Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
1,116 Comments
Updated Oct 11, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Are you ready to make the BEST Thanksgiving turkey recipe? Trust me, it’s easier than you think!
You don’t need to brine and you don’t need to baste. Just a few simple steps and you’ll have a perfectly golden, juicy, and insanely flavorful roasted turkey recipe that’ll impress your family and guests.
There’s something about cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving that intimidates a lot of people. I totally get it. I remember being intimidated the first time I cooked a turkey. It’s because you don’t want to screw up a big, holiday meal with all your friends and family over…am I right?
But here’s the funny thing, cooking a turkey is actually super easy! Think of it as cooking a really large chicken. It might take longer to cook, but other than that, the process is pretty darn similar.
Sure, some people get fancy with expensive equipment, gadgets, smokers, and flavors, but you don’t need any of that to make a classic, ultra-flavorful, and juicy turkey. Just follow my Thanksgiving game plan so you know what to buy and cook when. Then follow the recipe and tips below. Easy!
Roast Turkey Ingredients
Besides the turkey, you just need herbs, aromatics, and a little seasoning. Simple really is best!
- Turkey: Any whole frozen (or fresh) turkey at the market works. For details on what size is best, read below.
- Fresh Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, and sage are classic poultry herbs. And while you can use dried, I do think fresh imparts a more robust flavor.
- Onion and Garlic: The onion will go inside the turkey and the garlic will be rubbed on the outside. But together, these aromatics will infuse the meat and skin with savory goodness.
- Lemon: Adding lemon wedges inside the turkey helps keep the meat moist and adds a zing of freshness.
- Butter: A generous amount of butter makes for a juicy turkey without the need to brine. Now there’s some time savings!
- Salt and Pepper: For that perfectly seasoned bird.
I also put vegetables under my turkey (like celery, carrots, and onion) while it’s roasting. This isn’t required, but I do recommend it. Not only will it amp up your turkey recipe, but it will take your turkey gravy flavor to the next level too!
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
What Size Turkey to Buy?
The general rule of thumb is 1 pound of turkey per person. Or 1 ½ pounds of turkey per person if you want leftovers (and we always want leftovers, right?). It’s always best to have a little extra turkey than not enough, so I recommend:
- Less than 8 people: While it will be more turkey than you need, I recommend buying a 10 to 12 pound turkey. Anything smaller and you’re paying more for bones rather than meat. Remember, you can freeze turkey leftovers.
- For 8 people: Get a 10 to 12 pound turkey
- For 12 people: Get a 14 to 18 pound turkey
- for 16 people: Get an 18 to 24 pound turkey
- More than 16 people: It’s best to buy two turkeys rather than one monster sized turkey.
Don’t Forget to Thaw The Turkey
The biggest mistake people make is buying a frozen turkey the day before Thanksgiving. Don’t do that! Remember that a big turkey is going to take a while to defrost in the fridge. It takes about 24 hours per 5 pounds of turkey to properly thaw. My recommendation – buy your turkey at least a week before Thanksgiving. Then, let it thaw in the fridge 3 to 4 days before the big day.
No, You Don’t Need to Wash It
All you’ll do is contaminate your sink and kitchen and make a mess. We’ve talked about this before with chicken, and the same applies here. Any bacteria on the turkey will get killed in the oven while baking.
Don’t Cook Stuffing In the Turkey
If you want perfectly cooked stuffing and perfectly cooked turkey, cook them separately. If you overfill the cavity of the turkey it slows down the cooking time. And besides, it’s better to fill the turkey with aromatics and herbs that give it flavor and moisture. So cook your stuffing in a casserole dish instead.
Equipment You’ll Need
There are three basic kitchen items you’ll need to roast your turkey – a roasting tray, thermometer, and a sharp knife.
- Roasting Tray: You can buy an expensive roasting tray, a solid mid-priced roasting tray, or use a cheapie disposable roasting tray. They all work just fine.
- Thermometer: The same goes for thermometers. You can use a probe thermometer (that you leave in the turkey), an instant read thermometer (what I most often use), or a basic meat thermometer.
- Knife: Of course, a sharp knife is essential! I have this carving knife and fork set.
