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This Thanksgiving Turkey recipe is practically foolproof – it’s flavor packed and so tender and juicy with a golden, crispy skin. With my step-by-step tutorial, even first time cooks can pull this roast turkey recipe off stress-free!

Thanksgiving turkey, roasted and stuffed with onions, in a roasting pan
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About This Recipe

This perfect Thanksgiving Turkey will be the star of your family’s holiday dinner. Of course, the best turkey recipe needs the best Thanksgiving side dishes, like my Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Stuffing, and classic Green Bean Casserole.

This juicy turkey recipe isn’t complicated at all. There’s no brining, no basting, no weird cooking techniques. Just simple instructions to give you great results every time while your bird roasts stress-free.

In this post, you’ll learn tons of tips and tricks, plus step-by-step instructions for the most perfectly tender, incredibly juicy, totally stress-free, best Thanksgiving turkey recipe, ever! Your holiday meal is about to get a whole lot easier.

roasted turkey with crispy skin on a cutting board

Why This Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe Works

  • Itโ€™s easy! Even a first-time cook can make a delicious turkey for Thanksgiving, or any day, by following this easy turkey recipe. 
  • Butter keeps it moist. Placing butter underneath the turkey skin adds extra flavor and keeps the meat moist and juicy.
  • Foil keeps it from drying out. Covering the top with foil during the first few hours of cooking helps to keep the breast meat from drying out since the turkey legs take a little longer to cook.
  • High heat crisps the skin. Turning up the heat during the last hour ensures golden, crispy skin without drying out the meat.

Recipe walkthrough

How To Cook A Turkey: A Step By Step Tutorial

No brining, no basting, just simple ingredients for an exceptionally flavorful Thanksgiving turkey! Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and instructions.

  • The bird – For this recipe and the cooking times that go with it, I used a 12-pound turkey. This is a fairly average size that will feed 8-10 people.
  • Butter – Pats of butter are placed under the skin of each turkey breast. Add even more flavor by using my yummy Garlic Butter.
  • Onion and garlic – peel and stuff inside the cavity of the turkey. You can also add fresh herbs and citrus fruits, like lemon or orange, if you like.
  • Dry Rub – Mix together kosher salt, dried thyme, dried sage, rosemary, paprika, black pepper, and ground mustard and rub into the skin. This is also a delicious seasoning for Roast Chicken.
  • Equipment – A big roasting pan, preferably with a wire rack to hold the roast turkey up above the drippings.

How To Defrost A Turkey

If your turkey is frozen, you will need to completely defrost it in the refrigerator before you even remove any of the packaging. Place your bird in a deep roasting pan in the fridge to catch any juices that may run out.

Resist the urge to thaw in your kitchen sink as this can encourage harmful bacteria to spread. Be sure to start defrosting the turkey a few days before you need to cook it.

How long do you defrost a turkey? A good rule of thumb is to allow 24 hours for every 4 pounds of turkey. So for our 12-pound bird, at least 3-4 days. To be safe I usually give it an extra 12-24 hours.

Once your turkey is fully defrosted, you can prep it for roasting using the recipe below.

How To Prep A Turkey For Roasting

First remove from packaging and remove extra parts. Remove the fully thawed turkey from its packaging. I usually do this in a large container in the kitchen sink. If included, remove the neck and the bag containing the gizzards and giblets. Keep these for making extra stock for the Homemade Turkey Gravy or discard them.

  • Dry the skin. Pat the skin dry with paper towels. Dry skin equals crispy skin!
  • Separate the skin from the breast. Using clean hands, gently lift the skin from the turkey breast starting on the side closest to the legs. Slide your hand underneath, separating the skin from the breast meat. Repeat the process with the other side.
  • Add butter under the skin. Slide 3 pats of butter (1 pat = 1 tablespoon) under the skin on each side and spread it around with your fingers.
  • Add seasoning and aromatics. Mix together the dry rub, sprinkle it all over the outside of the turkey, and press it into the skin. Sprinkle a little inside the cavity, too. Place the onions and garlic inside the cavity, then transfer the whole bird to a roasting pan with a rack.

