THIS IS IT! The best Thanksgiving Turkey recipe. I’ve been roasting turkey for more than 15 years. This post brings together the best things I’ve learned about cooking a turkey in the oven so that it’s juicy, flavorful, and the star of your feast. It’s 100% doable and easier than you think!.
Cooking a perfect young turkey may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be with the right techniques. With some preparation and care, you can have a beautifully browned, moist and flavorful turkey ready to serve as the centerpiece of your next festive meal. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you cook a succulent and delicious young turkey.
Choosing and Preparing the Young Turkey
When selecting a turkey at the store, look for one that is about 8-12 pounds in size. This smaller turkey will cook up extra tender and juicy compared to a larger bird. Allow around 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per person, depending on how many sides you plan to serve.
For a frozen turkey, make sure to thaw it thoroughly in the refrigerator for 24 hours per 5 pounds. So a 10 pound turkey would need about 2 days to thaw For fresh turkeys, store in the fridge for no more than 4-5 days before cooking
When ready to cook, remove the giblets and neck from the inner cavities of the turkey and discard or reserve them for gravy Rinse the turkey under cold water, inside and out. Pat the turkey completely dry with paper towels This helps ensure crisp, browned skin.
Seasoning the Turkey
Seasoning is key for flavorful turkey meat. Try rubbing an herb butter under and on top of the skin before roasting. To make it, combine 1 cup softened butter with minced garlic, salt, pepper, chopped rosemary, thyme and sage.
Gently loosen the skin from the breast meat and smooth a few tablespoons of the herb butter underneath. Spread the remaining seasoned butter all over the turkey skin.
You can also place quartered lemons, onions, apples, carrots and fresh herbs inside the cavity for extra moisture and flavor. Tie the legs together with twine to help the turkey cook evenly.
Cooking Methods for Young Turkey
Roasting is a classic technique for cooking turkey. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the turkey breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Cook for approximately 15 minutes per pound, until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer.
Tent foil loosely over the breast halfway through roasting to prevent overcooking. Basting is not necessary.
Grilling turkey gives great smoky flavor. Preheat a grill to medium heat. Put turkey in a disposable foil pan and grill over indirect heat, covered, for about 15 minutes per pound until 165°F.
Smoking uses low indirect heat (225-250°F) and longer cooking times, generally 4+ hours for a 10-12 lb turkey.
Carving and Serving the Turkey
Once cooked, let the turkey rest for at least 15-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute so the meat stays moist and tender.
Use a sharp knife to remove each piece – first the legs, then the wings, and finally the breast meat. Slice the breast meat against the grain into thin slices.
Arrange the carved turkey on a platter alongside your favorite holiday sides like homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
Avoid Common Turkey Cooking Mistakes
Cooking turkey can go wrong in some predictable ways, but avoiding these common mistakes will help ensure success:
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Not using a meat thermometer – The only way to accurately check doneness. Cook to 165°F.
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Overcooking – Stick to the recommended cook times per pound to prevent drying out.
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Rushing the thaw – Thaw thoroughly in the fridge 1 day per 5 lbs.
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Forgetting to remove giblets – Check inner cavities before seasoning and cooking.
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Constant basting – Contrary to popular belief, this causes moisture loss.
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No resting time – Letting the turkey rest allows juices to redistribute.
Tips for Extra Juicy and Flavorful Young Turkey
Here are some tips for getting the very best results when you cook a young turkey:
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Brine the turkey in a saltwater solution for up to 12 hours before roasting. This adds moisture and flavor.
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Cook stuffing separately to prevent undercooked filling.
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Rub butter or oil under and on top of the skin to keep it from drying out.
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Tent foil over the breast halfway through roasting to prevent overcooking.
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Let turkey rest 30+ minutes after cooking for incredibly juicy meat.
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Make gravy with the flavorful pan drippings.
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Store leftovers properly within 2 hours of cooking and use within 3-4 days.
Get Ready to Cook Your Best Turkey Yet!
