• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Crunchy Creamy Sweet

Easy Recipes for Busy Parents

  • All Recipes
  • Air Fryer
  • Asian
  • Dinner
  • Instant Pot
  • Dessert
  • About Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
  • Contact
×
You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Holidays / Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving Turkey

Published: Nov 3, 2020 · Modified: Nov 26, 2021 by Anna 4 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Sharing is caring!

101 shares
  • Share
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

This is the best Thanksgiving Turkey with a delicious seasoning mix. I am sharing my very easy step-by-step recipe and all of my tips so you can make a juicy and flavorful turkey for your holiday dinner!

Serve this turkey with my classic stuffing and turkey gravy. Don't forget to save some meat to make tetrazzini!

Turkey on a white platter.

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

If this is your first year of cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving or you want to improve your technique, this recipe will help you make the juiciest and most flavorful turkey ever! It's perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks. My seasoning mix with butter and oil gives it a crispy skin during roasting in the oven. This turkey will shine on your holiday table!

Ingredients:

  • whole turkey: mine was almost 14lbs
  • olive oil
  • butter
  • paprika
  • herbs: poultry mix (sage, rosemary, thyme)
  • salt and pepper
Ingredients for roasted turkey on the board.

Kitchen tools you will need:

  • roasting pan or pan with a rack
  • baster
  • small mixing bowl
  • measuring spoons
  • meat thermometer

How to make Thanksgiving turkey?

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Most likely you will have to remove one rack from your oven. This is the time to do it, so you don't have to find a place for a hot rack later.
  • Start by assembling the spices. Melt butter and mix it with oil. Add spices and stir in.
  • Place thawed turkey in a roasting pan. Tuck the wings under the bird. Tie the legs together.
  • Place onion, garlic and lemons in the cavity of the bird and around the turkey.
  • Pour the spice oil mix onto the skin and rub or brush it all over the bird.
  • Place in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Lower the temperature to 375 degrees and roast for 3 to 4 hours, depending on the size of the turkey. Baste it every 30 minutes. If the top is browning too fast, cover it with aluminum foil.
  • Check the temperature of the turkey at least 40 minutes before the end of cooking time.
  • Once done, remove the bird from the oven. Let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes, before carving. It will be easier to handle and it will let the juices redistribute in the meat.
Raw turkey in a roasting pan.

How to prepare turkey for roasting?

  • Thaw it out in the fridge, for about 2 days.
  • Start by removing the neck and giblets bag (it's inside the bird). Discard.
  • Tuck the wings under the bird.
  • Tie the legs together with kitchen twine or with a sewing thread.
  • Place in a large pan with a rack or in a roaster pan (the bottom is raised so the juices can drip to the sides).

Should I brine the turkey?

I highly recommend brining turkey. It will ensure the meat is juicy and flavorful. The vegetables used for brining can be added to the bird before roasting.

Should I stuff turkey before roasting?

I recommend roasting turkey and baking the stuffing separately. They both will cook better. Stuffed turkeys need to cook longer which can lead to overcooking and dry turkey and soggy stuffing.

Would you like to save this recipe?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

What pan is best for roasting turkey?

This will depend on the size of the turkey. If you are cooking a smaller bird, a simple 13"x9" with a rack will work just fine. My turkey was almost 14 lbs and I used the disposable aluminum roasting pan with handles. The way the bottom is formed, the turkey sits just slightly higher so the juices can drip to the sides, which makes for easy basting.

How long should you cook Thanksgiving turkey?

The general recommendation is to cook the turkey for 15 to 20 minutes per pound. The turkey is done when the internal temperature shows at least 165 degrees F.

How do I know if the turkey is done?

Some turkeys have a white pin inserted. When it pops up, the bird is done. However, you should always check it with a meat thermometer. Insert it into the meatiest part of the bird (like the breast), making sure not to touch the bone. If the thermometer shows at least 165 degrees F, the bird is done.

Cooked turkey on a plate.

What to serve with Thanksgiving turkey?

  • Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing
  • Turkey Gravy made without pan drippings
  • Green Bean Casserole from scratch
  • Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Homemade Cranberry Sauce
  • Sweet Corn Casserole
  • Easy Hashbrown Casserole
  • Candied Sweet Potatoes

How to use leftover turkey?

Most likely, after cutting off the legs, wings, and breasts, you will end up with meat stuck to the carcass. You can easily get a cup of two of meat from it. Most recipes with leftover turkey will call for 2 cups of the meat. You can make easy delicious Turkey Salad for lunch, Turkey Tetrazzini in just one pot, or Leftover Turkey Soup.

What to do with the carcass?

I keep the carcass to make turkey stock the next day. You can use a large stockpot or the Instant Pot. I always use my pressure cooker.

Sliced turkey breast on a plate.

More holiday recipes:

  • Turkey Brine
  • How to Carve a Turkey
  • Leftover Turkey Soup
  • Turkey Stock
  • Christmas Ham
  • Baked Ham with Honey Glaze

For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Holiday Category.

