Simple Roasted Turkey

(13)
  • Minutes to Prepare:
  • Minutes to Cook:
  • Number of Servings: 9
Ingredients
1 whole fresh turkey, 10 to 14 poundssalt to tastefreshly ground black pepper3 sprigs fresh rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried2 bay leaves, crushed2 medium onions, roughly chopped into 1-inch pieces3 carrots, roughly chopped into 1-inch pieces3 stalks celery, roughly chopped into 1-inch pieces2 shallots, peeled and halved
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

2. Remove the giblets from the turkey and save them for another use or discard. Rinse the turkey, inside and out, with cold water and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper inside and out.

3. If you are using fresh herbs, chop them. Combine the herbs, bay leaves, onions, carrots, celery and shallots together and stuff the mixture into the cavity of the bird.

4. Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Rub the olive oil under the skin of the turkey. Tuck the wings back, under the bird and truss it.

5. Place the turkey in the oven and roast until the skin is golden brown and crisp, the juices run clear when the thigh is pierced with a sharp knife, and a meat thermometer reads 170°F, about 3 hours. While it cooks, occasionally baste the turkey with the juices that collect in the roasting pan.

Note: Allow the turkey to rest for 20 minutes and check that the temperature has come up to 180°F. (The bird will continue to cook after removing it from the oven).
.

6. Transfer the turkey to a serving platter. Remove the vegetables from the cavity and discard. Let the turkey rest for about 20 minutes before carving, and then serve.


Number of Servings: 9

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user TABBYKAT75.

Servings Per Recipe: 9
Nutritional Info Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 235.6
  • Total Fat: 8.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 82.8 mg
  • Sodium: 106.6 mg
  • Total Carbs: 5.6 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 32.8 g

Member Reviews
  • MAZIE4661
    I place onion & apple in cavity of my turkeys & roast - 8/25/09
  • CD4427479
    YUM! So good!! I was pleasantly surprised that the skin turned out crunchy even without butter. Also loved the fact that the whole turkey cooked in 3 hrs instead of the usual 8. This is my new favorite way to make turkey. Highly recommended!!!!!!! - 5/18/10
  • SAVANNAHH
    Thanks for sharing this. I just made it and my turkey turned out PERFECT!!!!! - 11/22/07
  • ROSSYFLOSSY
    Classic recipe. - 2/17/21
  • ARTJAC
    nice - 12/11/20
  • NEPTUNE1939
    tasty - 4/15/20
  • ZRIE014
    tasty - 12/22/19
  • SINGBHAPPY2D
    I enjoy turkey where it is Thanksgiving or not..This looks good!! - 2/18/19
  • DAN072254
    Sounds good - 11/8/18
  • RDCAGAIN10
    Simple and good - 5/7/18
  • DMEYER4
    very tender and juicy - 3/7/18
  • FAYBEE3
    what exactly is a serving size and does this reflect eating just white meat or dark meat or both?? - 11/27/15
  • SANNISEEDING
    I did use just a tiny bit of oil on the skin, not under it. I baked it breast side down, which makes turkeys SO much juicier, and negates the need to baste or even cover the turkey. It came out fantastic as usual, and then I made stock with the carcass. Yum! - 7/12/11
  • AUSOMEVOICE
    works like a charm. - 11/25/09
  • LEESA180
    I am not a Turkey Lover, so I used a Large Chicken insted.
    good recipe. - 11/5/09
  • ACHRISTIANGIRL
    Sounds good and I love the picture! - 7/6/09
  • FRAN2008
    Wow, the whole family loved this. I'll definitely be making this again soon. - 2/1/08
  • SANDY_49
    I thought this a great recipe - 12/23/07
  • FATKAT2008
    purr fect - 12/17/07
  • BIGCHEFMAR53
    I will make this next week for sure - 11/13/07
  • PHATGURL09
    I will make this again for Thanksgiving - 11/13/07