Best Whole Roasted Turkey Recipes

BRINED AND ROASTED WHOLE TURKEY

Steps:

• Overnight Brine: Combine Morton®Kosher Salt and sugar in cool water in a large, clean stockpot until completely dissolved. Place the whole turkey in the brine until completely submerged. Cover and refrigerate overnight, up to 14 hours. Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse inside and out under cool running water for several minutes to remove all traces of salt; pat dry with paper towel.
• 4-5 hour Brine: To brine your turkey in less time (4-5 hours), use 2 cups of Morton®Coarse Kosher Salt and two cups of sugar. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 5 hours.
• To Roast: Mix the softened butter with the pepper. Place turkey on rack in roasting pan. Rub the seasoned butter under the skin. Brush the skin with the melted butter. Pour the 1 cup liquid (wine, broth or water) over the pan bottom to prevent drippings from burning. Roast turkey at 450 degrees F for 25 minutes, baste and then rotate the roasting pan. Continue roasting until the skin turns golden brown, an additional 25 minutes; baste again. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F; continue to roast, basting and rotating the pan once about halfway through cooking, until the minimum internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove the turkey from the oven. Let stand 20 minutes before carving.

BRINED AND ROASTED WHOLE TURKEY

Steps:

• To Brine: Combine Kosher Salt and sugar in cool water in a large, clean stockpot until completely dissolved.
• Place the whole turkey in the brine until completely submerged.
• Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 5 hours.
• Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse inside and out under cool running water for several minutes to remove all traces of salt; pat dry with paper towel.
• To Roast: Mix the softened butter with the pepper.
• Place turkey on rack in roasting pan.
• Rub the seasoned butter under the skin.
• Brush the skin with the melted butter.
• Pour the 1 cup liquid (wine, broth or water) over the pan bottom to prevent drippings from burning.
• Roast turkey at 450° F.
• ,for 25 minutes, baste and then rotate the roasting pan.
• Continue roasting until the skin turns golden brown, an additional 25 minutes; baste again.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325° F; continue to roast, basting and rotating the pan once about halfway through cooking, until the*internal temperature reaches 170° F.
• ,for turkey breast meat and 180° F.
• ,for turkey thigh meat.
• Remove the turkey from the oven.
• Let stand 20 minutes before carving.
• Tips:*Internal temperature guidelines courtesy of USDA Food Safety Facts.
• Do NOT brine turkey if it includes?
• basting?
• liquids that contain salt.
• If pressed for time, use twice as much salt and sugar in the brine and cut soaking time to just 2 hours.
• If you purchase a turkey with a pop-up timer, leave it in place and ignore it.
• If removed, the timer will leave a gaping hole for juices to escape.
• Serves: 10 to 12.
• Preparation Time: 5 hours.
• Recipe by Morton Salt.

WHOLE ROASTED TURKEY WITH CITRUS ROSEMARY SALT

Steps:

• For the Citrus Rosemary Salt: In food processor, process all the ingredients. Pulse until well blended. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• For the Roasted Turkeys: Remove necks and giblets and put into a large saucepan. Add 2 onions, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks and chicken stock. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat and let simmer until reduced to about 2 cups. Strain and reserve; this is the turkey stock that you will use for the gravy.
• Wash the turkeys, inside and out, and dry well. Coat each turkey, inside and out, with 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Season each turkey on the outside with a tablespoon or two of the Citrus Rosemary Salt, pressing it in to adhere. Place 4 rosemary sprigs and 2 lemon halves inside the cavity of each turkey.
• Arrange 4 of the halved carrots and 4 celery stalks on each of 2 half-sheet pans (use baking sheets with a lip). Position each turkey on top of the carrots and celery so that the turkey does not rest directly on the bottom of the pan. Drizzle turkeys with remaining olive oil.
• Roast until an instant-read thermometer (inserted deep into the thigh but away from the bone) reads 165 degrees F and juices in the thigh run clear when pierced with a fork, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours; begin checking at 2 hours. Remove from the pans and let rest for 15 minutes before carving. Reserve pan juices for gravy.
• While turkeys are resting, make the gravy. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour. Whisk over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until a smooth, blond-colored mixture is formed. Add the reserved turkey stock and pan juices and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and let simmer until thickened and ready to serve. Season, to taste.
• Carve turkey and serve with gravy.