How to Prepare and Cook Turkey
Thaw and remove giblets. Once your turkey is thawed, let it rest at room temperature for an hour. Remove the bag of giblets and the neck, found in the large cavity and sometimes the smaller neck cavity (check both areas just to make sure you got everything out). You can save these items for gravy or discard them.
Pat dry and stuff. Pat the turkey dry with a paper towel. Removing any extra moisture ensures extra crispy skin. Then, season the inside of the turkey generously with salt and pepper, and stuff the cavity with quartered onion, lemon, and fresh sprigs of herbs. If anything, go lighter on the sage than the other herbs, as it’s more potent.
Make herb butter. Make the herb butter by stirring together the softened butter, garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme in a small bowl.
Spread herb butter all over. Loosen the skin of the turkey on top of the breasts by gently sliding your fingers underneath. Add about 1/3 of the herb compound butter and spread it evenly underneath the skin. Spread the remainder of the herb butter all around the outside of the turkey.
Don’t truss the legs! Resist the urge to tie the turkey legs together. Yes, it makes the turkey picture perfect, BUT trussing prevents the air from circulating properly, leaving the meat to cook unevenly. So even though your mom (and likely grandmother) did it, skip it.
Cook the turkey. Place the turkey on a roasting rack or on a bed of veggies (or both – which is what I do). Then there’s only one thing left to do – cook the turkey!
How Long to Cook a Turkey
Ready for good news? Because we didn’t stuff the turkey, it will cook about 30 minutes faster. On average, plan for about 15 minutes per pound of turkey. But remember the BEST gauge is the temperature. You want to cook the turkey to 158° to 160°F (measure at the thickest part of the thigh or breast). But here’s a guideline:
- For a 10 to 14 pound turkey: 2 ½ hrs to 3 ½ hrs
- For a 14 to 18 pound turkey: 3 ½ hrs to 4 ½ hrs
- For a 18 to 22 pound turkey: 4 ½ hrs to 5 ½ hrs
Keep an eye on your turkey when it’s about 75% done. Then, check the temperature every 10 minutes. Remember that ovens can cook slightly hotter or cooler. If you notice the skin browning too quickly, you can always place aluminum foil on top.
Always Let Your Turkey Rest
Once you remove the turkey from the oven it’s imperative that you let it rest for at least 30 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute in the meat, making for a juicer turkey. Better to have a juicy turkey than a sopping wet cutting board!
Carve and Serve Your Beautiful Bird
The only thing left at this point is to admire your gorgeous turkey, carve it, make some flavorful turkey gravy and wow your guests. Just follow my tips on how to carve a turkey. For a complete Thanksgiving spread, consider serving the turkey with:
- Cranberry Sauce
- Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Sweet Potatoes or Mashed Cauliflower (for a low-carb option)
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Honey Glazed Carrots
- Creamed Corn
- Healthy Green Bean Casserole
- Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Need help with a timeline on the big day? Check out my Thanksgiving game plan, and peruse the Thanksgiving menu I’ve put together. I’ve also got a prime rib or honey baked ham if turkey isn’t your jam. And If you’ve got turkey leftovers (which are always the best), transform them into a turkey cobb salad or turkey casserole!
Common Questions
Your bird may be condensating or your butter may be too cold and firm. Make sure your turkey has come to room temperature for an hour and pat it with paper towels to remove moisture. You can also soften the butter for 5 to 10 seconds in the microwave, then it should spread easily.
If you’ve checked the temperature in the thickest part of the breast and thigh and it’s at 165F then it’s cooked through. If it’s not golden enough, you can always turn on your top broiler for just a couple of minutes.
Lower the temperature of your oven and cover it with aluminum foil. Also, I recommend buying an oven thermometer to double check if your oven is cooking too hot.
Make sure your turkey isn’t positioned too high in your oven. If you can, lower your rack. Then, cover just that part with aluminum foil.
It’s normal for there to be some pink on cooked turkey, especially if you have a young bird. As the USDA says, you need to go by temperature, not color. As long as your turkey is cooked to 165°F it’s safe to eat.
