• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Simply Happy Foodie
  • Home
  • Recent Posts
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosures / Disclaimers / Copyright
    • Contact Me
    • Meet Gizmo, Our Foodie Pug
  • Cook's Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recent Posts
  • Recipes
  • My Cookbook
  • About
  • Cook’s Shop
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recent Posts
  • Recipes
  • My Cookbook
  • About
  • Cook’s Shop
×
Home » Blog Recipe Posts » Holiday

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

November 17, 2021 by Sandy 1 Comment

Jump to Recipe

This is an easy Thanksgiving Turkey recipe for anyone, even if you have never roasted a turkey before. This Thanksgiving turkey recipe is for those who want a simple, tasty, juicy turkey that is easy to prepare.

 Thanksgiving Turkey on baking sheet with vegetables, herbs, sliced oranges and cranberries

 

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

Today I'm going to talk turkey! This post will be your guide to cooking the best Thanksgiving Turkey ever!

It can be a little overwhelming to make a Thanksgiving turkey for the first time! I still remember my first. It actually turned out great. Now I get to help you get a great result with your turkey.

I think the biggest thing people worry about is the timing of the meal. I always start with the timing for the turkey (see my time charts below).

If I know that my turkey will need to cook for 4 hours, and it will take me 30 minutes to prep it, and it also needs to rest for 25 minutes after cooking, then I know that I need to start on it 5 hours before the dinner. That also helps me time all of the side dishes and such.

Thanksgiving Turkey on baking sheet with vegetables, herbs, sliced oranges and cranberries

Helpful Tips For a Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey

What Size Turkey should I buy?

If your goal is to have plenty of leftovers, figure 1 ½ pounds per person. Example: For 8 people, buy a 12 pound turkey.

How To Thaw A Frozen Turkey

If you purchase a frozen turkey, make sure you have plenty of time to thaw it. You will want it to be completely thawed before you start to cook it.

It can take up to 5 days to thaw, depending on the size of the bird. Figure about 1 day per 4 pounds of weight. An 18 pound turkey will take about 4 ½ days to thaw.

Thaw the turkey in the fridge. Keep the frozen turkey in its original, unopened packaging/wrapping and place breast side up in a container or pan that will prevent the turkey juices from dripping onto other foods.

If your turkey is still frozen on T-Day

Submerge it in cold water (not warm or hot) and change out the water every 30 minutes. If you can't fully submerge the bird, just flip it when you change out the water. It can take a few hours, so plan accordingly.

You can cook a frozen turkey, it will just take longer. About 25%-50% longer. So all is not lost. The hardest part will be trying to get the bag of giblets and the neck out! (hint: let it cook a bit and carefully remove when it has thawed enough).

To Brine or Not to Brine?

This recipe is for an unbrined (or non-brined?) turkey. If you do brine yours, just rinse it well and pat it dry before continuing. Brining isn't necessary for a juicy turkey.

Thanksgiving Turkey on baking sheet with vegetables and herbs

How Long Should a Turkey cook?

It depends on the size. I've included two turkey cooking time charts below, for stuffed and unstuffed turkeys (scroll down).

Do I need to baste my turkey?

You don't really have to, as the herb butter will give it nice moisture. You can if you like, but opening the oven door too often will lengthen the overall cook time. Just do it a couple times.

This post contains Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How do I know when my turkey is done?

A meat thermometer, preferably an instant-read thermometer (affiliate), is the most accurate way to tell. Please don't rely on those pop-up plastic things some turkeys come with! They pop up when it's overcooked, in my opinion.

Check on your turkey about ⅔ of the way through the cook time, just to make sure it is not cooking too fast or too slow. If it is browning too fast, spray a piece of foil and tent it over the bird to slow down the browning.

You want to take the turkey out of the oven when the temperature reads 160° F in the thickest part of the thigh, and let the turkey rest for 25 minutes lightly tented with foil. It will finish cooking and the temperature will rise to the safe 165° F.

A dry turkey is one that has been overcooked, and nobody wants that!

What kind of pan should I use to roast my turkey?

Any shallow to medium shallow (3 to 5 inches or so) roasting pan, with just enough depth to contain the bird and the drippings will do.

There are stainless, aluminum, Granite Ware, enameled cast iron, and even disposable aluminum pans you can get at the grocery store. I have a few different kinds and they are all good.

Here is how to make a Thanksgiving Turkey

After unwrapping the turkey (I do it in the sink), pat it dry with paper towels, set it in the roasting pan, and remove the packet of giblets from the neck cavity. Also remove the neck from the main cavity by the legs. I save them and boil in water for the gravy.
removing giblets and neck from turkey

Chop up the herbs and make the herb butter. This is the seasoning for the turkey, and helps it stay juicy.
making compound butter in glass bowl

Slide your fingers in between the skin and the meat of the bird, from the edge of the main cavity towards the wings. This creates a place to put some of the herb butter. Right on the meat for lots of flavor!
Then cover the outside of the turkey with the remaining herb butter.
Putting butter under turkey skin with hand

Tuck the wingtip behind the bird as shown. This is because those tips often burn as they don't have much meat. You could also cut them off and add them with the giblets for the gravy.
folding turkey wings under

Stuff the bird with the fruit, onion, and herbs, if not using a traditional bread stuffing. Then tie the ends of the legs together, using butcher's string.
stuffing turkey with herbs and fruit

Approx. Times for Roasting an Unstuffed Turkey

WeightTime
6-8 lbs2 ½ to 3 hours
8-12 lbs3 to 4 hours
12-16 lbs4 to 5 hours
16-20 lbs5 to 5 ½ hours
20-24 lbs5 ½ to 6 hours
Using an oven temperature of 325° F
"Stuffed" refers to a bread or rice style stuffing, not fruit/veg/herbs.

