Oven-roasted turkey is a classic, succulent dish that is perfect for special occasions, holiday feasts, or any time you want to treat your guests to a delicious and impressive meal. Roasting turkey in the oven creates a golden, crispy skin and tender, juicy meat that’s full of flavor. It’s the kind of dish that makes a statement and brings people together around the table.
To prepare oven-roasted turkey, start by selecting a fresh or thawed whole turkey. Begin by removing the giblets and patting the bird dry with paper towels. For flavor, season the turkey generously inside and out with salt, pepper, and a mixture of herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage. A little garlic, lemon, and onion stuffed inside the cavity add even more fragrance and depth to the flavor profile.
Next, rub the turkey with olive oil or softened butter, which helps the skin crisp up beautifully while keeping the meat moist. For added flavor, you can also baste the turkey with its own juices or a mixture of melted butter and herbs throughout the roasting process.
Roast the turkey in a preheated oven at a moderate temperature, typically around 325°F (165°C), and cook for several hours depending on the weight of the bird. A good rule of thumb is about 15 minutes per pound, but the key to perfect turkey is checking the internal temperature. The turkey is done when it reaches 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the breast and thigh.
Once the turkey is cooked, allow it to rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful bird. The crispy skin and tender, juicy meat are perfect for serving with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and roasted vegetables.
Oven-roasted turkey is a crowd-pleasing dish that never goes out of style. It’s perfect for large gatherings, holiday celebrations, or a memorable Sunday dinner with family. The savory aroma that fills the house as the turkey roasts is sure to get everyone excited for the meal.
Ingredients
- 12 pound turkey thawed if frozen
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sage
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Rub the olive oil all over the turkey, including the cavity.
- Season the turkey generously with salt, black pepper, and herbs.
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack set in a roasting pan. Tuck the wing tips under the body and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
- Roast the turkey in the preheated oven, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh, around 3 hours.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving.
Nutrition
This recipe is amazing! The turkey turned out so juicy and flavorful. Thanks for sharing! 😍
Oven? Why not just use an air fryer? Heard they’re better for turkeys. 1 star for being outdated!
I’ve actually had great results with both methods! Air fryers can be nice, but there’s just something about oven-roasting a turkey that gives it that traditional flavor. Don’t knock it ’til you try it! 5 stars for this recipe.
But like, my air fryer is way faster and uses less power! Ovens are so 1995. Just sayin’. 1 star for being behind the times.
I don’t know… I’ve tried roasting turkey before but it always dries out. What am I missing?
My grandma taught me to brine it first. This seems ok, but grandmas know best. 😅
Do not use fresh herbs! Dried are better. Trust me, I know.
Ain’t nobody got time for a 3-hour roast! I just stick it in the deep fryer. So much quicker and tastes better. LOL
Deep frying a turkey is cool, but you miss out on that classic roasted flavor! Plus, it’s not a holiday without the smell of a roasted turkey. LOL
I dunno, the oven roast is traditional and all but I don’t have tht kinda time neither. Maybe I will try both? 🤷♂️
Easy recipe! But I used a wild herb combo from my garden and it was a bit too strong. Next time I’ll stick to the basics.
Stick to the classic herbs, don’t mess with nature! Too many strong flavors can ruin it. I’ve learned that the hard way.
I love the idea of using fresh herbs from the garden! Even if it was a bit strong, it sounds like a fun experiment. Maybe try dill next time? It’s milder!
The herbs make a huge difference! Never thought to use thyme, it was so good! 🦃
Gave 1 star. Your oven temp is too low, turkey needs to be 350°F! Just my opinion.
Best turkey ever! Basting with the juices made it super tasty! I am never going back to store-bought again!
Just wow! A perfect turkey is hard to find, but this recipe nailed it. Great share! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Not impressed. Why do we tie the legs? Can’t just leave them, right?
Turkey came out good, but I used chicken instead by mistake! Still was tasty, lol!
Luvv this!!! It was sooo good!! 🦃😊
This was okay, but the turkey ended up dry. I think I overcooked it…
This is almost like the way my grandma made it. Nostalgic! 10/10.
It tasted good but took forever to cook. Mine was in for over 4 hours!
Yeah, it took me a long time too! But it was worth it for the taste. I guess it just depends on the oven!
I don’t know what I did wrong, but my turkey was dry. Followed the steps to the letter. Maybe I need a better recipe?
