How to Make Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey - A Step-by-Step Guide

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. And at the center of every Thanksgiving feast is the iconic turkey. Whether you are a seasoned chef or a novice cook, preparing the perfect Thanksgiving turkey can seem like a daunting task. But fear not, because we have a recipe for a juicy and perfectly seasoned Thanksgiving turkey that will have everyone at the table reaching for seconds.

When it comes to cooking a turkey, the key is to lock in all those sav...

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 2 tablespoons ground dried rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons rubbed dried sage
  • 2 tablespoons dried thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon lemon-pepper seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 (15 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
  • 1 medium orange, cut into 8 wedges
  • 1 medium onion, chopped into large pieces
  • 1 medium carrot, cut into 1/2-inch slices
  • 2 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch slices
  • 1 (750 milliliter) bottle champagne
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 hrs
  • Additional Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
  • Servings: 10

  • Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a roaster with sheets of aluminum foil long enough to wrap around turkey.
  • Stir parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon-pepper seasoning, and salt together in a small bowl.
  • Rub herb mixture into turkey cavity, then stuff with orange wedges, onion, carrot, and celery. Tie turkey legs together with kitchen string, then tuck the wings under the body.
  • Place turkey on the foil in the roasting pan. Pour champagne and chicken broth over turkey, making sure to get some liquid in the cavity.
  • Bring aluminum foil up and over the top of turkey and seal; try to keep the foil from touching the turkey.
  • Roast turkey in the preheated oven until juices run clear, 2 ½ to 3 hours. Uncover turkey and continue baking until the skin turns golden brown, 30 to 60 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh, near the bone, should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).
  • Remove turkey from the oven, cover with two sheets of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area before slicing, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Serve and enjoy!
  • Nutrition

    556 cal.

    • Total Fat: 24g
    • Saturated Fat: 7g
    • Cholesterol: 201mg
    • Sodium: 680mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 4g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 2g
    • Protein: 69g
    • Vitamin C: 6mg
    • Calcium: 94mg
    • Iron: 5mg
    • Potassium: 789mg