Simple Roasted Turkey

This no-baste simple roasted turkey is the epitome of simplicity, turning the sometimes daunting task of cooking a turkey into a simple affair.

And the result? A succulent, perfectly cooked bird with an enticing aroma. This recipe proves that simplicity, combined with thoughtful techniques, yields extraordinary results.

This moist and delicious simple turkey recipe can be made in any roasting pan and requires no basting!

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The short list of ingredients you’ll need for this recipe

  1. Turkey: The star of the show, choose a high-quality turkey that suits the size of your gathering. Ensure it’s properly thawed, giblets removed, and washed for a clean canvas.
  2. Olive Oil: This kitchen staple serves as the magic elixir for the turkey’s golden, crispy skin. Its richness not only enhances the visual appeal but also helps seal in the natural juices for a moist and flavorful outcome.
  3. Aromatics (Onion, Carrots, Celery, Garlic): This flavorful quartet acts as the turkey’s aromatic stuffing, infusing the meat with a delightful blend of savory notes. Chopped and strategically placed, they contribute to the overall taste profile.
  4. Salt, Pepper, Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage: This simple yet powerful blend is the seasoning backbone of the recipe. Salt and pepper add a basic but essential flavor foundation, while the rosemary, thyme, and sage enhancing the turkey’s taste without complexity.
TOOLS YOU’LL NEED

How to make this simple roasted turkey

  1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Unwrap the turkey, remove giblets, and wash thoroughly.
  3. Pat the turkey dry and place it on a wire lifting rack in a roasting pan.
  4. Massage the entire turkey generously with olive oil for a golden, crispy skin.
  5. Stuff both ends of the turkey with a mixture of chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic for added aroma.
  6. Sprinkle the turkey with salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and sage for a flavorful profile.
  7. Embrace the no-baste technique by roasting the turkey uncovered for 20-30 minutes at 425 degrees, then reduce to 325 degrees and continue roasting for one hour. After that, cover the turkey and finish roasting until done.
  8. Allow the roasted turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes before carving.
  9. Slice into a succulent, perfectly roasted bird.

Are you cooking on a smaller scale? You’ll love this Dutch Oven Turkey Breast too; it’s just as tasty, but makes a much smaller meal.

This moist and delicious simple turkey recipe can be made in any roasting pan and requires no basting!

What you’ll love about this recipe

  • Effortless Perfection: This recipe simplifies the turkey roasting process, eliminating the need for constant basting. The result is a perfectly cooked bird without the stress.
  • Golden Crispy Skin: The olive oil massage creates a golden, crispy skin that adds a delightful crunch to every bite.
  • Aromatic Infusion: The stuffing of onion, carrots, celery, and garlic infuses the turkey.
  • No-Fuss Seasoning: With a straightforward combination of salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and sage, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of traditional flavors, enhancing the natural taste of the turkey without overwhelming it.
  • No-Baste Magic: The no-baste technique allows the oven to work its magic, resulting in a juicy and succulent turkey without the need for constant attention. It’s a game-changer for those who want impressive results with minimal effort.

An Important Note About Salting a Turkey

Salting a turkey is a crucial step in achieving a well-seasoned and flavorful bird. Salt not only enhances the natural taste of the turkey, but also plays a pivotal role in moisture retention.

When generously applied, salt penetrates the meat, breaking down its proteins and allowing water to be absorbed, resulting in a juicier and more succulent bird.

The ample use of salt forms a savory crust on the turkey’s surface, elevating the overall taste and texture. So, don’t be shy with the salt – it’s the key to unlocking a perfectly seasoned and moist roasted turkey that will leave everyone at the table craving seconds.

Tip

To achieve that perfectly golden brown skin on your turkey, start by patting the turkey completely dry with paper towels before applying any oils or seasonings. Moisture on the skin of the turkey inhibits browning, and a dry surface allows for a more effective Maillard reaction, which is the chemical process responsible for the appealing golden color and rich flavor.

Make sure to start the roasting process at a high temperature, around 425°F, for the first 20-30 minutes. This initial blast of high heat helps kickstart the Maillard reaction. Then reduce the heat for the remainder of the cooking time.

This simple roasted turkey is my go-to recipe for cooking a turkey at Thanksgiving or randomly throughout the year (you do that too, right?). You’ll love the stress-free cooking experience of this recipe without sacrificing any flavor. So, go ahead, try it out, and let the traditional turkey flavors speak for themselves.

A cooked turkey in a roasting pan, stuffed with fresh veggies.