Approx. Times for Roasting a Stuffed Turkey

WeightTime
6-8 lbs3 to 3 ½ hours
8-12 lbs3 ½ to 4 ½ hours
12-16 lbs4 ½ to 5 ½ hours
16-20 lbs5 ½ to 6 hours
20-24 lbs6 to 6 ½ hours
Using an oven temperature of 325° F

blue banner with the words you might also like
Creamy Baked Asparagus Alfredo
Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Creamy Cheesecake Fruit Salad
Quick Pumpkin Pie Pudding

Pin This Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Thanksgiving Turkey on baking sheet with vegetables, herbs, sliced oranges and cranberries as well as title and Simply Happy Foodie.com logo

If you make this easy turkey recipe, please leave a comment below with a star rating. I'd love to know how you and your family liked it!

5 from 1 vote
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey on a bed of greens on white board
Print
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs 45 mins
Total Time
4 hrs 10 mins
 

An Easy Thanksgiving Turkey recipe for a beginner, or anyone who wants a simple, juicy turkey on Thanksgiving, or any time!

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: How to cook a Thanksgiving turkey
Servings: 6 - 20
Calories: 412 kcal
Author: Sandy Clifton
Ingredients
  • 10-25 lb Turkey
Herb Butter
  • 1 cup Butter, softened
  • 4 sprigs Fresh Rosemary (minced to make 1 Tbsp)
  • 4 sprigs Fresh Thyme (minced to make 1 Tbsp)
  • 8 Fresh Sage Leaves (chopped to make 1 Tbsp, or use 1 Tbsp dried rubbed sage)
  • 2 cloves Garlic, pressed
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Pepper
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
To Stuff the Turkey
  • 1 Onion, sliced thick
  • 1 Orange or Lemon, sliced
  • 1 Apple, cut in wedges
  • Fresh Herbs (use the remaining from making the herb butter, or use what you have)
Instructions
Thaw Turkey if Frozen
  1. If your turkey is frozen you will need to thaw it 2-3 days in advance, in the refrigerator.

  2. If turkey is still a bit frozen when you unwrap it, submerge it in cool water or run cool water on the frozen area.

Prepare Turkey
  1. Position the oven rack on the lowest level. Heat oven to 325° F. Make a note of how much your turkey weighs. The price tag will show this.

  2. Remove the turkey from the packaging and place it in a shallow roasting pan, preferably on a rack. If there is no rack, lay down a layer of thick cut vegetables (onion, carrot, celery, etc.) and set the bird on it.

  3. Pat the outside of the turkey dry using paper towels.

Make the Herb Butter
  1. Mix together the butter, rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Season the Turkey
  1. Place your fingers in between the skin and meat of the turkey and gently loosen it. Use your hand to get the herb butter in there.

  2. Coat the outside of the turkey with the remaining herb butter.

Stuff the Turkey
  1. Insert the onion, orange, apple, and herbs into the cavity where the legs are. Then tie the legs together with butcher's string, or secure them under the flap of skin below the legs, if there.

Cook The Turkey
  1. Place the turkey in the oven. Cook it for approx. 15 minutes per pound (see post for my handy cooking time charts).

  2. Check on your turkey about ⅔ of the way through the cook time, just to make sure it is not cooking too fast or too slow. If it is browning too fast, spray a piece of foil and tent it over the bird to slow down the browning.

  3. Take the turkey out of the oven when the temperature reads 160° F in the thickest part of the thigh, and let the turkey rest for 25 minutes lightly tented with foil. It will finish cooking and the temperature will rise to the safe 165° F.


pink button with the words follow Simply Happy Foodie on Pinterest

RESOURCES TO MAKE this recipe and more

This post contains Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More Holiday

  • Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes on a plate
    Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
  • Dinner Roll Christmas Tree pull apart appetizer
    Dinner Roll Christmas Tree Appetizer
  • Slice of Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake on a white plate with pecan halves
    Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake
  • cooked Green Beans in a cast iron skillet
    Easy Sautéed Green Beans

Sharing is caring!

214 shares
  • Tweet
  • Share

My Instant Pot Cookbook is Here!

Instant Pot Cookbook Cover

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Beverly

    November 05, 2019 at 8:59 am

    We had a change of plans and Thanksgiving was early for us, and moved to my house. I looked for an easy turkey recipe because it had been years since I made one. Well, it was easy. I followed your instructions and it turned out perfectly! Thank you for the great step by step instructions!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi there! I’m Sandy - foodie with a passion for cooking and sharing my tasty recipes. My hubby Paul, our Pug Gizmo, and I live in Washington.

Sandy wearing a black shirt and a red apron

More about me →

Reader Favorite Recipes

  • Easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf on a white plate garnished with parsley
    Easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf
  • Air Fryer Rib Eye Steak
    Air Fryer Rib Eye Steak
  • Slow Cooker Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
    Slow Cooker Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
  • Short Ribs over mashed potatoes on a black plate next to a bunch of fresh parsley
    Instant Pot Short Ribs

More favorites

Footer

↑ back to top

Copyrighted Content
This website and its contents are the copyright of Simply Happy Foodie LLC – © 2016-2025.  All rights reserved.

Disclaimers

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

About

  • About
  • Contact
  • Meet Gizmo, Our Foodie Pug

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey recipe