Roasting The Turkey

These instructions are for how to cook a 12-pound turkey in the oven. If your bird is bigger or smaller, you will need to adjust the cooking time based on the provided instructions. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full instructions, or check out the handy chart below.

  1. Preheat your oven. We start with the oven at 325โ„‰, keeping it low and slow for 2 hours (depending on the size) so the meat gets moist and tender, then crank it up to 400 for the last hour to get that crispy skin.
  2. Cover. Cut a piece of foil large enough to cover the turkey breasts. Press it down and mold the foil to the shape of the breasts. This will keep the breasts from drying out. You’ll remove it before the turkey is finished cooking to brown the skin.
  3. Roast the turkey in the oven at 325โ„‰ for 2 hours, adding additional time depending on the size (use the chart below). Then turn the heat up to 400โ„‰, remove the foil, and roast until the cooked turkey reaches the optimal temperature. Use our handy guide below to adjust the time. (Be sure to pin this chart to save it for later!).
  4. Let the turkey rest. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 15-20 minutes or up to 40 minutes. This will give you plenty of time to cook a Sweet Potato Casserole or warm up some dinner rolls.
onions stuffed in a roast turkey in a roasting pan

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pounds of turkey do I need?

A pound of turkey per person will feed your guests and leave them satisfied. But if you want leftovers, I recommend 1.5-2 pounds per adult and about half a pound per child. I personally think leftovers are awesome, because you can makeย Turkey Tetrazzini or Turkey and Stuffing Casserole.

How long do you cook a turkey?

A 12 pound turkey takes about 3 hours to cook. Start at 325โ„‰ for 2 hours, then increase the temperature to 400โ„‰ for another hour. For a larger bird, increase the initial cooking time (at 325โ„‰) by 15 minutes per pound.

How do I keep my turkey moist?

One of the best tricks we have for keeping your cooked turkey juicy and moist is butter! Stuffing pats of butter under the skin creates a beautifully crisp skin, but it also melts and keeps the meat super moist and juicy.

Another trick I use is placing aluminum foil over the turkey breasts to help dissipate some of the heat and lock in moisture. Since dark meat takes longer to cook than light meat, this method lets the thighs and legs get their roast on while the breast gently cooks.

How do you know when the turkey is done?

A turkey should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165โ„‰. Insert an instant-read meat thermometer in the base of the breast meat or the thickest part of the thigh, careful not to touch any bone. Those are the absolute basics.

The actual length of time it takes to reach the correct temperature will depend on the temperature of the bird before cooking, its size, and your oven temperature.

turkey leg and slice of breast meat on a white plate

Expert Tips, Do’s and Don’ts

Every year we get lots of questions about how to cook a turkey, so we’ve put them all in one place. Hopefully, these helpful hints will take the guesswork out of cooking your turkey!

  • Don’t wash your turkey. Washing poultry is a no-no and will just contaminate your sink. Remove from the packaging and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Don’t cook stuffing inside your turkey. If you cook stuffing inside your turkey, the meat will be dry and overcooked before the stuffing reaches a temperature that’s safe to eat. Instead, stuff the turkey with aromatics like onions, garlic, celery, herbs, or lemons that will add a ton of flavor to the bird as well as to the drippings for pan gravy, and cook your stuffing in a casserole dish. You can try my yummy recipes for Classic Homemade Stuffing, Cornbread Stuffing, Sausage Stuffing, or Bacon and Onion Stuffing.
  • Don’t baste or brine your turkey. These extra steps are really unnecessary for achieving the perfect roast turkey. Basting requires constantly opening your oven, which costs you valuable heat and extends the cooking time. Brining isn’t necessary with a high-quality turkey.
  • Do save the turkey drippings. The drippings are used to make the gravy, and the flavor will complement beautifully.
  • Do thaw your turkey. Use the handy guide that I shared above for how to thaw your turkey. If your turkey is frozen, it may not cook all the way through, leaving you with a raw turkey in the center while the outside looks done.
  • Do have a meat thermometer handy. Test the temperature of your turkey by inserting the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. It should register at least 160โ„‰. Remove it from the oven and tent with foil. It will continue cooking while tented and should quickly reach 165โ„‰.
turkey breast, spoon with gravy, green beans, mashe dpotatoes

Storage Tips

Make Ahead, Storage, and Freezing

Make Ahead: Once your turkey is fully thawed, you prep it for roasting up to 24 hours in advance. Add the butter, seasoning, and aromatics, then cover loosely with foil and place in the fridge overnight. Take it out about 30 minutes before you put it in the oven so it can shake off the chill.