I’m pretty confident that with this tutorial, you’ll become a Thanksgiving turkey master. So if you make it, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey (Best No-Fail Recipe)
Description
Video
Equipment
- Roasting Rack This is the one I've personally used for years.
- Carving Knife A quality carving knife is key!
- Probe Thermometer An essential tool for cooking the best turkey.
Ingredients
Roast Turkey
- 12 to 18 pound turkey (*see notes below about using a larger turkey), fully thawed
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 to 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 to 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 to 2 sprigs fresh sage
- kosher salt and black pepper
Herb Butter
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
Vegetables Under Turkey (optional, but recommended)
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered
- 3 celery ribs, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Allow your turkey to come to room temperature by removing it from the fridge 1 hour before roasting. Then, remove the giblets.
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and pat the outside of the turkey dry with paper towels. Season the cavity of the turkey with salt and pepper. Then fill it with the onion, lemon, and fresh herbs. If your turkey is smaller, don't overfill the cavity as you do want some airflow.
- In a small bowl, make the herb butter by stirring the softened butter, garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme together.
- Loosen the skin of the turkey gently by sliding your fingers underneath. Then rub about 1/3 of the herb butter between the skin and turkey breasts.
- Rub the remaining herb butter all over the entire outside of the turkey.
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack or on top of a bed of vegetables (if you don't have a rack), or both! Tuck the wing tips under the turkey to prevent them from burning.
- Place the turkey in the oven and roast for about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 158°-160°F. You don't need to baste the turkey, but do keep an eye on it after it's about 75% done. If you notice the skin browning too quickly, you can place aluminum foil on top. To verify the temperature, place a thermometer into the meatiest part of the thigh or breast. The turkey will continue to cook once it's removed from the oven and will rise in temperature to 165°F, after it's rested.
- Let the turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making for a deliciously juicy turkey. To keep the turkey warm, you can cover the turkey with aluminum foil on the counter.
- Carve and serve the turkey. And make sure to save the juices from the pan to make turkey gravy!
Lisa’s Tips
- You can certainly use a turkey larger than 18 pounds, but you may need a little more herb butter and you’ll need to cook it longer. If your turkey is less than 12 pounds, you may have a little extra herb butter, so you might want to reduce the quantity.
- It’s common for ovens to vary by up to 25 degrees, with some cooking hotter and others cooking cooler (my oven cooks cooler). So it’s best to verify how your oven cooks (before the big turkey day), by purchasing an oven thermometer and testing.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
The herb butter gave the turkey such a delicious flavor! It was really easy to follow this recipe and the results were amazing!
Happy to hear this recipe was easy to follow along to Mai!
This turkey is so good, the recipe is easy enough to follow and the turkey is so tasty.
Hi Belinda – wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
While this recipe resulted in a pretty good turkey it wasn’t as juicy as I was hoping it would be, especially the breasts. Very similar to a recipe we usually make but definitely dryer. And that could be my fault with maybe not sticking the thermometer in the right spot for accurate temperatures. Anyway, was alright but sadly I think we will stick with our tried and true recipe.
Hi Felishia – making sure the turkey cooks to the right temperature is definitely key. But thanks for giving this recipe a try!
I tried this recipe with a 3 lb Turkey, since that is all that was left in the store. I had to reduce the roast time to about 1 1/2 hours, busy mostly watched the skin to try an match that in the video and picture. The Turkey came out juicy and flavorful. My favorite was the rosemary. The skin was crispy on all the right places. My family of four (me, husband, 4 year old, and 1 year old) really enjoyed it. The butter really kept the Turkey from drying out. I used the leftovers to make a Turkey soup with meat seasoning, celery, carrots, and onion. That has since been consumed too. Thank you for the recipe. It was a very easy, no fuss one to do. I’ve only made one other Turkey that was bribed and roasted in a bag. I really enjoyed how much quicker it was to do this one.
Thrilled to hear the whole family enjoyed this roasted turkey! And yes, I was hoping to make this recipe as easy as possible without worrying about brining :)
I absolutely love your recipes and videos! You make everything look so easy and beautiful. You’ve definitely helped me to find a love for cooking again. Our herbed Turkey came out sooo yummy!!! Thank you so much for all of the hard work you put in to create the awesome videos that put fun into cooking and creating 😊
Thrilled to hear I’ve been able to inspire in the kitchen! Can’t wait to share what’s in store :) Happy holidays Sharon!