This turkey turned out amazing! So juicy and full of flavor. My family loved it!
I’m glad it turned out great for you! The recipe sounds delicious. Juicy turkey is the best!
Recipe’s good but too long. Why does it take 3 hours?! 🤔
This recipe was ehh. Not bad, but not great. I’ve had better turkeys at restaurants.
Aww, that’s too bad! I’ve always liked this recipe. Gives good flavor!
I think it’s all about how you season it! Maybe try adding some garlic or lemon next time? 🤔
I followed the instructions but it took longer than 3 hours. My turkey was still kinda pink inside. Not sure what went wrong.
It sounds like your turkey just needed more time in the oven. Make sure to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Pink can be tricky; it might not be safe! Don’t lose hope, though. Next time, it should turn out great!
This turkey recipe is amazing!! It turned out juicy and so flavorful – my family loved it!
Great recipe! I added some garlic and it was fantastic. Highly recommend!
Garlic? Really? Isn’t that a bit much for turkey? I think it would overpower the taste.
I never thought of adding garlic! That’s a great idea, I’m gonna try it next time. Thanks for the tip!
I tried this for Thanksgiving, and everyone loved it! I’m not much of a cook, but even I managed it. 4 stars!
Glad to hear it! Thanksgiving is about family, and a good turkey makes it special. I always add a bit of garlic powder for extra flavor. Just a thought!
This is my first time cooking a turkey and it was a bit scary, but it came out so good! Thanks for the recipe!
It’s just a turkey, not a rocket science! Just follow the steps, and you’ll be fine. But don’t get too cocky, it’s easy to overcook them.
Congrats on your first turkey! I’ve always been scared to try it myself, but hearing about your success makes me want to give it a go!
Who even uses a roasting rack? I just put it right on the pan, worked fine.
How can you roast a turkey without garlic? This recipe is missing something important. I gave it a 3.
I think garlic is overrated in turkey. This recipe sounds good as is! Give it a try before judging! 😊
Best turkey recipe ever! Everyone loved it, even my picky kids.
I’m so glad your kids loved it! This turkey looks delicious, I can’t wait to try it myself.
Plain ol turkey, nothing special. But hey, it fed the kids.
Well, at least it was a win for the kids! I’m sure they enjoyed it, right? 😄
I think turkey can be great! Did you try adding a glaze or stuffing? It can make a big difference.
Honestly, it was kinda dry. I don’t think I’ll use this recipe again. 2 stars.
Why do people put herbs on turkey? Just use salt and pepper! Simplicity is the best!
I thought a 12lb turkey would be bigger! Anyway, it turned out good. The instructions were easy to follow. 4/5.
Umm…why do you put the olive oil on? Isn’t turkey already kinda oily? I dunno, just asking!
I don’t eat turkey. Tried it for my family, though. They loved it! 👍
Bro, I thought roasting a turkey was way harder. This is super simple, I can actually do it for Thanksgiving!
This was the juiciest turkey I’ve ever made! Thank you for the easy instructions!
I’m not sure this recipe is right. My turkey was dry after following these steps.
This was the best turkey I’ve ever made! Juicy and flavorful, thank you!
Really? I followed the recipe exactly, but my turkey was kinda dry. I guess I did something wrong..
I totally agree! I made this for Thanksgiving and it was a hit! So juicy top marks!
Too complicated! Just put it in and hope for the best. 🤷♂️
turkey? no thanks, i only eat chicken.
That’s cool! Chicken is great too. But you should try turkey sometime, it can be delicious!
This recipe turned out fantastic! The turkey was juicy and full of flavor. I added a pinch of garlic in there too! 5 stars!
This turkey turned out amazing! So juicy and flavorful, my family loved it! Thank you for the recipe!
Is 3 hours really enough? I cooked mine for 4 and it still wasn’t done. Kinda frustrating.
I think the time can vary a lot depending on the size and the oven. Did you check the internal temp? That’s the real test!
Nah mate, 3 hours is what it says but sometimes turkeys need more love! Just gotta watch it closely.
Yum! I added some lemon and it was so good! Who would have thought? 🙌
Kinda basic, but easy to follow. I added garlic powder and it was decent. Meh.
Yum! This is how we do turkey in my house. Perfect for Thanksgiving!
Did I miss the gravy part? I thought turkey comes with gravy. Just saying…