How To Cook A Turkey ( 5 Different Ways with Recipe)

3 from 1 vote

Cook the juiciest, flavorful, and tender turkey you’ve only dreamt was possible with this easy turkey recipe.

Prep Time20

Cook Time4

Rest Time15

Total Time4 35

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Best Turkey, Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes, thanksgiving, turkey

Servings:

Calories: 253kcal

Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
Remove wrap from turkey, and then remove neck, giblets, and gravy packet if one is included.
Place turkey into roasting pan breast side up.
Tuck turkey wings under and tie or clamp legs together.
Salt and pepper the inside cavity of the turkey.
Dry outside of turkey with a paper towel (don’t wash or rinse your turkey because you will contaminate your sink. The bacteria will die when it cooks in the oven).
Salt and pepper the outside of turkey lightly and then baste with melted butter. Salt and pepper again.
Place the turkey in the preheated oven. Set timer based on how large your turkey is (follow directions on the package).
To check for doneness, insert meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. Meat thermometer should reach between 165 and 180 degrees and the juices should run clear when the turkey is done.
After you remove the turkey from the oven, let it rest for about 15 minutes before slicing. This gives you time to get a few more things done for the big meal. Just cover with foil to keep warm while it rests.

To know how many people your turkey will feed – a good rule of thumb is that whatever your turkey weighs, that is approximately how many people it will feed (1 pound per person).
If you want to have leftovers, plan on 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person.
We always say that the quickest way to thaw a whole turkey is in a bath of cold water. Thawing in cold water takes about 30 minutes per pound. One thing to know is that you will need to refresh the water every 30 minutes or so. We also will often add ice to the water to ensure that the water is very cold.
Another way to thaw your turkey is in the fridge. Set the turkey on a cookie sheet because this will catch any liquid that could drip off your turkey while thawing. Be sure to have about 1 day of refrigeration for every 5 pounds of the turkey.
There is no need to rinse your turkey – all that it will do is contaminate your sink. The bacteria you are trying to rinse off will die when it cooks in the oven. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.