How to Make the Perfect Turkey
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Today I am sharing my method for how to make the perfect turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas! It's easy and completely fool-proof!
Author:
Recipe type: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Serves: 11-12
Ingredients
  • 1 (14 to 16 pound) frozen turkey
For the aromatics:
  • 1 red apple, sliced in large pieces
  • ½ onion, sliced in large pieces
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 sprigs rosemary
  • 6 leaves sage
  • Canola oil, for rubbing outside
Instructions
  1. to 3 days before roasting:
  2. Begin thawing the turkey in the refrigerator or in a cooler kept at 38 degrees F.  Remove innards once thawed and rinse inside and out with cold water.
  3. Place the turkey on roasting rack inside a half sheet pan or in a roasting pan and pat dry with paper towels.
  4. Combine the apple, onion, cinnamon stick, and 1 cup of water in a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Add steeped aromatics to the turkey's cavity along with the rosemary and sage. Tuck the wings underneath the bird and coat the skin liberally with canola oil.  This will make the skin crisp up and brown nicely.
  5. Roast the turkey on lowest level of the oven at 500 degrees F for 30 minutes. Insert a probe thermometer into thickest part of the breast and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Set the thermometer alarm (if available) to 165 degrees F.
  6. A 14 to 16 pound bird should require a total of about 2½ hours of roasting.  Let the turkey rest, loosely covered with foil for 15-30 minutes before carving.  This will lock in the juices and keep the meat moist.
  7. Enjoy!
Recipe by Wishes and Dishes at https://wishesndishes.com/lets-talk-turkey/