Cooking a delicious, tender young turkey is much easier than it seems. With the right prep, seasoning, cooking method and resting time, you’ll have a holiday turkey everyone will rave about. Avoid common mistakes like overcooking, and use tips like brining and tenting to take your turkey to the next level. Which roasting technique will you use for your next memorable young turkey meal?
1 Check Your Turkey for Doneness
Per the FDA, turkey is considered cooked at 165°F.
The turkey’s temperature will continue rising as it rests.
- Based on my experience, the turkey should be cooked until an instant read thermometer reads 150 to 160°F in the breast.
- The thigh temperature may be higher now, which is fine because turkey thigh meat is more forgiving. The thigh shouldn’t be hotter than 170°F, but don’t worry if it is.
How to Roast a Turkey: Your Ultimate Recipe and Guide
I’ve come a long way since cooking my first turkey for Friendsgiving at the age of 22.
I have tried it all, from wet brines to dry brines, roasting at different temperatures, basting or not basting, turkey bag or no turkey bag, covered or not covered, and more.
This post tells you exactly what you need to know!
Follow this post and you’ll cook a perfect Thanksgiving turkey that is moist, not dry every single time.
For a frozen turkey, start at least 24 hours ahead of time. For a thawed turkey, start up to 5 days ahead of time.
You can also get my FREE Thanksgiving Guide, which has a full menu and exact times for your whole Thanksgiving meal.
- 4 to 5 days before roasting. Thaw the turkey.
- 1 to 3 days before roasting. Either use a wet turkey brine the day before or a dry brine two to three days before.
- 1 day before or the morning of roasting. Refrigerate the turkey uncovered to dry the skin.
- Warm up the oven and let the turkey sit out at room temperature for an hour before roasting. Stuff and tie the turkey and then put it on the roasting pan.
- Roast the turkey (2 to 3 hours). The timing will vary depending on its size. See How Long to Cook a Turkey for details. Allow two to two and a half hours for a 14- to 16-pound bird. Lower the heat to 325 degrees F after 45 minutes of being at 450 degrees F.
- Let the turkey rest (30 minutes). Put aluminum foil over the turkey to help it stay warm.
- Make the gravy. Or heat up pre-made gravy. For this Turkey Gravy recipe, the drippings are used. For this Mushroom Gravy recipe, you can make it ahead of time and don’t need the drippings.
- Carve the turkey. See our turkey carving tutorial for step-by-step photos.
Now, let’s look at each step in detail.
A Beginner’s Guide to an Easy Roast Turkey | Food Wishes
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a young turkey?
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Turkey Weight
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Cooking Time
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Doneness Temperature
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8-12 lbs.
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2 hrs 45 mins–3 hrs
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170-175°F
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12-14 lbs.
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3 hrs–3 hrs 45 mins
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170-175°F
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14-18 lbs.
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3 hrs 45 mins–4 hrs 15 mins
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170-175°F
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18-20 lbs.
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4 hrs 15 mins–4 hrs 30 mins
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170-175°F
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Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Are young turkeys tender?
How long do you cook a young Turkey?
Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the pan. Roast the turkey for 15 minutes per pound. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. How to Cook a Young Turkey?
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
How do you cook a young Turkey in the oven?
Cooking the Young Turkey: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and loosely cover it with aluminum foil. This helps retain moisture and prevents the skin from over-browning.
How do you cook a young Turkey in a crock pot?
Cook Low and Slow When it comes to cooking a young turkey, slow and steady wins the race. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and loosely cover it with aluminum foil. This helps to retain moisture and prevent the skin from over-browning.
How long does a 12 pound turkey take to cook?
Your turkey’s cooking time depends on how much it weighs and whether it’s stuffed or unstuffed. As a rule of thumb, 12–15 pound turkey will take between 2 1/2 and 4 hours to cook. Here’s another way to think about it: Be sure to check your turkey’s temperature about halfway through cooking.
How do you cook a turkey breast if it’s too dark?
Baste the turkey. Every 45 minutes, brush the turkey all over with the rest of the herb butter. If you run out of herb butter, brush with the pan drippings. If the breast meat is getting too dark before it’s ready, cover it with a sheet of aluminum foil to prevent overcooking. Check the turkey’s temperature.