KITTENCAL'S PERFECT ROASTED WHOLE TURKEY (GREAT FOR BEGINNERS)

Steps:

• Set oven to 325 degrees F, convection oven heat set to 320 degrees F.
• Set oven rack to lowest position.
• Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity.
• Rinse the turkey well with cold water inside and out then pat dry with a paper towel.
• Place the turkey on a rack on a roasting pan.
• In a small bowl mix together the melted butter with oil (I also like to add in 1 teaspoon garlic powder with the oil/butter mixture if you are a garlic-lover then use it).
• Fill the inside cavity loosley with prepared stuffing (if you are not using stuffing then tie the legs together with cotton butchers twine).
• Using clean hands rub the outside of the turkey with the oil/butter/garlic mixture.
• Season the turkey all over with salt and lots fresh ground black pepper.
• If you are NOT stuffing the bird place breast-side down on the rack, if stuffing leave breast-side up.
• Place/tent a large piece of heavy foil over the turkey.
• Place the pan in the oven, then pour about 4-5 cups chicken broth in the pan.
• Keep basting the turkey about every 30-40 minutes with the pan juices on the bottom of the pan (removing the foil and re-tenting every time you baste).
• If you see the juices starting to evaporate then add in more broth to the pan about 2 cups at a time.
• After about 2-1/2 hours of cooking time remove the foil.
• Keep roasting (325 degrees F) until the internal thermometer reads 180 degrees F (80 degrees C).
• The total cooking time for this 18-pound stuffed bird should be about 4 hours.
• Transfer the cooked turkey to a large serving platter, cover loosley with foil and let rest 30 minutes before carving (DO NOT slice the turkey before 30 minutes or all juices will flow out of the bird!).
• --------------------------------------------.
• **NOTE** cooking times for whole turkeys cooked at 325 degrees are as follows.
• For an 8-12 pound turkey, roast for 2-3/4 to 3 hours.
• For a 12-14 pound turkey, roast for 3 to 3-3/4 hours.
• For a 14-18 pound turkey, roast for 3-3/4 to 4-1/4 hours.
• For an 18-20 pound turkey, roast for 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 hours.

PERFECT ROASTED WHOLE TURKEY

Steps:

• 1. Set oven to 325 degrees F, convection oven heat set to 320 degrees F. Set oven rack to lowest position. Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity. Rinse the turkey well with cold water inside and out then pat dry with a paper towel. Place the turkey on a rack on a roasting pan. In a small bowl mix together the melted butter with oil (I also like to add in 1 teaspoon garlic powder with the oil/butter mixture if you are a garlic-lover then use it). Fill the inside cavity loosley with prepared stuffing (if you are not using stuffing then tie the legs together with cotton butchers twine). Using clean hands rub the outside of the turkey with the oil/butter/garlic mixture. Season the turkey all over with salt and lots fresh ground black pepper. If you are NOT stuffing the bird place breast-side down on the rack, if stuffing leave breast-side up. Place/tent a large piece of heavy foil over the turkey. Place the pan in the oven, then pour about 4-5 cups chicken broth in the pan. Keep basting the turkey about every 30-40 minutes with the pan juices on the bottom of the pan (removing the foil and re-tenting every time you baste). If you see the juices starting to evaporate then add in more broth to the pan about 2 cups at a time. After about 2-1/2 hours of cooking time remove the foil. Keep roasting (325 degrees F) until the internal thermometer reads 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). The total cooking time for this 18-pound stuffed bird should be about 4 hours. Transfer the cooked turkey to a large serving platter, cover loosley with foil and let rest 30 minutes before carving (DO NOT slice the turkey before 30 minutes or all juices will flow out of the bird!). --------------------------------------------. **NOTE** cooking times for whole turkeys cooked at 325 degrees are as follows. For an 8-12 pound turkey, roast for 2-3/4 to 3 hours. For a 12-14 pound turkey, roast for 3 to 3-3/4 hours. For a 14-18 pound turkey, roast for 3-3/4 to 4-1/4 hours.

BRINED AND ROASTED WHOLE TURKEY

Steps:

• Combine Morton® Kosher Salt and sugar in cool water in a large, clean stockpot until completely dissolved. Place the whole turkey in the brine until completely submerged. Cover and refrigerate overnight, up to 14 hours.
• Remove the turkey from the brine, and rinse inside and out and under cool running water for several minutes to remove all traces of Morton® Kosher Salt; pat dry with a paper towel.
• 4-5 hour Brine: To brine your turkey in less time (4-5 hours), use 2 cups of Morton® Kosher Salt and two cups of sugar. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 5 hours.
• To Roast: Mix the softened butter with the pepper. Place turkey on rack in roasting pan. Rub the seasoned butter under the skin. Brush the skin with the melted butter.
• Pour the 1 cup liquid (wine, broth or water) over the pan bottom to prevent drippings from burning. Roast turkey at 450°F for 25 minutes, baste and then rotate the roasting pan.
• Continue roasting until the skin turns golden brown, an additional 25 minutes; baste again. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F; continue to roast, basting and rotating the pan once about halfway through cooking, until the minimum internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Remove the turkey from the oven. Let stand 20 minutes before carving.

