During Thanksgiving, I know that most people add in the turkey only because it’s a tradition, but prefer to eat the sides. I, on the other hand, love turkey so much as it is actually my favorite part about Thanksgiving dinner!
Today, I’m going to show you how to make an easy, and super juicy Thanksgiving turkey that’ll leave your heart satisfied and your bellies full. Just follow my simple steps!
Easy, Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Turkey
- Medium sized turkey with skin on (mine was 14.5 lbs)
- Please make sure to fully defrost the turkey before cooking, wash thoroughly, and remove any giblet and neck)
- Inside your turkey
- 4 heads garlic cut into fourths
- 3 slices of lemon
- 4 sprigs of thyme
- 4 sprigs of rosemary
- 2 tbsp salt
- 2 tbsp pepper
For the Garlic Butter
- 4 ounces of butter
- 1 tsp of chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 5 tsp of minced garlic
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
- Combine the Herb Butter ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly
- Thoroughly pat the turkey dry and lather the inside of the turkey with salt and pepper
- Then, stuff the cavity with garlic, lemon, thyme, rosemary
- Rub the garlic butter all over the turkey, even under the skin to allow the juices to cook run through.
- Then set your desired internal meat temperature to 158 – 160 degrees
- Note: Instead of setting a timer, we will be going by the internal temperature. I find that it is easier to check if the turkey is thoroughly cooked this way
- Stick your meat thermometer into the thickest part of the bird (I stick it in the breast)
- Allow your turkey to roast. You can cover the parts that brown quickly with foil to prevent them from burning
- Something additional that I like to do is when the turkey begins to create enough juices on the bottom of the pan, begin basting in its’ own juices
- You can also choose to inject the turkey with its’ own juices as well. I typically like to do this every 40 minutes or so. This ensures that the turkey will be juicy and hearty.
I hope you can all enjoy this simple, yet delicious Turkey recipe with your family this year!
