Printable Recipe: The BEST Simple Roast Turkey Recipe

The BEST Simple Roast Turkey Recipe

It's nearly impossible to go wrong with this utterly flavorful yet wonderfully simple roast turkey recipe. The herbs and flavorings used combine to lend a subtle richness to the bird... but with no one flavor standing out. The only thing your guests will truly taste is a wonderful turkey.

Oh, and this is probably THE best roasted turkey recipe if you want to make a great gravy from the drippings. Find out how to do just that right here.

A 10-pound bird will make enough to serve about 10 people without much left over. Making a large bird? Double the ingredients and adjust the turkey cooking time accordingly.

Ingredients:
1 (10 lb) turkey (thawed or fresh, giblets/neck removed)
1 C. chicken broth

For the Skin:
1/4 lb. butter (not margarine!), melted
1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
1 lemon, juice of
1 lemon, zest of
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

For the Cavity:
Fresh thyme (about a whole bunch)
1 lemon, quartered
1 yellow onion, peeled and quartered
1 head garlic, cut in half across the middle of the cloves

Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

2. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, chopped thyme, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

3. Place the turkey breast-side-up on a large but shallow-sided roasting pan with a rack.

4. To stuff the cavity, first sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Use plenty! Then insert the lemon, bunch of thyme, onion, and garlic.

5. To flavor the skin, spoon or brush the butter mixture all over the outside of the turkey. Sprinkle to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

6. With a bit of kitchen string, tie the drumsticks together and tuck the wings over. This helps to encourage even cooking.

7. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan.

8. Roast the turkey 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the internal temperature when tested with a meat thermometer reads 165 to 170 degrees F.

9. Remove to a platter, cover with a tent of foil, and let rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.

10. Carve the bird (find tips on carving a turkey here) and enjoy this wonderfully simple roast turkey recipe!