Roasted a 3 lb Turkey for my family of four. I had to reduce the cooking time to about 1.5 hours. 45 minutes was too short for this size. I watched the skin to make sure I didn’t overcook it. The internal temperature was a little over 160F, but it still turned out extremely juicy and flavorful!! The skin was crispy in the right places. My 4 year old daughter, husband, and even 1 year old gobbled it up! I used the leftovers to make a soup. So delicious. Thank you for such an easy to follow video! I love watching all your videos. The way you explain recipes and ingredients is educational and also enjoyable. I look forward to every new post! I am so grateful I found your channel. I too have a few auto immune diseases, and adopting your recipes into our family’s meals has been so helpful to improving our overall health.
Wonderful! Happy to hear your Thanksgiving turkey turned out beautifully and that the video + instructions were helpful Diana :) Glad to know I’ve been able to make a positive impact on you and your family’s health as well. Happy holidays!
I was hoping to bring the love of turkey back to Thanksgiving this year and this recipe sure did the trick! My husband even told me that this is the only turkey he will eat from now on. Very grateful for your expertise and willingness to share with all of us. I consider myself a seasoned cook and I wasn’t sure that I would learn much by watching the video but I was amazed!
First I would like to point out that your videos are top notch. Your editing is beautiful and your words are perfect. Right when I would anticipate a question that I had, the video immediately answered it. Each step was very clear. The most anticipated part of the process for me was to see how long it would take for the turkey to cook. It was hard to ignore the time, but in doing so and in focusing on the temperature of the breast, this turkey turned out absolutely amazing and every single bite was moist and so incredibly flavorful. Every single family member commented about how flavorful and juicy it was – even the kids! I am so grateful for all of your work on this recipe and I will certainly adopt this as our yearly turkey recipe. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!
Wow, Alexandria – thanks so much for your kind words! I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying my content, but that the turkey turned out to be a success!
I have been cooking a whole turkey after Thanksgiving for a few years now because I just love turkey meat and this recipe was very easy to follow and delicious! I needed to make a dairy free turkey and I had a vegan ghee I got as a trial so I used it and still tasted so good. Fresh herbs are also the best too! Now I can’t wait to try your other turkey recipes with my leftovers!
Thrilled to hear your turkey turned out perfectly Manami! Hope you enjoy the turkey leftover recipes :)
This turkey recipe was not only delicious, but super easy! I wanted to make a turkey for my husband and I since we weren’t visiting family this year.
Turns out – making a turkey doesn’t have to be as hard as everyone makes it out to be 😉 The resulting turkey was delicious and flavorful- and the recipe even worked with my turkey that (after four days) hadn’t thawed completely! I’ll definitely be making another turkey for the holidays and this will be my go-to in the future.
Thank you, Lisa, for always making the best recipes with the best explanations – that work EVERY time! Oh, and if you reading this – want delicious and easy cranberry sauce to go with this Turkey…she’s got a recipe for that, too! (Spoiler – it’s also delicious hehehe)
Happy to hear you found this process easy to follow along to Megan! Now you have a few Thanksgiving essentials you can always come back to each year :)
I LOVED this turkey recipe. It was my first time making turkey for my husband’s parents, and I did NOT want to mess it up. There are so many turkey recipes out there so I was getting nervous. Thank goodness Lisa came out with a video! I love her other recipes, and I trust her completely.
I am so glad that I trusted her again! The turkey came out perfect. So juicy and flavorful. It came out looking beautifully golden, and my mother-in-law was very impressed. My husband and I went to my parent’s house afterwards, and we were both chuckling because our first-time turkey ended up juicier than my mom’s, even though she has been making turkey for years and does an extensive brining/basting process. I will have to share my secret with my mom for next year!
Thank you, Lisa!
