Simple Roasted Turkey

Simple Roasted Turkey

from southernliving.com
Dinner
180 min
10 servings

This simple roasted turkey is one you'll want to use year after year at your Thanksgiving feast. It's easy and nearly foolproof.

Ingredients

  • 1fresh or frozen, thawed whole turkey, with giblets and neck reserved for homemade turkey stock
  • 2 tablespoonskosher salt
  • 1 tablespoonblack pepper
  • 1 largeyellow onion, quartered
  • 3bay leaves
  • 1 headgarlic, halved crosswise
  • 2 tablespoonsolive oil

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 450°F with oven rack in lower third of oven. Place a roasting rack in a large roasting pan lined with aluminum foil. Pat turkey dry with paper towels.

  2. 2

    Season on all sides with salt and pepper; place onion, bay leaves, and garlic in cavity.

  3. 3

    Tie ends of legs together with kitchen twine; tuck wing tips under. Place on rack in prepared pan, breast side up, and brush with oil.

  4. 4

    Bake in lower third of preheated oven 45 minutes. Loosely cover turkey with aluminum foil , and reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Continue baking until golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion of thigh registers 165°F, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Transfer to a cutting board, and rest 30 minutes before carving. Pour pan drippings through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl; discard solids. Reserve 1 1/2 cups strained drippings for Old-Fashioned Turkey Gravy or Mushroom Gravy .