Easy Roasted Turkey with a Kick: A Holiday Delight
Elevate Your Holiday Feast with This Simple Yet Flavorful Turkey Recipe
Tired of the same old boring turkey? This year, spice up your holiday dinner with our Easy Roasted Turkey with a Kick! This recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion. It’s simple to prepare, but the flavor is out of this world.
Before You Start: Thaw Your Turkey Safely
Refrigerator Method:
- Plan Ahead: This is the safest method, but it requires significant planning.
- Thawing Time: Allow approximately 4 pounds of turkey per day to thaw in the refrigerator.
Cold Water Method:
- Quicker Thawing: For faster thawing, submerge the turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.
- Safety First: Ensure the water temperature remains below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth.
Important Note: Never thaw a turkey at room temperature or in warm water. This can lead to foodborne illness.
Prepping Your Turkey for Roasting
Here’s how to prepare your turkey for a delicious roast:
- Remove the Neck and Giblets: Take out the neck and giblet bag from the turkey cavity.
- Clean the Bird: Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water.
- Pat Dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly dry the turkey, both inside and out.
- Tie the Legs: Tie the turkey legs together with kitchen twine to ensure even cooking. If the legs are already tucked under the bird, leave them as is.
- Tuck the Wings: Fold the wing tips under the bird’s body to prevent them from burning.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to create a mouthwatering roasted turkey.
The Ingredients Needed for the Easy-Roasted Turkey
- 12-15 lb turkey: This is the main ingredient, providing the protein and structure of the dish.
- 1.5 sticks unsalted butter, softened: The butter adds moisture and richness to the turkey, contributing to its flavor and tenderness.
- 2 tablespoons Noubess Original Hot and Spicy Sauce: This ingredient provides a spicy kick and complex flavor profile to the turkey.
- 3 tablespoons Noubess Poultry Seasoning: This seasoning blend enhances the overall flavor of the turkey with a combination of herbs and spices.
- 1 large bunch fresh thyme: Thyme adds a warm, earthy flavor to the turkey.
- 1 large bunch fresh parsley: Parsley provides a bright, herbaceous flavor to the turkey.
- 1 onion, peeled and quartered: The onion adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the turkey cavity.
- 1 lemon, quartered: The lemon adds a bright, citrusy flavor to the turkey cavity
A Quick Guide to Roasting a Turkey
Roasting Time: A general rule of thumb is to allow 15 minutes of roasting time per pound of turkey. However, always rely on a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to perfection.
Here’s a rough estimate of roasting times for different turkey sizes:
- 10-pound turkey: Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
- 12-pound turkey: Approximately 2 hours 35-45 minutes
- 14-pound turkey: Approximately 3 hours
- 16-pound turkey: Approximately 3 hours 15-20 minutes
- 18-pound turkey: Approximately 3 hours 45-55 minutes
- 20-pound turkey: Approximately 4 hours 15-20 minutes
Remember: These are estimates, and actual cooking times may vary. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
Tips:
- For a larger turkey, adjust the seasoning and butter accordingly.
- Consider cooking the turkey on a rack or bed of vegetables to prevent it from sitting in its juices.
- Use the neck and giblets to make a delicious gravy.
Perfect Side Dish Pairings for Your Roasted Turkey
A delicious roasted turkey deserves equally impressive side dishes. Here are a few classic and creative options to complement your holiday feast:
Classic Side Dishes:
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, buttery, and comforting.
- Roasted Vegetables: A colorful and nutritious side dish, like roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, or parsnips.
- Stuffing: A flavorful bread-based dish, either traditional or herbed.
- Cranberry Sauce: A tart and sweet condiment that balances the richness of the turkey.
Creative Side Dish Ideas:
- Sweet Potato Casserole: A decadent and indulgent side dish, topped with marshmallows.
- Green Bean Casserole: A classic comfort food, with crispy fried onions.
- Cornbread Dressing: A Southern-style side dish that’s perfect for soaking up gravy.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: A savory and satisfying side dish.
Homemade Gravy to Elevate Roasted Turkey Meal
A rich and flavorful gravy is the perfect finishing touch to your roasted turkey. Here’s a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- Turkey drippings
- Flour
- Butter
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour the turkey drippings into a saucepan. Add a bit of flour and butter, whisking to create a roux.
- Add Broth: Gradually whisk in chicken or vegetable broth, stirring until the gravy thickens.
