A simple Thanksgiving turkey recipe so straightforward and foolproof, even beginners can master it with ease. Forget the stress and fuss—this simple method delivers a perfectly juicy bird, ensuring your holiday feast is both delicious and stress-free.
In many instances, simpler is better. With two simple ingredients, turkey and butter, my husband raved that this Thanksgiving turkey was the most moist he’d ever had. There’s no need to get fancy for this turkey to be the star of the show; and no one wants to experiment on a day as important as Thanksgiving anyway!
What is the secret to a moist turkey?
The secret to a moist turkey is two part: butter and basting. Make sure you place your sliced butter all over your turkey and one stick of butter inside the turkey cavity. Pull your turkey out and baste thoroughly every 30 minutes.
What Size Turkey Should I Buy?
Plan to cook 1 lb of turkey per person.
When to Thaw Your Turkey
Make sure you take your turkey out of the freezer in enough time to thaw before the big day! You’ll need to thaw your turkey in the fridge for the following times based on the size of your turkey:
How to Cook a Simple Thanksgiving Turkey
On Thanksgiving Day, once your turkey has thawed, pull it out of the fridge one hour before you plan to cook it. Take the neck and giblets out of the turkey and set aside for gravy if you plan on using them. Rinse the inside of your turkey in the sink with cold water. Dig out the lungs and throw them away. Place your turkey in a roasting pan with a lid or disposable roasting pan. Rub one stick of butter inside the turkey’s cavity.
Slice a second stick of butter and place the butter slices all over the outside of your turkey. Make sure to get between the legs and body.
Simple Thanksgiving Turkey Cook Times
Cook your Thanksgiving turkey at 350 degrees for the following times based on size, or until the internal temperature of your turkey reaches 165 degrees with a meat thermometer.
If you do not have a roasting pan with a lid, cover your turkey in tin foil while roasting.
Basting Your Thanksgiving Turkey
Pull your turkey out of the oven and baste thoroughly with the juices in the bottom of the roasting pan every 30 minutes. This will ensure you have a perfectly moist, flavorful bird.
In the last 30 minutes of roasting, remove the lid or tin foil to allow the turkey to brown.
How to Know When Your Turkey is Done
Unfortunately the pop up thermometers that come with many turkeys can be faulty and may not pop up until your turkey is overcooked. You’ll want to use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey has reached the correct temperature without overcooking. Make sure your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. You can check the temperature of your turkey by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh.
After Your Turkey Reaches 165 Degrees
Once your turkey is done, let it rest on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour before carving. While your turkey rests you can begin cooking your fried apples and sweet potato casserole.
What Should I Do With Thanksgiving Turkey Leftovers?
Leftovers are the best part of Thanksgiving! Mix up your turkey leftovers after Thanksgiving by making Turkey Salad.
Little Cooks Corner
Tiny chefs in training of any age can help by slicing the butter using a Montessori knife and placing the butter on the turkey. Older helpers can help baste the turkey every 30 minutes.
Need Side Dishes and Desserts Too?
Check out my full Thanksgiving meal plan , complete with recipes, step-by-step instructions, timelines, a shopping list, and more for everything you need to pull off a successful Thanksgiving dinner.
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Easiest Simple Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
A simple Thanksgiving turkey recipe so straightforward and foolproof, even beginners can master it with ease. Forget the stress and fuss. This simple method delivers a perfectly juicy bird, ensuring your holiday feast is both delicious and stress-free.A simple Thanksgiving turkey recipe so straightforward and foolproof, even beginners can master it with ease. Forget the stress and fuss—this simple method delivers a perfectly juicy bird, ensuring your holiday feast is both delicious and stress-free.
Ingredients
- 8-24 lb Thanksgiving Turkey
- 2 sticks butter
Instructions
- On Thanksgiving Day, once your turkey has thawed, pull it out of the fridge one hour before you plan to cook it.
- Take the neck and giblets out of the turkey and set aside for gravy if you plan on using them.
- Rinse the inside of your turkey in the sink with cold water. Dig out the lungs and throw them away.
- Place your turkey in a roasting pan with a lid or disposable roasting pan.
- Rub one stick of butter inside the turkey’s cavity.
- Slice a second stick of butter and place the butter slices all over the outside of your turkey. Make sure to get between the legs and body.
- Cook your Thanksgiving turkey at 350 degrees for the following times based on size, or until the internal temperature of your turkey reaches 165 degrees with a meat thermometer.
8 lb – 3 hrs
10 lb – 3 hrs 15 min
12 lb – 3 hrs 30 min
14 lb – 3 hrs 45 min
16 lb – 4 hrs
18 lb – 4 hrs 15 min
20 lb – 4 hrs 45 min
22 lb – 5 hrs
24 lb – 5 hrs 15 min - Pull your turkey out of the oven and baste thoroughly with the juices in the bottom of the roasting pan every 30 minutes. This will ensure you have a perfectly moist, flavorful bird.
- In the last 30 minutes of roasting, remove the lid or tin foil to allow the turkey to brown.
- You’ll want to use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey has reached the correct temperature without overcooking. Make sure your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. You can check the temperature of your turkey by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh.
- Once your turkey is done, let it rest on the counter for 30 minutes to an hour before carving.
Notes
If you do not have a roasting pan with a lid, cover your turkey in tin foil while roasting.
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