Roast Turkey (Easy Steps for New Cooks)

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325f and put a rack in a roasting pan.

Step 2

N.B. If you use a foil roasting pan have it seated firmly on a solid tray do not attempt to carry it on it's own without bottom support.

Step 3

Remove neck& giblets from the cavity of the bird Rinse turkey thoroughly inside and out patting it dry with a paper towel.

Step 4

Sprinkle salt& pepper inside and over the skin of the bird Stuff the bird with dressing.

Step 5

N.B. Do not do this until just before you are going to cook the bird.

Step 6

Stuff the neck cavity as well as the body cavity.

Step 7

Secure the neck flap with a skewer or stitch it Tie drumsticks together and close the body cavity securely.

Step 8

In a small bowl combine butter,rosemary, sage& thyme, mix well Gently loosen the skin covering the breast, be careful not to tear it Spread herb mixture under the skin and over it Place turkey on rack in the roasting pan Roast the turkey basting every 20 minutes or so If the bird begins to brown too soon place a piece of tin foil loosely over it.

Step 9

The bird is cooked when a meat thermometer reaches 180 degrees in the thickest part of the thigh Apprx 5 1/2 hours Remove turkey from roaster and let stand for 25 minutes Remove ALL the stuffing from the bird, Carve and Serve (Left over turkey and stuffing can be frozen as long as you freeze them separately) Make gravy in the roasting pan while the turkey is resting (a separate recipe will be posted or try one that is already posted).