WHOLE ROASTED TURKEY WITH FENNEL SPICE RUB

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Remove necks and giblets and put into a large saucepan. Add onions, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, and the chicken stock. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat and let simmer until reduced to about 2 cups. Strain and reserve; this is the turkey stock that you will use for the gravy.
• Wash the turkeys, inside and out, and dry well. Coat inside and out with half of the olive oil. Season each turkey on the outside generously with the spice rub (recipe is below), pressing it in to adhere. Place 4 rosemary sprigs and 2 lemon halves inside the cavity of each turkey.
• Arrange 4 of the halved carrots and 4 celery stalks on each of 2 half-sheet pans or baking sheets. Position each turkey on top of the carrots and celery so that the turkey does not rest directly on the bottom of the pan. Drizzle turkeys with remaining olive oil.
• Roast until an instant-read thermometer (inserted deep into the thigh but away from the bone) reads 165 degrees F and juices in the thigh run clear when pierced with a fork, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours; begin checking at 2 hours. Remove from the pans and let rest for 15 minutes before carving. Reserve pan juices for gravy.
• While turkeys are resting, make the gravy. In a medium heavy saucepan, cook flour and butter over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until a blond roux is formed. Add pan juices and then reserved turkey stock and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and let simmer until thickened and ready to serve.
• Carve turkey as desired and serve with gravy.
• Fennel Spice Rub:.
• Put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. Watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. When light brown and fragrant, pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. They must be cool before grinding, or they will gum up the blades.
• Pour the seeds into a blender and add the salt. Blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.

KITTENCAL'S PERFECT ROASTED WHOLE TURKEY (GREAT FOR BEGINNERS)

Steps:

• Set oven to 325 degrees F, convection oven heat set to 320 degrees F.
• Set oven rack to lowest position.
• Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity.
• Rinse the turkey well with cold water inside and out then pat dry with a paper towel.
• Place the turkey on a rack on a roasting pan.
• In a small bowl mix together the melted butter with oil (I also like to add in 1 teaspoon garlic powder with the oil/butter mixture if you are a garlic-lover then use it).
• Fill the inside cavity loosley with prepared stuffing (if you are not using stuffing then tie the legs together with cotton butchers twine).
• Using clean hands rub the outside of the turkey with the oil/butter/garlic mixture.
• Season the turkey all over with salt and lots fresh ground black pepper.
• If you are NOT stuffing the bird place breast-side down on the rack, if stuffing leave breast-side up.
• Place/tent a large piece of heavy foil over the turkey.
• Place the pan in the oven, then pour about 4-5 cups chicken broth in the pan.
• Keep basting the turkey about every 30-40 minutes with the pan juices on the bottom of the pan (removing the foil and re-tenting every time you baste).
• If you see the juices starting to evaporate then add in more broth to the pan about 2 cups at a time.
• After about 2-1/2 hours of cooking time remove the foil.
• Keep roasting (325 degrees F) until the internal thermometer reads 180 degrees F (80 degrees C).
• The total cooking time for this 18-pound stuffed bird should be about 4 hours.
• Transfer the cooked turkey to a large serving platter, cover loosley with foil and let rest 30 minutes before carving (DO NOT slice the turkey before 30 minutes or all juices will flow out of the bird!).
• --------------------------------------------.
• **NOTE** cooking times for whole turkeys cooked at 325 degrees are as follows.
• For an 8-12 pound turkey, roast for 2-3/4 to 3 hours.
• For a 12-14 pound turkey, roast for 3 to 3-3/4 hours.
• For a 14-18 pound turkey, roast for 3-3/4 to 4-1/4 hours.
• For an 18-20 pound turkey, roast for 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 hours.

PIMENTON-ROASTED WHOLE TURKEY BREAST WITH CHORIZO

Steps:

• 1.In a large skillet, cook the chorizo over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the fat starts to render, 3 minutes. Add two-thirds of the onion wedges, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and browned, 10 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the parsley and let cool completely. 2.Set the turkey breast skin side down on a work surface and season with salt. Spread the onion mixture all over the breast meat and under the tenderloins. Evenly space 5 foot-long pieces of kitchen twine under the breast. Fold the sides of the breast into the center, then tie up the turkey breast with the twine to make a neat roast. 3.Spread the lemon slices and the remaining onion wedges in the center of a roasting pan. Set the turkey breast skin side up on the onions and lemons and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour. 4.Preheat the oven to 425°. Brush the turkey breast with olive oil and season generously with salt. Sprinkle the pimentón all over the top and side. Roast for about 1 hour and 10 minutes, basting occasionally with any pan juices, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat registers 160°; tent the roast with foil if it browns too quickly. Transfer the turkey breast to a carving board and let stand for 20 minutes. Thinly slice crosswise and serve.