So glad to hear that very first time roasting a turkey was a success! And yep, this one doesn’t need brining or basting thanks to that herb butter mixture :)
I love Lisa’s recipes! This recipe was easy to follow. I had a bit of trouble initially when I found ice in my turkey but Lisa helped me through that. I had some trouble getting the butter mixture to stick so had to baste in the middle of cooking. But she also put troubleshooting tips so it’ll be easy to navigate it in the future. Idk how she does it but fantastic recipe!!
Glad I was able to help Kate! :)
I made this turkey recipe for Thanksgiving last week and it turned out perfectly! Honestly, it was the juiciest turkey I’ve ever had and seasoned just right. I’ve only cooked a whole turkey once before (complete fail), so I decided that this year I’d try again. Couldn’t be easier. If you read and follow this recipe exactly, I’m sure your turkey will turn out great!
So glad to hear this recipe was a success Jennifer! :)
I made this in my tiny tiny kitchen and have never had better turkey. I also did the mashed potatoes and cranberry with honey. I am a terrible cook and this was great.
Glad this recipe was able to help you make the best turkey!
Made this today on my 20 lb turkey. Best turkey I’ve ever had. Of course that is what I expect with anything I cook based on Downshiftology. Perfect dishes every time.
Happy to hear this turkey recipe was a winner Amanda!
I wonder what a temperature in the oven should be? Thank you for the recipe
Hi Tanya – you can find the full instructions above, but the oven temperature is 325F.
Easy to follow and turned out so yummy!
Glad you enjoyed this recipe Keara!
Great, easy recipe! I actually used this to make a whole chicken and just adjusted the cooking time according to the weight! Yummy!!
Good to know this recipe worked well with a whole chicken Lauren :)
Made this turkey recipe and the turkey gravy on Thanksgiving Day for a very small family gathering. My first time ever cooking the turkey. Easy to follow recipe and how-to video. Turkey turned out great! Golden and juicy. My sister even commented on how much she liked the gravy too. Now enjoying the leftovers.
Wonderful! Glad everyone enjoyed this turkey + the gravy :)
I made my Thanksgiving turkey using this recipe and it turned out amazing! My kids and husband loved the turkey so moist and flavorful.
Amazing! Glad this recipe was a success :)
Hi Lisa! I’ve been following you for maybe 2 years and have seen your community grow. I am a big fan and am inspired by your story of leaving your corporate job to lead a more healthy lifestyle. I have done the same and have since been making your Vitamix recipes as well as making my first turkey this year. I truly admire your workmanship and attention to detail to every DSO creative asset you put out there. (blood, sweat and tears!) I’ve been helping my family business grow this past year and can relate in a different way :)
Your recipe for making a turkey is the creme of the crop of recipes. I bought a turkey and I used your recipe and it turned out pretty darn well for a first turkey. Although the 14.5 lb turkey I cooked was only for a party of 2, we are looking forward to all the leftover fun for the week.
I’m looking forward to your Christmas recipes and I have a suggestion if you’re looking for one – SEAFOOD? Do you have a Cioppino recipe?
@jennifertiffany (private) or @grandfranklin_inc (public)
Wow, thanks so much for your kind words Jennifer! I’m so thrilled to hear you can relate on a personal level and have a deep interest to what Downshiftology is all about. Also, happy to know your turkey turned out perfectly this year :)
This was for sure the easiest prep ever for a turkey! Never going back to the brining and crying! Ha! Thank you so much! The turkey came out looking amazing and delicious!
Always looking to make the process easier – but with the same results in texture and flavor :) Glad this recipe turned out great for you Melissa!
Thank you for this easy recipe! Thanksgiving was just me, my husband, and toddler this year, but we wanted to still wanted to have a turkey. It was the juiciest and most flavorful turkey we’ve ever had!
Amazing! Happy to hear this was the best roasted turkey you’ve had :)
I made this turkey for Thanksgiving 2020. It was so easy and delicious. I loved that there was no having to baste or brine the turkey. The herbed butter kept it nice and juicy. Highly recommend this recipe. 🙌🏼
The beauty of that herbed butter :) Glad you loved this recipe!
The title doesn’t disappoint. It’s easy and it’s a delicious recipe. Even for beginners! This was my first time making Thanksgiving dinner and this recipe made the best turkey I’ve ever tasted! My parents didn’t believe that we didn’t need to baste it, but Lisa is absolutely right, no basting required and it’s super moist/super flavorful. Such a crowd pleaser. I’m definitely using this recipe again for Christmas!
