Basic Turkey Roasting Instructions
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- ¼ cup white wine
- 4 tsp salt, or to taste
- 3 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp paprika
Directions
Begin by pre-heating your oven to 425°F. Remove your turkey from the packaging it came in and check that the neck and giblets have been removed from the body cavity. Rinse the bird with cold water and pat the cavities lightly with a paper towel. Spread the exterior of the turkey with a blend of your favorite herbs and spices.
Place your bird in a roasting pan, breast-side up. Pour 2 cups of water in the bottom of pan. Place the pan in the oven and set your timer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 325°F and continue to roast the bird for the additional time on table below. Cover the turkey loosely with a piece of foil for the last hour of roasting. When the bird reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, remove it from the oven and let it stand 15 minutes before carving.
| Hen Weight | Roasting Time | Tom Weight | Roasting Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 – 10 lbs.* | approx. 2 hrs. | 24 – 26 lbs. | 4 3/4 – 5 hrs. |
| 10 – 12 lbs. | 3 – 3 1/4 hrs. | 26 – 28 lbs. | 5 – 5 1/4 hrs. |
| 12 – 14 lbs. | 3 1/4 – 3 1/2 hrs. | 28 – 30 lbs. | 5 1/4 – 5 1/2 hrs. |
| 14 – 16 lbs. | 3 1/2 – 3 3/4 hrs. | 30 – 32 lbs. | 5 1/2 – 5 3/4 hrs. |
| 16 – 18 lbs. | 3 3/4 – 4 hrs. | 32 – 34 lbs. | 5 3/4 – 6 1/2 hrs. |
| 18 – 20 lbs. | 4 – 4 1/2 hrs. | 34 – 36+ lbs. | 6 1/4 – 6 1/2 hrs. |
| 20 – 22 lbs. | 4 1/2 – 5 hrs. | ||
| 22 – 24 lbs. | 5 – 5 1/2 hrs. | ||
| 24 – 26 lbs. | 5 1/2 – 5 3/4 hrs. |
Important Notes:
- Roasting time can vary as much as 30 minutes due to differences in individual equipment. You may want to check your oven for correct temperature.
- A stuffed bird needs additional time (approx. an extra 30 min or so) to reach the proper internal temperature of 165°F.
- There is no need to turn the bird while roasting as it will brown to a rich, golden color.
*Side Note: The Nylon Truss
Most turkeys come with a Nylon truss. To secure the truss, hold the drumsticks together, lift the ring and pull it over the drumsticks. The Nylon truss is oven and microwave safe and can withstand oven temperatures of up to 450°F. If you would like to remove the truss, simply lift the ring and pull it up and over the end of the drumsticks.
