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CLASSIC ROASTED TURKEY

Prep Time2 hours
Cook Time6 hours
Total Time8 hours

Ingredients

  • 1 thawed whole turkey any size
  • 4-6 TBSP cold Butter {depending on size of turkey}
  • 1/2 tsp- 1 tsp rubbed sage {or Rosemary if you prefer}
  • 1/2 – 1 tsp traditional spice blend
  • salt & pepper
  • 1 small apple
  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 1 small orange
  • 1 15- oz can chicken broth

Instructions

  • After removing the neck, giblet packet and gravy packet {if your turkey has one} then stick the turkey in your sink and rinse it off.
  • Lightly dry the outside of the turkey and place the bird on a rack in a roasting pan. {I roasted turkeys for a long time without a roasting pan. It’s not completely necessary, but it is both handy and results in a more evenly roasted turkey.}
  • Cut the apple, orange and onion up into large chunks.
  • Stuff the cavity of the bird with them, attempting to mix them up as much as you can. Really work to stuff these in there too- I pack it in tight!
  • Cut the 4 TBSP of butter in half.
  • Cube 2 TBSP into small pieces and gently detach the skin right above the turkey breasts. Use your fingers to separate the turkey skin from the meat and slide the small cubes of butter up underneath. Do this to both turkey breasts, as far back as you can detach it. I like to try and keep the butter as high up on the turkey as possible, that way as it melts, it runs down, coating turkey as it goes. {See picture to see the final product below.}
  • Melt the remaining 2 TBSP of butter and brush all over the top of the turkey, after the butter cubes are under the skin. Since the turkey is cold, the butter will begin to solidify, which is good since it will hold it in place longer.
  • Sprinkle seasonings and salt and pepper on top of the butter. Pour chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan.
  • Gently cover the bird in foil and return to the fridge if you’re not roasting right away.
  • Roast the turkey at 325 degrees F, according to weight.
  • After the turkey has been in the oven for about 2 hours, check it regularly to make sure it’s not browning too much on the top. If it is, just lay a piece of foil over it. No need to tuck the sides in or anything, just lay it over the top.
  • After it’s roasted to the appropriate temperature, take your turkey out of the oven, cover it with foil and let it sit for an hour.
  • Not only does this give you time to cook several other items that need cooking, but it also lets the juices be redistributed, resulting in a more moist turkey and easier carving.

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