This traditional, classic roasted turkey recipe will become your go-to recipe for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This moist turkey comes out so juicy, your mouth will water when you cut into it.
I love Thanksgiving so much, because Thanksgiving food and Thanksgiving recipes are quite possibly the best thing on the planet. If you don’t believe me, check out my amazing roll recipe that you’ll use over and over again – promise.
But, we all know that the Thanksgiving Roasted Turkey is the most important part of the entire meal.
I remember the first time I hosted Thanksgiving at my house and I was SO stressed about the turkey, but I’ve figured out the best way to cook it where you get a moist turkey that isn’t dried out (because a dried out turkey on Thanksgiving is just sad) and you will have juices oozing out of every bite with this traditional turkey recipe.
A Perfectly Roasted Turkey Is Everything On Thanksgiving Day
While I love other Thanksgiving recipes, if you don’t get the turkey right, then Thanksgiving will still go on of course, but it won’t be as good. And, you’ll not want as many Thanksgiving leftovers either, which is half the reason we go through this process anyway, right?
This easy roasted turkey recipe will not disappoint, and will take the pressure off you too.
I Always Cook my Roasted Turkey In A Bag
I always bake my turkey in a bag because it’s easiest. There’s no reason to baste and it comes out perfect, and juicy, every time. If you follow these instructions, I promise you juice oozing when you cut into it. And, no basting is the way to go.
Cook Your Roasted Turkey In A Disposable Pan Too
First it means easy clean up. Second is that I can bend and shape the pan so it can fit into my oven with other dishes as on Thanksgiving you typically have multiple items in the oven at once. SMART right?
I also double my pans because you will most likely cut through them when you carve the turkey. So, just keep these tips in mind as you’re reading through this recipe.
Now that we have those two tips out of the way, let’s get to the recipe.
Classic Roasted Turkey Recipe Ingredients
1 large size roasting bag
1 tablespoon flour
12-14 lb turkey
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Classic Roasted Turkey Recipe Instructions
Preheat oven to 350.
Follow directions on the roasting bag. Add 1 tablespoon flour to the bag, hold close and shake well. Place the bag into a roasting pan and open.
Rinse turkey and pat dry. Place inside the roasting bag.
Mix melted butter and minced garlic together in a bowl. Use a pastry brush to spread mixture onto the turkey. Sprinkle with spices.
Tie the bag shut with the bag tie and cut six slits into the bag on the top to vent.
Bake for 2-3 hours or until juices run clear and a meat thermometer inserted in the breast bone reaches 180 degrees. Let set 10 minutes before carving.
That’s it! I promise this Thanksgiving turkey will become your go – to recipe. Do you have any tricks for cooking on Thanksgiving day? Let us know in the comments!
Traditional Roasted Turkey Preheat oven to 350. Follow directions on the roasting bag. Add 1 tablespoon flour to the bag, hold close and shake well. Place the bag into a roasting pan and open. Rinse turkey and pat dry. Place inside the roasting bag. Mix melted butter and minced garlic together in a bowl. Use a pastry brush to spread mixture onto the turkey. Sprinkle with spices. Tie the bag shut with the bag tie and cut six slits into the bag on the top to vent. Bake for 2-3 hours or until juices run clear and a meat thermometer inserted in the breast bone reaches 180 degrees. Let set 10 minutes before carving. Use a disposable roasting pan for several reasons. First, it is easy clean up. Second is that you can bend and shape the pan so it can fit into the oven with other dishes as on Thanksgiving you typically have multiple items in the oven at once. Also double your pan because you will most likely cut through them when you carve the turkey. Roasted Turkey
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Or my Traditional Green Bean Casserole for a more savory vegetable side dish.
And the CLASSIC Thanksgiving side dish – Easy Mashed Potatoes