I wanted to make this recipe as easy as possible (without basting), so I’m glad this recipe turned out perfectly for your first ever turkey :) Can’t wait for you to make again over Christmas!
First time hosting Thanksgiving dinner and I didn’t even know where to start. The recipe was easy, and watching the video, gave me the confidence on what to be prepared for. Preparing the turkey was much better than expected, and most importantly, it tasted delicious! Our guests were amazed on how tasty it was, and where impressed once I described how easy the recipe was.
So happy to hear your first every turkey was a success with this recipe Cibele!
My turkey looked just like that, and it was BEAUTIFUL!
Soooo juicy! My daughter had to grab a towel from the juices running off it, and that was after an hour of resting it! Thank you again!
Amazing! This definitely is a juicy one, especially when you’re cutting so watch out for that!
Did this with a chicken instead of turkey and turned out great. I am a terrible cook and this came out really well so the recipe is literally foolproof. And delicious.
Great to hear this was a successful with a whole chicken!
The name says it all. Truly the easiest best juiciest turkey we’ve ever made. This will be our go to from now on. Also want to cut the recipe in half and roast our chickens like this as well. Thank you for this game changer!
Of course Megan! Happy to know this recipe was a fool proof one.
Made this for Thanksgiving and it was delicious! The skin was ever so crispy and flavorful. Thank you Lisa for sharing your recipe. I’ll be using this again for future turkeys. 👍❤😊
Wonderful! Happy to hear you’ve found a winning recipe you can come back to each year Rhonda.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! It was my husband and I first time cooking a whole turkey and it was fantastic, we loved it!
Happy to hear your first turkey was a success Raquel!
My turkey turned out so juicy and flavorful!! Thank you so much, it was easy to prepare and cook. No foil, no bag, no brining. 100% fool proof!! I loved it!!!
Amazing! Happy to hear your turkey turned out perfectly.
Lisa and her recipes are amazing! This was my first thanksgiving turkey and it turned out AMAZING! It’s truly a foolproof recipe. Super easy and delicious. It came out so tender and juicy all the way through. Thank you Lisa ♥️
Happy to hear this recipe was a success Sara!
Husband made this for thanksgiving this year (2020) and everyone loved it! It was his first time making a turkey and this was so easy for him! Great recipe.
Amazing! Congrats to your husband on making his very first turkey ;)
Not being able to spend the holidays with my huge family I stilled wanted to make it special and wanted to make a delicious meal for my boyfriend and his daughter. This was my first year making a turkey and it was super simple to follow the recipe. It came out so scrumptious! My little one loved it and had seconds.
Happy to hear you were still able to make the most out of Thanksgiving with this recipe and a home cooked meal :)
We made turkey for the first time this year and it turned out great – juicy, flavorful, and beautifully browned!
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed this turkey recipe :)
First time making a turkey and it was the best tasting turkey anyone at the thanksgiving table has had. It was juicy and flavorful!
Congrats on making your first ever turkey Marissa!
It was my first time cooking a Thanksgiving dinner and this recipe helped me so much! My family loved it. I am grateful that Lisa posted her Youtube video and this step-by-step guide. I already reached out to her directly, but I just want everyone else to know this is truly an easy, yummy and juicy turkey recipe!
Happy to hear your first turkey was a success!
It was my first time preparing a Turkey and I felt like a pro. Thank you Lisa! The tip to remove from oven at 158 F° was the key to get the meat moist but cooked. You are THE BEST!
Wonderful! Happy to hear this recipe was a success :)
I used this no fail turkey recipe this Thanksgiving 2020 and I’m so happy that I did. The steps were truly easy to follow and the turkey was perfection. I did exactly what was suggested and removed the turkey when it reached a temperature of 158F and allowed it to rest. I carved it as recommended and my guests loved every bite!!! Will continue to use this recipe in the future.
So glad this was easy to follow along Natalie :)
This turkey was amazing, but the vegetables burned on the bottom and we had to remove them part way. Other than that zero complaints. I like this because it does not require a sugar and salt brine like my other recipe.