Simple Roasted Turkey

By: Kristine Underwood
This no-baste simple roasted turkey is the epitome of simplicity, turning the sometimes daunting task of cooking a turkey into a simple affair. And the result? A succulent, perfectly cooked bird with an enticing aroma. This recipe proves that simplicity, combined with thoughtful techniques, yields extraordinary results.
5 from 11 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings
Calories 476 kcal

ingredients
 
 

  • 14-20 pound turkey (thawed, cleaned out, and pat dry)
  • 1-1/2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • olive oil (for rubbing the skin)
  • 1 yellow onion (roughly chopped)
  • 2 carrots (peeled and chopped into large pieces)
  • 2 ribs celery (chopped into large pieces)
  • 4 cloves garlic (whole)
  • 1/4 cup sea salt (for seasoning the outside of the bird and in the cavity)
  • 1 1/2 tsp rosemary
  • 1 1/2 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp sage
  • pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Remove turkey from package, remove giblets, and wash thoroughly. Pat bird dry with paper towel and remove all the moisture from the skin.
    14-20 pound turkey
  • Place turkey on wire lifting rack, breast side up in a large roasting pan.
  • Carefully trim the neck flap if it's excessive and stuff both ends of the turkey with the chopped onion, carrots, celery and garlic.
    1 yellow onion, 2 carrots, 2 ribs celery, 4 cloves garlic
  • Once stuffed, rub the entire outside of the turkey with olive oil, massaging it into the skin.
    olive oil
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the salt, rosemary, thyme, sage, and pepper. Generously sprinkle and rub the seasoning blend all over the turkey and inside the cavity.
    1/4 cup sea salt, 1 1/2 tsp rosemary, 1 1/2 tsp thyme, 1 tsp sage, pepper to taste
  • Roast the turkey in the oven uncovered for 20-30 minutes at 425°F uncovered. Reduce heat to 325°F and roast turkey for 1 hour. Then cover the turkey with a lid or aluminum foil and continue roasting until the internal temperature of the breast is 165°F or 175°F degrees in the thigh.
  • Allow bird to rest for at east 30 minutes prior to carving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 476kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 90gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 266mgSodium: 2270mgPotassium: 975mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1405IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 4mg
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Recipe Rating




20 Comments

  1. This turkey was so easy to make and came out perfect. The fam was raving!5 stars

    1. I’m so glad to hear it was a success. Thank you so much! 🙂

  2. You’ve got this turkey recipe nailed down. The turkey was flavorful and so moist!5 stars

  3. I love having people over for the holidays but don’t want to be slaving away day and night in the kitchen. This recipe was perfection and everyone LOVED the turkey! Thanks, Kristine!5 stars

  4. I love this! I admittedly am intimidated by cooking meat, so I always leave turkey duty to someone else on Thanksgiving. But you made this totally simple and do-able. And the turkey was mouthwatering!5 stars

    1. Thank you so much Kara! I used to be the same way, but it’s really not as complicated as I thought! I’ve made this recipe so many times now, I don’t even think about it anymore! 🙂

  5. Thanksgiving is my favorite food holiday. This turkey was amazing!5 stars

  6. Such a beautiful turkey and it was very yummy. Perfect for the holiday season. Saving this one!5 stars

  7. I’m so lazy when it comes to cooking large poultry, but your recipe convinced me I could handle it. I didn’t deviate from the instructions at all and the turkey actually came out! So happy!5 stars

    1. HAHA Charla, I know exactly how you feel! I was that way too. Thrilled the turkey was easy and yummy!

  8. I’ve never made turkey before, but this was so simple. A perfect recipe for a beginner. My family raved about the turkey!5 stars

    1. I was intimated by turkey for a long time (that, and the thought of cleaning it out totally grossed me out!), but I really enjoy it now. I’m so glad you gave it a try Alisa! 🙂

  9. I needed a new turkey recipe this year and stumbled across this recipe on Pinterest. It didn’t disappoint and I love the no-basting technique. Game-changer!5 stars

    1. Thanks so much Alison! I agree, the olive oil on the skin really “seals it up” and the salt helps so much with the moisture of the meat. Glad to year you enjoyed it!

  10. I’m always overwhelmed by roasting the turkey for Thanksgiving. This recipe was simple to follow and no out of the ordinary ingredients needed. My turkey came out looking amazing and tasted delicious! I got rave reviews. 💫💫💫💫💫5 stars

    1. I’m thrilled to hear this Noemi! I was too, but this recipe always turns out great. In fact, it’s still the one I use every single year. My family loves this turkey. Many have tried to compete, but I always win in the “moist and flavorful” turkey war. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it! Happy Holidays!