WHOLE ROASTED TURKEY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Remove neck, giblets and liver from turkey. Wash inside and out with cold water and pat dry.
• Mix 1/2 pound of butter with the chopped rosemary, salt and pepper. With your hands, carefully separate breast skin from the meat and spread rosemary butter in between.
• Rub turkey inside and outside with salt and black pepper. (If desired, stuff with mushroom stuffing)
• Place onion, carrots, celery, garlic, giblets, neck and liver on the bottom of your roasting pan. Place turkey on top of mixture. Rub turkey with 1 cup of olive oil and transfer to preheated oven. Roast for 45 minutes, then baste every 20 minutes. Add chicken stock as needed so that the vegetables don't burn.
• Roast between 15 and 20 minutes per pound until internal temperature is at least 165 and no more than 180 degrees F. in the thickest part of the thigh.
• Remove and let rest in warm place before serving.
• Add the pomegranate juice to the roasting pan and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain into small saucepan and with a ladle, remove excess fat and reduce until the sauce is slightly thickened.
• Place turkey on serving platter. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds. Spoon tablespoons of sauce over turkey.
• Render foie gras or chicken liver in saute pan. Remove and pour rendered fat over bread. Dice and reserve. (If you use chicken liver instead or foie gras, add 4 tablespoons of butter).
• Rinse dried porcini and soak in warm water. Drain and chop mushrooms, reserving liquid.
• Heat olive oil in saute pan over medium heat and add onions, celery and pancetta. Cook until vegetables become translucent. Combine dried mushrooms and fresh mushrooms and add reserved mushroom liquid and stock. Cook over medium heat and reduce until almost dry. Set aside.
• Place foie gras or chicken liver and dried bread crumbs in a large bowl. Add herbs, beaten eggs and mushroom mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated.
• Stuff turkey according to recipe (or place stuffing in a buttered gratin dish and bake in preheated 350 degree F. oven for 30 minutes).

HOW TO CARVE A WHOLE ROASTED TURKEY

Steps:

• Allow Turkey to rest after coming out of the oven or off the grill, at least 15 to 20 minutes. Follow directions on package for Roasting turkey.
• Then using a very sharp knife cut along side the inside of the turkey leg, down to the bottom of the thigh where you can separate and disjoint the leg from the bottom side of the turkey.
• Now look for a small indention between the drumstick(leg) and the thigh portion and cut between the two to separate the two pieces.
• Once the leg and thigh has been separated, place the leg at the top of a large platter. Then proceed to cut the dark meat from the thigh and removing the bone, slice into nice uniform pieces if possible, or you may want to use two separate platters, one for the white meat and one for the dark meat if the platter is not large enough. I had a VERY LARGE platter so a second platter was not needed.
• Next go along the inside of the wing, remove the tip portion, then cut between the larger portion of the wing and the longer more slender part of the wings, and place at the opposite end of the platter. Repeat these steps on the other side of the turkey.
• Once both legs and the wings have been removed from both sides you are free to carve the breast meat. THE FIRST THING YOU NEED TO DO IS REMOVE THE WISH BONE IN THE FRONT OF THE TURKEY TO MAKE IT EASIER TO CARVE ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE BREAST.
• Once the wishbone has been removed, you can slide the tip of the knife along side the center bone in the turkey cutting along side the curvature of the breast bone carefully pulling the breast meat away as you carve until you reach the base of the turkey near the back, At this point you should have one half of the breast meat in one piece. Repeat for the other side of the turkey.
• Now with each half laying flat on a carving board, cut the breast meat at an angle until you have sliced all of the breast meat. NOTE: AN ELECTRIC KNIFE MAY BE VERY HELPFUL IN SLICING THE BREAST PORTION OF THE TURKEY IF YOU LIKE. Then position each slice back in place as you sliced it, and arrange in same order on platter. Garnish with Parsley and fresh fruits if desired as I have done here.

TANDOORI STYLE ROASTED WHOLE TURKEY BREAST

Steps:

• Combine the mayonnaise, onion, garlic, curry powder, lime zest and juice in a food processor and process until smooth. Pour the mixture into a large bowl, add the turkey breast and cilantro; turn to coat the entire turkey in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Remove the turkey from the marinade and arrange on a baking rack set in a small roasting pan. Season well with salt and pepper and roast in the oven until lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the breast registers 160 degrees F, about 1 hour longer. Remove to a cutting board, loosely tent with foil and let rest 15 minutes before slicing and serving.