simple turkey recipe is about as easy as it gets, and it yields a perfect roasted turkey every time!
How to Cook a Whole Turkey In the Oven
Now, I admit, it looks like a lot of steps, but you have to allot for thawing time, prep work, and it does take a while to cook a big bird! Read the instructions ahead of time and you’ll be able to pull it off, no problem.
Thaw Your Turkey
If you purchased a frozen turkey, it’ll need to be thawed in the fridge in advance. Allow for one full day/24 hours in the fridge for every 5 pounds of turkey. Then, let the turkey rest out of the fridge for one hour before cooking so it can come up to room temperature.
Make the Garlic Herb Butter
Combine the butter, garlic, and herbs in a small bowl. Mash it all together with a fork and stir to combine. Then, set the butter mixture aside.
Prepare the Turkey
Cook the Turkey
Why This Recipe Works
Easy turkey recipe – Whether you are a Thanksgiving turkey cooking pro or novice, this recipe is as easy as it gets. Try it this year and you’ll never go back to your old recipe! Juicy turkey, every time – Not only does cooking it at a lower temperature with the foil tent first seal in juices, but then crisping the crust and letting it rest before carving into it – all of these steps ensure a juicy, moist turkey. Great for leftovers – I don’t know about you, but turkey leftovers are one of the best parts of cooking a Thanksgiving turkey. (And this Turkey Wild Rice Soup is one of my favorite dishes to make with leftover turkey.) Feeds a crowd – Thanksgiving usually pulls in a large crowd and this simple turkey recipe will feed them all. However, don’t worry if your Thanksgiving is more intimate this year, you can totally scale everything back for a smaller bird too.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Not sure how long to cook the turkey? A good rule to follow is to allow for about 13 minutes in the oven for every pound of turkey. Plan on about 3 hours for a 12–13-pound turkey and add (or subtract if you have a smaller turkey) another 13 minutes to your planning time for each additional pound. The roasted turkey leftover will keep in the fridge for up to about 5 days. Or you can pop it in the freezer for up to 5 months.
More Thanksgiving Recipes You’ll Love
Green Bean Casserole Best Ever Turkey Breast (Instant Pot) Candied Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Did you make this Easy Thanksgiving Turkey recipe? YAY! Please rate the recipe below!
