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Simple Roast Turkey

By Paula Deen

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Difficulty: Easy

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Servings: 15

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 sticks room-temperature butter
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped thyme
  • 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 12 lb fresh or defrosted turkey
  • 1 quartered onion
  • 1 stalk chunked celery
  • 1 chunked carrot
  • 1 head cut in half horizontally garlic

Directions

Heat oven to 375 °F.

Combine butter, parsley, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Place the turkey breast-side up in a roasting pan fitted with a v rack, taking care to tuck the wings under the bottom of the bird.

Sprinkle the cavity with salt and pepper. Place the onion, celery, carrot and garlic inside the bird.

Using your hands, rub the turkey with the butter mixture.

Roast for 18 minutes per pound (for a 12-pound bird that’s roughly 3 1/2 hours). The turkey is finished roasting when the thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 °F and the juices run clear.

Tent the turkey loosely with foil and rest for 20 minutes before carving.

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Dana

November 07, 2014
Mary Lou: I have baked the turkey breast side down for 30 years. It is definitely true that it is moister if you cook it this way. I wouldn't cook it any other way. Once anyone tastes my turkey, they want to know how I made it so moist. Of course, I pass the tip along.

Judy

November 07, 2014
Sounds delish. will definitely try it.

Kenneth

November 07, 2014
This recipe sounds incredibly good. I can't wait to try it. Thank you Paula. I noticed someone called you out for not washing your hands more often. I do the same thing and I haven't had trouble yet.

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