Storage: If you’re going to eat your leftovers within 3-4 days, store in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the fridge. Use for sandwiches, BLT Turkey Wraps, tacos, and Turkey Soup.

Freezing: One of the reasons I love turkey leftovers is because I can keep some in my freezer and easily toss it in Turkey Shepherdโ€™s Pie or in soups.

Reheating: If you’re just looking to reheat a late-night Thanksgiving dinner leftovers plate, you can do that in the microwave. If it’s frozen, thaw it overnight in the fridge before adding to other recipes.

Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Your Thanksgiving turkey may be the best ever, but you’re still going to need to fill some supporting roles. Here are some of our favorite Thanksgiving sides that will compliment your cooked turkey in the best way!

Side Dish Recipes:

101+ Thanksgiving
Side Dishes

Find all the sides you could possibly want for the perfect Thanksgiving menu!

sliced turkey breast on a white plate, turkey on a cutting board

Need a smaller turkey this year? Try my other easy turkey recipes for cooking a turkey breast in the air fryer, roasting in the oven, or even an Instant Pot Turkey Breast. Any of these recipes would be a great way to feed a smaller crowd, or to add some extra servings of turkey to your meal.

Recipe

Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

4.97 from 175 votes
A Thanksgiving Turkey that's so juicy with a crispy skin. With an easy step-by-step tutorial, even first time cooks can pull this turkey recipe off stress free!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings 12 people

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 12 pound Turkey thawed
  • 6 tablespoons Unsalted butter cut into 1 Tablespoon pats. Chilled, but soft enough to spread under the skin.
  • 1 1/2 Yellow onions peeled and halved
  • 4 Garlic cloves peeled

Dry Rub:

  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons Dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Dried sage
  • 1 teaspoon Dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground mustard
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Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 325โ„‰.
  • In a small bowl, combine the salt, thyme, sage, paprika, pepper, and ground mustard until evenly incorporated.
  • Remove the turkey from its packaging. From the bird's cavity, remove the neck and the bag containing the gizzards and heart. (You can keep these items to make stock or discard them.) Note – I do this in a large, clean container in the sink, like a wash basin or a small cooler.
  • Use a few paper towels to dry off the skin of the bird and inside the cavity.
  • Lift the skin over the turkey breast (on the side closest to the legs) and slide your hand under the skin separating it from the breast meat. Do this on both sides of the breast.
  • Insert three pats of butter under the skin on one side of the turkey breast spreading them around evenly. Repeat on the other side.
  • Sprinkle the dry rub all over the turkey – breast, legs, wings, anything you can see. Using your hands press the rub into the skin a little. If you have any extra rub sprinkle it inside the cavity.
  • Place the onion halves and garlic cloves inside the turkey’s cavity.
  • Transfer the bird to your roasting pan. (I like to use a pan with a rack to keep the bottom of the turkey from getting soggy.)
  • Take a good sized piece of foil and place it over just the turkey breast. (You want to make sure to the foil piece is big enough to fit over the whole breast.) Press down and mold the foil to the breast. Let the ends stick out if the foil's a bit big.
  • Place the turkey in the oven and roast for 2 hours. Carefully remove the foil from the turkey. Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees and cook the turkey for another hour, or until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 165โ„‰ and the skin is golden and crispy.
  • Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 30-45 minutes before carving.

