Roast Turkey
Servings: 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 8- 10 pound turkey giblets and neck removed, cavity emptied, and turkey patted dry
- 8 garlic cloves peeled and whole
- ½ cup unsalted butter divided (2 tablespoons cut into 4 pieces, the rest melted for basting)
- 1 teaspoon salt optional to help crisp the skin
- ½ teaspoon pepper optional to season the skin
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F, and place foil in the bottom of a large roasting pan.
- Remove the turkey from the packaging, and ensure all packets (gravy, giblets, instructions, etc.) have been removed from the inner cavity. Then, use paper towels to pat it dry inside and out. Make sure the outside is very dry. Transfer the turkey to the prepared roasting pan.8- 10 pound turkey
- Loosen the skin around the turkey breasts, and carefully place the cloves of garlic under the skin. Move the garlic past the turkey breast to the wing, leg, and thigh area.8 garlic cloves
- Next, add the butter under the skin. Place 2 half tablespoons over each breast and melt the rest for basting.½ cup unsalted butter
- Optional: Salt and pepper the top skin over the entire turkey.1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Cover the turkey with foil, and bake for 20-25 minutes per pound.
- During the last 30 to 45 minutes, remove the foil. If the skin looks like it’s beginning to dry, slowly pour melted butter over the turkey. Repeat as needed to keep the skin moist and flavorful.
- Remove the turkey from the oven, and allow it to rest for 20 minutes before carving.
- See post for storage options.
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of approximately a cup depending on the size of the turkey and what type of meat is consumed. Actual calories will vary.
Nutrition Facts
Roast Turkey
Serving Size
1 cup
Amount per Serving
Calories
617
% Daily Value*
Fat
32
g
49
%
Saturated Fat
13
g
65
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
10
g
Cholesterol
291
mg
97
%
Sodium
788
mg
33
%
Potassium
829
mg
24
%
Carbohydrates
1
g
0
%
Fiber
0.1
g
0
%
Sugar
0.3
g
0
%
Protein
79
g
158
%
Vitamin A
558
IU
11
%
Vitamin C
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
49
mg
5
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
