How to Cook the Perfect Turkey

If you have the honor of hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, and you have worries about making the perfect turkey, don't fret. Anyone can cook the perfect turkey if he or she knows what to do. Follow these steps to help you roast a delicious, juicy and flavorful turkey.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Defrosted whole turkey
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Other seasonings (optional)
• Melted butter

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Move the oven rack to the lowest setting.

2. Remove the neck bone and bag of giblets from the inside of the turkey. You can discard the giblets and neck bone or save them to make turkey stock.

3. Rinse the inside and the outside of the turkey with cool water. Use paper towels to pat the turkey dry.

4. Season the inside and outside of the turkey with salt and pepper as desired. Use any additional spices or herbs as desired as well.

5. Place the turkey on a rack in a heavy roasting pan. Be sure that the turkey sits breast side up. You may oil the rack to prevent sticking, if you like.

6. Coat the skin of the turkey with melted butter. Be sure to cover the entire turkey evenly to allow for even browning of the skin.

7. Insert an oven safe thermometer into the inner thigh of the turkey. Be careful to avoid touching any bone with the thermometer.

8. Cover the turkey with a loose foil tent and place the turkey in the oven. Baste the turkey using the turkey drippings or melted butter and a turkey baster every half an hour during cooking if desired.

9. Take the foil tent off the turkey during the last hour of cooking time. This allows the turkey skin to brown and crisp. Start checking internal temperature at this time.

10. Cook the turkey until cooked through. The temperature in the turkey thigh should read 180 degrees F. For turkeys less than ten pounds, you will need approximately 20 minutes of cooking time per pound. For turkeys weighing over ten pounds, you will need approximately 15 minutes of cooking time per pound.

11. Allow the cooked turkey to rest for approximately 20 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Carve the turkey as desired and serve. Good accompaniments for roasted turkey include stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce.

Tips & Warnings

• This recipe calls for a defrosted turkey. If you have a frozen turkey, you can defrost it using one of two methods. You can place the frozen turkey in the refrigerator on a baking sheet to catch any juices. Let the turkey sit in the refrigerator for approximately five hours per pound to defrost. Alternatively, you can place the wrapped whole turkey in cold water in the kitchen sink. Change the water every half an hour or so. A frozen turkey will take a half an hour per pound to defrost this way.

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