My mom uses this recipe every Thanksgiving to cook her famous super moist and tender turkey. I was quite surprised at how simple the recipe is and how little effort it took to make it compared to some other turkey recipes I’ve made. In this recipe, I used two 8 lb turkeys in the same roasting pan, and no extra time is needed for both of them to cook at the same time.
Total time: 3-4 hours, depending on the size of the turkey
Serving size: 10-20 depending on the size of the turkey
Ingredients:
- Turkey
- 1 oven safe turkey bag
- 1 stick of butter
- 2 rosemary or thyme sprigs
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- salt and pepper
- 1-2 large onions
- 4-5 garlic cloves, cut in half
Check out this video to watch me make the recipe!
Step 1. Remove the turkey from the plastic, remove the innards, rinse, and pat dry.
Step 2. Melt the butter and add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of the chopped herbs. This microplaner is fantastic and catches all those little lemon zests so none are lost.
Step 3. Brush the turkey with the butter mixture and sprinkle with salt and pepper. I used this $4 Turkey baster or these pastry brushes work well too!
Step 4. Chop the onion and garlic into large chunks and stuff inside the turkey. You can even cut up and throw in the leftover lemon rind too! Place the turkey inside an oven bag and secure the bag opening with enclosed ties.
Step 5. Place bagged turkey in a roasting pan and bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes per lb. It will take about 2 1/2 hours for 10-12 lb turkey or until the juices run clear and a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees in the breast and 175 degrees in the thigh.
Step 6. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes.
Step 7. Take the turkey out of the bag. Carefully preserve the juices that have been collected and reserve for the gravy.
Step 8. If you feel like further browning is needed, you can roast it uncovered a bit longer in the oven, but you might be surprised how well browned it comes out!
Step 9. Layer turkey on a tray over a bed of kale or parsley, and garnish with sliced lemons and cranberries.
Step 10. Impress your dinner guests.
Are you interested in other Thanksgiving recipes or need ideas? If so, I created a complete guide on hosting a Friendsgiving / Thanksgiving dinner party. Click this link, and I’ll email you a copy!
XOXO
Crystel
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