The smell of roast turkey cooking in the oven is a sure sign of a special occasion. I choose not to stuff my turkey because of food safety precautions and dietary restrictions.
INGREDIENTS:
1 Turkey
1 Large onion, cut into large pieces
4 cups Chicken broth
1 – 2 tsp Salt
½ – 1 tsp Black pepper
2 -3 tsp Poultry seasoning
DIRECTIONS:
- If frozen, allow one to two days to thaw the turkey. I put my frozen turkey in a picnic cooler two days before cooking, keeping in mind that I need to keep the temperature of the turkey below 40° F. I check the turkey every 12 hours or so and turn it over in the cooler to make sure it is thawing evenly. If it thaws faster than I expect, I make room in my fridge to keep it refrigerated until I’m ready to cook it.
- Preheat oven to 400° F.
- Unwrapped thawed turkey, remove giblets from inner cavity and wash thoroughly.
- Place a heat resistant rack (such as one you put a baked pie or cake on to cool) in the bottom of a larger roaster or use a turkey roaster.
- Put turkey on top of rack.
- Tuck pieces of onion in and around turkey.
- Pour chicken broth over turkey.
- Sprinkle seasonings on top.
- Put uncovered turkey in hot oven (400° F) for 30 minutes to quickly cook the skin and seal in juices.
- Reduce oven to 325° F, cover the turkey and cook for an additional 15 minutes per pound of turkey.
- Food Safety – Turkey is done when meat thermometer inserted into the breast reads at least 180° F.
- Other signs that the turkey is done – meat should be pulling away from the bone, drumstick meat should feel soft when pressed, and leg should twist easily.
- Allow turkey to rest for about 30 minutes before carving.
- Save the bones in a freezer bag to make a broth for turkey soup.
Time Saving Tip: Cook your turkey the day before your event. Carve turkey and put meat in a baking dish (such as 9×13 glass pan). Pour juice from turkey over carved meat so there is about 1 cm or ½ inch of juice in bottom of pan. Cover with parchment paper and aluminum foil and place in refrigerator. To reheat, put in oven at 350°F 1½ hours before mealtime.
Here are some tips on putting the whole meal together. Turkey Dinner De-stressed.
Here is my recipe for the stuffing.
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