Hi Marion – that’s strange that the veggies burned. The liquid and fat from the turkey should have added juice to the bottom of the pan. But glad you enjoyed the recipe!
This was my first time preparing a turkey and I knew I could depend on Lisa’s recipe to get me through it!
The turkey came out so beautiful and was incredibly delicious! My husband and kids all said it was the most flavorful and delicious turkey they had ever eaten! The fresh herbs and herb butter made all the difference! Definitely feeling happy and proud with all the compliments I received. Thanks Lisa!!
Wonderful! Glad this recipe was a success Linda :)
THis was an excellent recipe. Easy to follow and make. It was delicious also!!
We had a small 4-person Thanksgiving this year and my mom put me in charge of the turkey 😳 I used this recipe and I can’t say thank you enough times for this one. It was my first turkey and everyone loved it. Thank you Lisa and Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Amazing! Glad this recipe was a success Lauren :)
Wow!!! This year was my first time cooking turkey and with so many different recipes and methods i chose Lisa’s! Let’s just say for being a first timer everyone loved it!!! Simple yet delicious ingredients that give your turkey that perfect brown crispy skin but tender and juicy in the inside! Thank you so much Lisa for creating yet another amazing recipe.
Also you gave me so much confidence in my cooking abilities. If i could cook a 20lb turkey and everyone loved it anyone can.
🧡🧡🧡
Now you can always be confident to roast a turkey! Glad it came out perfectly juicy and crispy.
This recipe was amazing!! The herb butter alone smelled amazing. My house was left smelling like such amazing herbs for days. I accidentally left the turkey in too long reaching a temp of 180° so it was a bit drier than I wanted but that was my fault for leaving it unattended. I will definitely be using this recipe again!
Glad you loved the her butter! It definitely is one of the most crucial ingredients for making this recipe :)
Thank you so much for sharing this easy turkey recipe!! My family said it was the most flavorful and moist turkey that I have ever made and I have made plenty. Total keeper!!! Thank you for making our Thanksgiving even more yummier!!
Amazing! Now you have a recipe you can always come back to for Thanksgiving Kimberly :)
To anyone that feels intimidated about baking a whole turkey, I tell you to GO FOR IT WITH DOWNSHIFTOLOGY’s recipe!! Lisa has given us detailed steps from buying, to thawing, to seasoning, to baking, and even all the different tools and carving!!
I have failed in the past and this is the 1st time in 10 years I tried and SUCCESS! My family loved it! It is tasty and moist! I do need to improve the carving skills but will definitely repeat this recipe for years to come! Thank you Lisa👏😘 I have pictures on my Instagram drirr20!
So glad to hear this recipe was able to help you create the perfect first roast turkey! And don’t worry, carving definitely takes a few tries!
Happy Thanksgiving! This recipe is absolutely delicious and easy to make! Lisa explained it so well and the steps were very easy to follow. There were only a few things I did differently: I used ghee butter instead of regular butter, and I was unable to tuck the wings under so well, so i just left them alone. But neither of these minor differences didn’t affect the flavor, the wings did not burn and the blend of sage, rosemary and thyme, along with the ghee butter and veggies made it the best turkey I ever roasted and this will not be the last time either. Thank you Lisa for this amazing recipe, I appreciate the clarity in words and the amount of detail included , specially with the beautiful photos!
Glad this still came together beautifully with ghee :)
My boyfriend and I were alone this thanksgiving and had the task of cooking for the first time! This turkey came out so nice and juicy, it was very simple to make and took a lot of stress out of the process of making this big meal for the first time. Thank you Lisa!
-@azulaembroidery on Instagram
Wonderful Kaylea! Happy to hear you were able to roast your first turkey successfully for you and your boyfriend for the first time this year :)
Lisa, l like to say thank you very much for this recipe!
It was very easy and delicious! I made it on Thanksgiving day with your mash potatoes and cranberry sauce recipes, made it a day before.
Turned out tasty! You are truly talented, thanks for sharing.
Hi Tina- What a perfect combination for Thanksgiving. Glad this recipe helped you create the perfect roast turkey :)