Thanksgiving is literally right around the corner. With Canadian Thanksgiving next week on Monday, and American Thanksgiving a month away, it's never too early to start planning! So, let's take care of the biggest item on the menu -- turkey. And boy do I have the easiest, best and juiciest roast turkey ever for you!
So what is the secret to the perfect roast turkey? Roasting it at a higher heat for a shorter period of time. That's right, you no longer need to spend 5 hours roasting a turkey, nor do you need to take it out every hour to apply brine. Just prep the bird, stick in the oven, adjust the temperature once during the cooking process and that's it. Yup, this is the easiest and juiciest way to get it done! Plus, the flavour is so much better!
I also like to stuff the cavity of the turkey with apples, cinnamon and lots of fresh herbs. Not only does this give of an amazing aroma into my kitchen, but it also adds incredible flavour to the turkey drippings which will turn into the gravy
Turkey Gravy
This recipe also provides the essentials for an AH-mazing gravy ! Almost all you need is right there in the turkey. You will need to make homemade turkey stock which requires the turkey neck and giblets, so make sure you remove and save those when you are prepping the turkey for the oven. Also, once the turkey is baked, save all those juicy drippings as well. Get my easy homemade gravy recipe HERE! There is seriously no need for powdered gravy if you are already making a roast turkey dinner!!
Recipe
The Best and Juiciest Roast Turkey Ever
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 roast turkey 1x
Description
Make Thanksgiving easier with the best and juiciest roast turkey ever! It cooks faster and requires NO brining!
Ingredients
- 1 (14 - 16 lb.) turkey
- olive oil or butter
- 1 apple, sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary and/or thyme
- 6 leaves fresh sage
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 500 F.
- Remove turkey neck and giblets and set aside for your homemade gravy (it is used for the turkey stock).
- Wash and pat dry turkey with paper towels. Place turkey on roasting tray and tuck the wings underneath the turkey.
- Coat the turkey skin both on top and underneath (if possible) generously with olive oil or butter. You can add some chopped herbs (rosemary, thyme and/or sage) on top of the bird as well (optional).
- Insert apple, cinnamon and fresh herbs into the turkey's cavity.
- Roast the turkey on lowest rack for 30 minutes.
- Lower the oven temperature to 350 F and roast until the internal temperature of turkey reaches 165 F. You can check the internal temperature by inserting the thickest part of the turkey breast with a cooking thermometer. For a 14-16 pound turkey, this should take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Remove from oven and loosely cover the turkey with aluminum foil. Let turkey rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, remove the turkey drippings and set aside for your gravy.
- Serve and carve!
Notes
Reserve the turkey neck and giblets to make turkey stock for your homemade gravy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Poultry
Monica | Nourish + Fete says
This makes me excited for Thanksgiving to get here - I'm American so I still have a month to wait, but it's worth waiting for a turkey as delicious as this. Agreed that starting on high heat is a great technique!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
It will be here faster than you know it! 😀
Renee Gardner says
I've never tried doing a turkey at 500 degrees, but your theory makes a lot of sense. It almost makes me want to go out and get a turkey to try it now!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Haha, do it!! 😉
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
This turkey looks just perfect! I always have trouble roasting a turkey... I can only ever get a roast chicken done right... I'm saving this recipe for Thanksgiving! Juicy turkey, here I come!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Awesome! Let me know how you like it! 😀
Analida Braeger says
Now I'm in the mood for Thanksgiving! Thank you for the holiday inspiration and kickoff to my favorite time of year.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Haha, you are so welcome!! 😀
Georgie says
Yes! I love this! I don’t know how many sad and dry Turky’s I’ve had in my life! This will be a game changer!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
It sure will! You won't regret it! 😀
Shelley says
Mmmmmm ... what an alluring combination, stuffing the turkey with apples, cinnamon and those wonderful fresh herbs! I especially love fresh sage, which is such a quintessential Thanksgiving flavor!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
It is pretty amazing! It just adds flavour and adds amazing aroma to your kitchen!