Notes

This recipe is for a 12 pound bird. You will add 15 minutes per pound at the 325โ„‰ cooking time. The temperature increase at the end does not change. Here is a handy list of how long to cook your turkey at different weights:
  • 10 pounds: 1 hour 30 minutes at 325โ„‰; 1 hour at 400โ„‰.
  • 12 pounds: 2 hours at 325โ„‰; 1 hour at 400โ„‰.
  • 14 pounds: 2 hours, 30 minutes at 325โ„‰; 1 hour at 400โ„‰.
  • 16 pounds: 3 hours at 325โ„‰; 1 hour at 400โ„‰.
  • 18 pounds: 3 hours, 30 minutes at 325โ„‰; 1 hour at 400โ„‰.
  • 20 pounds: 3 hours, 45 minutes at 325โ„‰; 1 hour at 400โ„‰.
If you have questions, please be sure to read the entire post – we answer lots of questions and offer tons of helpful tips and tricks! Don’t see an answer to your question here? Feel free to leave a comment or send an email to kristin@yellowblissroad.com.
Be sure to save some of the drippings to make my turkey gravy!

Nutrition

Calories: 454kcalProtein: 70gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 232mgSodium: 361mgPotassium: 721mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 180IUCalcium: 35mgIron: 3mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

Don’t leave without stopping by and checking out our Holiday Gift Ideas!

Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.

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Comments

  1. Erin Propst says:

    Made it at Thanksgiving and it was a hit! Getting ready to make it again since we got a deal on a turkey.

    1. Kristin says:

      That’s awesome Erin! Thanks for stopping by.

  2. Sharon says:

    I made this turkey recipe for the first time and it was a big hit. But I did add chicken broth after the first hour. It was very moist and the skin seasonings were perfect. Itโ€™s very similar to my air fryer chicken seasonings. Thanks so much for a fabulous recipe. My go to from now on.

    1. Kristin says:

      You are so welcome Sharon! Awesome feedback, thanks for stopping by.

  3. Kelly Fisher says:

    This was an awesome recipe! Thank you! This year was my first time cooking a turkey. My family is usually pretty disinterested in eating turkey, but this year people were raving about it! Everything was right on–taste, moisture, timing. The only thing I added was a little apple cider in the pan. Thank you!

    1. Kristin says:

      You are so welcome Kelly! Awesome feedback, thanks for stopping by.

  4. Ally says:

    Thank you so much for sharing your fabulous recipe. I followed this for todayโ€™s Thanksgiving turkey and it turned out perfectly!

    1. Kristin says:

      You are very welcome Ally! Thanks for stopping by.

  5. Angela Lee says:

    Just took out the turkey, turned out perfect! Thank you sooooo much

    1. Kristin says:

      You are so welcome Angela! Thanks for stopping by.

  6. Despina Hira says:

    This recipe was easy to follow and DELICIOUS! It was the first time we made a turkey and the step by step was very helpful. The turkey was so moist and flavorful. We got so many compliments! Will definitely save for future use and share with family and friends!

    1. Kristin says:

      Awesome feedback Despina! Thank you so much for stopping by to share.

  7. Kristin R says:

    Hello! Iโ€™ve used this recipe for at least 4 years now and love it! I always forget how to calculate cook time for larger birds though. We have about a 24# one this time. What do you suggest for the split time between the two temps? I plan to double the rest of the recipe ingredients too. Thanks!

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      Still the same amount of time at the end. You don’t want more than an hour at the higher temperature.

      1. Kristin L Russell says:

        Iโ€™m going to do 4 hours at the lower temp and an hour at the higher one. I hope itโ€™s long enough! Iโ€™ll have to make notes for next year so I donโ€™t forget how it went!

  8. Sudip says:

    Great Tips! s
    I used my uncle’s recipe. Thaw a frozen turkey for 4 days around 21 lbs. Put celery, carrots, onion, garlic, tomatoes diced, and stuffing. Put the turkey in oven bag. Cook it at 400 degrees for approximately 4 and 1/2 hours. It comes out absolutely golden crisp outside and tender moist inside. The trick I believe is the oven bag.
    Thanks,

  9. Mel says:

    This was the very first recipe I have used to make a turkey & probably will be my forever recipe to follow. It’s delicious & juicy!! One year I had drippings & it was so good!!!!! *cries* but I don’t know why some years I get drippings & some years I don’t. Regardless, this recipe is too good to even want to try another lol. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR RECIPE!!! I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      I have had that same issue at times, which is why I heartily recommend that you have some turkey broth on hand for make the gravy, then add whatever drippings you can get. It’s also a great reason to save the giblets for the gray to add more flavor.

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