Classic Baked Turkey
Transform your holiday table centerpiece into a showstopper with this Classic Baked Turkey recipe—your ultimate guide to achieving moist, flavorful, and golden perfection. Featuring a 12-pound whole turkey seasoned with a luxurious blend of butter, garlic, herbs, and spices, this recipe ensures every bite is infused with mouthwatering flavor. The addition of fresh lemon, parsley, and aromatic vegetables enhances the turkey's taste while creating a fragrant roasting base. Carrots, celery, and onions lay the foundation for a rich pan drippings broth, adding depth and elegance to your meal. Roasted low and slow for tender meat with a crisp, golden skin, this baked turkey strikes the perfect balance between traditional and refined. Ideal for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, it’s guaranteed to delight family and guests alike. Don’t forget the generous resting period—it’s the secret to carving slices that are as juicy as they are beautiful! Perfect for gatherings, this recipe will quickly become a classic in your home.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 pounds Whole turkey
- 1 cup Unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons Salt
- 1 tablespoon Ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Dried rosemary
- 1 whole Lemon
- 1 bunch Fresh parsley
- 3 whole Carrots
- 2 whole Celery stalks
- 1 whole Yellow onion
- 2 cups Chicken broth
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
Remove the giblets from the turkey cavity and pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix together the butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and rosemary to form a seasoned butter.
Loosen the skin over the turkey breast by gently inserting your fingers between the skin and the meat. Spread half of the seasoned butter under the skin and the remaining half all over the outside of the turkey.
Cut the lemon into quarters and place it inside the turkey cavity along with the fresh parsley.
Roughly chop the carrots, celery, and onion, and spread them evenly on the bottom of a large roasting pan.
Place the turkey on top of the chopped vegetables in the roasting pan.
Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan, around the turkey, but do not pour it over the turkey.
Tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven.
Bake the turkey for approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) as measured at the thickest part of the breast and thigh.
Remove the foil during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking to allow the skin to become golden brown and crispy.
Once cooked, remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.
Serve and enjoy your perfectly baked turkey!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1271 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 72.8 g | 93% | |
| Saturated Fat | 29.6 g | 148% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 502 mg | 167% | |
| Sodium | 1970 mg | 86% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.5 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.5 g | ||
| Protein | 138.8 g | 278% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.8 mcg | 14% | |
| Calcium | 202 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 8.5 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 1833 mg | 39% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