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment!

Turkey on a white platter.

Thanksgiving Turkey

Author: Anna
This is the best Thanksgiving Turkey with a delicious seasoning mix. I am sharing my very easy step-by-step recipe and all of my tips so you can make a juicy and flavorful turkey for your holiday dinner!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Total Time 3 hours hrs 50 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 13 servings
Calories 425 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 10 to 13 lbs whole turkey
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 4 teaspoons poultry herbs mix see note
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 garlic bulb
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 3 celery stalks
  • 3 carrots

Instructions
 

  • Brine turkey for 12 to 18 hours before roasting. Follow my Turkey Brine recipe.
  • Chop carrots and celery into large chunks. Slice onion into thick slices. Slice whole garlic bulb in half lenghtwise. Slice onion into thick slices.
  • Preheat the oven to 450° F. Most likely you will have to remove one rack from your oven. This is the time to do it, so you don’t have to find a place for a hot rack later.
  • Mix paprika, herbs, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Melt butter and mix it with oil. Add spices and stir in.
  • Place thawed turkey in a roasting pan. Tuck the wings under the bird. Tie the legs together.
  • Place onion, garlic and lemons in the cavity of the bird and around the turkey. Repeat with carrots and celery.
  • Pour the spice oil mix onto the skin and rub or brush it all over the bird.
  • Place turkey in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Lower the temperature to 375° F and roast for 3 to 4 hours, depending on the size of the turkey. Baste it every 30 minutes. If the top is browning too fast, cover it with aluminum foil.
  • Check the temperature of the turkey at least 40 minutes before the end of cooking time.
  • Once done, remove the bird from the oven. Let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes, before carving. It will be easier to handle and it will let the juices redistribute in the meat.
  • Cut off the legs firts, then wings, then the breasts.
  • Remove meat from carcass and freeze for later. Use carcass to make stock, if desired.

Notes

  • For poultry mix, chop sage leaves, rosemary and thyme.
  • Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
  • The general recommendation is to cook the turkey for 15 to 20 minutes per pound.
  • Some turkeys have a white pin inserted. When it pops up, the bird is done. However, you should always check it with a meat thermometer. Insert it into the meatiest part of the bird (like the breast), making sure not to touch the bone. If the thermometer shows at least 165 degreed F, the bird is done.

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 676mg | Potassium: 653mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2726IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

More Holiday Recipes

  • Square image of hot chocolate in a white mug on a saucer, with whipped cream and shaved chocolate on top.
    Italian Hot Chocolate
  • Square image of four muffins made with stuffing on a gray plate.
    Leftover Stuffing Muffins
  • Stacked peanut butter eggs on a board.
    Peanut Butter Easter Eggs
  • Peanut butter cookies with kisses candy on a plate.
    Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 3 votes

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Jola says

    November 19, 2024 at 10:50 am

    5 stars
    A good and juicy turkey has always been a huge challenge for me. Not so when I use your recipe. Everything clearly described. Lots of valuable tips. The recipe I've been looking for!

    Reply
  2. Ashley F. says

    November 04, 2020 at 8:24 pm

    5 stars
    The BEST turkey! So moist on the inside and flavorful!

    Reply
  3. Katie says

    November 04, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    5 stars
    It's so good! My family loves this.

    Reply
  4. Beth says

    November 04, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    This looks so delicious and yummy! I can't wait to make this recipe on Thanksgiving! I'm always looking for a new recipe for turkey to try!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Profile photo of the author of Crunchy Creamy Sweet website.

Hi! I'm Anna!

Thank you for stopping by! Here you will find easy and delicious recipes for busy people. My recipes are made with everyday ingredients and all of them are family-approved!

read more...

Easy Dinners

  • Square image of chicken in teriyaki sauce, rice and broccoli in a white bowl.
    Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe

  • Asian chicken on rice.
    Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe

  • Square image of creamy garlic chicken in a skillet.
    Creamy Garlic Chicken

  • Lemon garlic chicken in a skillet.
    Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

  • Chicken in mushroom garlic sauce in pan.
    Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken

  • Beef noodle casserole in a baking dish.
    Cheesy Beef Noodle Casserole

Popular Recipes

  • Cooked shrimp on a white plate.
    Air Fryer Shrimp

  • Square image of four Russet potatoes on a rack in the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
    Instant Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe

  • Noodles with peanut sauce and green onions in a white bowl with chopsticks.
    Thai Peanut Noodles Recipe

  • Square image of chicken nuggets with parsley on a white plate.
    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

  • Pasta salad with tomatoes and bacon in a glass serving bowl.
    BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

  • Square image of KFC coleslaw in a white bowl with red plaid napkin.
    KFC Coleslaw Copycat Recipe

Featured in

Logos of publications like yahoo, Parade magazine, MSN.

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2024 Crunchy Creamy Sweet All rights reserved.

© Copyright 2025 - Crunchy Creamy Sweet - Privacy Policy

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.