Chef John’s Foolproof Roast Turkey Recipe

Chef John’s Roast Turkey: A Delicious and Easy Thanksgiving Tradition

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and good food. And what better way to celebrate than with a delicious roast turkey? Chef John’s roast turkey is the perfect way to do just that. It’s moist, flavorful, and easy to make, even for novice cooks.

In this article, we’ll walk you through Chef John’s step-by-step recipe for roast turkey. We’ll also share some tips for making the perfect turkey, so you can impress your guests this Thanksgiving.

So get ready to gather your ingredients, fire up your oven, and start cooking!

Ingredients	Instructions	Notes
– 1 (12- to 14-pound) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed – 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened – 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, and sage – 1/2 cup Dijon mustard – 1/4 cup honey – 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce – 1/4 cup dry white wine – Salt and pepper to taste	1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). 2. Remove the giblets from the turkey and reserve for another use. 3. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat dry with paper towels. 4. In a large bowl, combine the butter, herbs, mustard, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and white wine. 5. Rub the turkey all over with the butter mixture. 6. Season the turkey with salt and pepper. 7. Place the turkey in a roasting pan and roast for 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). 8. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.	– For a crispier skin, brush the turkey with melted butter or oil halfway through cooking. – To make a flavorful gravy, pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until thickened. – Serve the turkey with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, and vegetables.

Ingredients

For a 12- to 14-pound turkey:

* 1 (12- to 14-pound) fresh or frozen turkey, thawed
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/4 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, and sage
* 1/4 cup dry white wine
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 1 orange, quartered
* 1 lemon, quartered
* 1 onion, quartered
* 2 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity. Rinse the turkey inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan.
4. Rub the turkey with the vegetable oil, salt, and pepper.
5. In a small bowl, combine the butter, herbs, and wine. Brush the turkey with the herb butter.
6. Arrange the orange, lemon, onion, bay leaves, and onion wedges in the turkey cavity.
7. Roast the turkey for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) at the thickest part of the thigh.
8. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Tips

* To make sure the turkey is cooked through, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The temperature should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
* If the turkey skin starts to brown too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil.
* Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with the pan drippings.
* Allow the turkey to rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the meat to be more moist.
* Serve the turkey with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy.

3. Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you roast a perfect turkey:

* Use a meat thermometer. The most important step in roasting a turkey is to cook it to the proper internal temperature. A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure that your turkey is cooked evenly and safely. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure not to touch the bone. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Start the turkey breast-side up. This will help to ensure that the breast meat cooks evenly. After about 1 hour of roasting, turn the turkey breast-side down. This will help to brown the skin and prevent the breast meat from drying out.
* Don’t overcook the turkey. Overcooked turkey is dry and tough. The best way to avoid overcooking the turkey is to use a meat thermometer and cook it to the proper internal temperature.
* Let the turkey rest before carving. After you remove the turkey from the oven, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy turkey.

4. Troubleshooting

Here are a few troubleshooting tips if you’re having trouble roasting a turkey:

* If the turkey is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil. This will help to prevent the skin from burning.
* If the turkey is not browning evenly, turn it halfway through the roasting time.
* If the turkey is dry, baste it with melted butter or chicken broth every 30 minutes or so.
* If the turkey is tough, cook it for a shorter period of time or at a lower temperature.

By following these tips and tricks, you can roast a perfect turkey every time!

Roasting a turkey is a great way to celebrate a special occasion. By following these tips and tricks, you can roast a perfect turkey that will impress your guests.

Q: What is the best way to roast a turkey?
A: There are many different ways to roast a turkey, but the following method is a tried-and-true method that produces a moist, flavorful bird every time.

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Stuff the turkey with your favorite stuffing. (If you’re not stuffing the turkey, skip this step.)
3. Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan.
4. Rub the turkey with olive oil or butter.
5. Season the turkey with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices.
6. Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the roasting pan.
7. Cover the turkey with aluminum foil.
8. Roast the turkey for 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Q: How long do I cook a turkey for?
A: The cooking time for a turkey will vary depending on the size of the bird. A general rule of thumb is to cook a turkey for 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

For example, a 10-pound turkey will take about 3 hours to cook.

Q: What temperature should I cook a turkey?
A: The ideal cooking temperature for a turkey is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help to ensure that the turkey is cooked evenly and that the meat is moist and flavorful.

Q: What is the best way to baste a turkey?
A: Basting a turkey helps to keep the meat moist and flavorful. To baste a turkey, simply spoon or brush melted butter or drippings over the turkey every 30 minutes or so.

Q: How do I know when a turkey is done cooking?
A: The best way to tell if a turkey is done cooking is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of a cooked turkey should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Q: What should I do if my turkey is overcooked?
A: If your turkey is overcooked, you can try to salvage it by slicing the meat and using it in a soup or stew. You can also shred the meat and use it in a sandwich or wrap.

Q: What are some tips for roasting a turkey?
A few tips for roasting a turkey include:

* Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey.
* Baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so to keep the meat moist.
* Don’t overcook the turkey.
* Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.

By following these tips, you’ll be sure to roast a delicious and juicy turkey for your next holiday meal.

In this blog post, we have discussed Chef John’s recipe for roast turkey. We have covered the ingredients, the steps involved in the cooking process, and some tips for making a successful roast turkey. We hope that you have found this information helpful and that you will enjoy making Chef John’s roast turkey for your next holiday gathering.

Here are some key takeaways from the blog post:

* The most important thing to remember when roasting a turkey is to cook it to the proper internal temperature. The USDA recommends cooking turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
* The best way to ensure that your turkey is cooked evenly is to roast it breast-side up.
* You should baste your turkey every 30 minutes or so to keep it moist.
* If you are roasting a large turkey, you may need to cook it for longer than the recipe specifies.
* Let your turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving it. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the meat to be more tender.

We hope that you enjoy making Chef John’s roast turkey for your next holiday gathering!