- Season to Taste: Season with salt and pepper.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the gravy to remove any lumps. Serve hot over your turkey and side dishes.
A Delicious Option
For an extra kick of flavor, try a Creole sauce alongside your roasted turkey. This rich and flavorful sauce is perfect for dipping or spooning over your turkey and side dishes. Here’s the recipe to get you started: How to Make Creole Sauce: The Most Flavorful Sauce.
The Advantages of Pre-Carved Turkey
Serving a pre-carved turkey can significantly enhance your holiday dining experience. Here are some key advantages:
- Efficient Serving: Pre-carving allows for quicker and more efficient serving, especially when catering to a large crowd.
- Even Portioning: Carving the turkey in advance ensures that everyone gets a fair share of both dark and white meat.
- Reduced Stress: Pre-carving eliminates the stress of carving a hot turkey at the dinner table, allowing you to enjoy the festivities with your guests. 1
Additional Tips for a Perfect Roasted Turkey
Here are some additional tips to ensure your roasted turkey turns out perfectly:
- Don’t Overstuff: Stuff the turkey loosely to allow for proper cooking. Overstuffing can lead to uneven cooking and food safety concerns.
- Baste Regularly: Basting the turkey with pan juices every 30-45 minutes helps keep it moist and flavorful.
- Rest the Turkey: Allow the turkey to rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender meat.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Avoid Opening the Oven Door Frequently: Opening the oven door too often can cause the temperature to fluctuate, affecting cooking time.
- Use a Roasting Rack: A roasting rack elevates the turkey, allowing hot air to circulate evenly and preventing the bottom from burning.
- Brine Your Turkey (Optional): Brining can add moisture and flavor to your turkey.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Feel free to add your own twist to the recipe, such as marinating the turkey or using different herbs and spices.
By following these tips, you can create a delicious and impressive roasted turkey that will be the star of your holiday meal.
Easy and Delicious Roasted Turkey
Equipment
- Large Roasting Pan
- Kitchen Twine
- Basting Spoon
- Large Cutting Board
- Sharp Carving Knife
- Chef’s Knife
Ingredients
- 12-15 lb turkey
- 1.5 sticks unsalted butter softened
- 2 tablespoons Noubess Original Hot and Spicy Sauce
- 3 tablespoons Noubess Poultry Seasoning
- 1 large bunch fresh thyme
- 1 large bunch fresh parsley
- 1 onion peeled and quartered
- 1 lemon quartered
Instructions
Prep the Turkey:
- Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Clean and pat dry the turkey.
Create the Flavorful Butter:
- In a bowl, combine softened butter and Noubess Hot and Spicy Sauce. Mix until well combined.
Season the Turkey:
- Season the inside of the turkey cavity with Noubess Poultry Seasoning.
- Stuff the cavity with onion, lemon, thyme, and parsley.
- Tie the turkey legs together with kitchen twine.
- Rub the spiced butter all over the outside of the turkey, including under the skin of the breast and thighs.
Roast the Turkey:
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Place the turkey in a roasting pan and bake for 45 minutes, covered with aluminum foil.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue roasting, basting every 30-45 minutes with pan juices, for about 3 hours.
- Remove the foil and continue roasting and basting until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Rest and Serve:
- Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 25 minutes before carving.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
Additional Tips for a Perfect Roasted Turkey
Here are some additional tips to ensure your roasted turkey turns out perfectly:- Don’t Overstuff: Stuff the turkey loosely to allow for proper cooking. Overstuffing can lead to uneven cooking and food safety concerns.
- Baste Regularly: Basting the turkey with pan juices every 30-45 minutes helps keep it moist and flavorful.
- Rest the Turkey: Allow the turkey to rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender meat.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Avoid Opening the Oven Door Frequently: Opening the oven door too often can cause the temperature to fluctuate, affecting cooking time.
- Use a Roasting Rack: A roasting rack elevates the turkey, allowing hot air to circulate evenly and preventing the bottom from burning.
- Brine Your Turkey (Optional): Brining can add moisture and flavor to your turkey.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Feel free to add your own twist to the recipe, such as marinating the turkey or using different herbs and spices.
Nutrition
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.
Corn Allergy:
Always choose ingredients without corn or corn derivatives.
Originally published on October 18, 2020. Revised and re-published with updated content.
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