How to Roast a Turkey: The Ultimate Guide

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With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s almost turkey season. Maybe you’ve been preparing Thanksgiving dinners for decades or maybe you’ve never roasted a turkey in your life. Whatever the case may be, it’s never a bad idea to brush up on your cooking skills.

Here are a few sides to serve with your turkey: 5-Minute Turkey Gravy, Cajun Dirty Rice, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Southern Green Beans, Corn Pudding, and Sweet Potato Pie.

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In this guide to how to roast a turkey, I will be walking you through every step of the process. From picking the perfect bird to the best ways to serve roasted turkey, this thorough guide will provide you with everything you need, just in time for the holiday season. Now, let’s get right into it. 

What’s So Special About Turkey?

For starters, turkey is the star of the show at every Thanksgiving dinner in the country. Unless, of course, you’re vegan, in which case I’m sorry. Many historians believe that the pilgrims did enjoy turkey at the very first Thanksgiving. Turkey is also viewed as a sign of abundance, acting as a symbol of all we have to be thankful for. 

In the United States alone, millions of turkeys are consumed every holiday season. Sure, I love my fair share of cornbread dressing, mac and cheese, and sweet potato pie. But nothing says ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ quite like a beautifully roasted turkey on a massive platter. The holiday simply wouldn’t be the same without this iconic symbol of thanks. 

What Size Turkey to Buy?

When selecting a turkey to buy at the grocery store, the size matters. Trust me. The last thing you want is to spend an afternoon in the kitchen making the perfect turkey, only to realize that there isn’t enough of it to serve everyone. I don’t know about you, but that would not go over very well in my house. 

In order to avoid a house full of angry cousins, in-laws, and grandparents, it’s essential to buy a big enough turkey to feed your crew. As a general rule, I make sure to allow for ¾ to 1 pound per person. This accounts for the bones too. So if you’re feeding a group of 10 people, you should be looking for a 10-pound turkey. However, if the bird is over 12 pounds, each guest should only need ½ to ¾ of a pound, so keep this in mind. 

Don’t forget to make room in your fridge before bringing home your turkey! The last thing you want is to get home and realize there’s no space for it. This happened to me once, and I ended up in an at-home version of Chopped, so I didn’t have to waste some food to make room for my bird. The things we do to provide excellent holiday meals for our loved ones, am I right? 

How to Safely Thaw a Frozen Turkey

My preferred method of thawing a frozen turkey is letting it thaw in the refrigerator for 2 days. This is the best and easiest way to get the job done. However, if you don’t have that kind of time, you can put your bird in the sink and run cold water over it for 4 hours or until thawed. 

While it may be tempting to run hot water over it to speed up the process, this will slightly cook your turkey, which will wind up messing it up in the long run. Treat your turkey with love! 

This turkey thawing time chart is a good rule of thumb:

Popular Methods for Cooking Turkey

When it comes to turkey, there is no perfect method. It’s entirely subjective. Some people prefer the classic, and others enjoy dunking their turkey into a deep fryer. Some of the top cooking methods include: 

• Roasting
• Frying
• Smoking
• Broiling
• Grilling

I’m pretty confident that I’ve tried just about every turkey cooking method out there. While each method can certainly yield delicious results, I have to say I’m partial to the tried and true roasted turkey. That’s why in this guide, I will be teaching you how to roast the perfect turkey. 

How to Roast a Turkey

Through years of hosting Thanksgiving dinners for my family and friends, I can safely say that I’ve perfected my roasted turkey recipe. This method is fool-proof and yields mouth-watering results every single time. As long as you follow these simple steps on how to roast a turkey, you’re guaranteed to impress at the dinner table this year. 

First things first, you will need a roasting rack. Placing the turkey on a rack allows for the best air circulation during the roasting process, ensuring that every part of the turkey gets roasted to perfection. You will also need to prepare your seasonings and any kind of stuffing you plan to use. I always try to make sure I use 1 teaspoon of kosher salt for every pound of turkey. 

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Season the cavity of the turkey with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Turn the turkey breast side down and brush with melted butter then season evenly with 2 tablespoons of season. Flip over and repeat.

Step 2: Place half of the onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic inside the turkey, and the other halves in the roasting pan. Place turkey in roasting pan.

Step 3: Most turkeys come with the legs tied together or tucked under the skin, tie legs back up and cover.

Step 4: Bake for 2 ½ hours, remove the cover and pop back in the oven for 30 minutes or until turkey browns. Remove from oven and use an instant-read thermometer and insert into the thighs and make sure it reads 165°F. Cool for 30-45 minutes before serving. You can keep warm by covering it slightly.

If you don’t have a roasting pan, bake on a foiled-lined baking sheet and add with the legs facing the back, and rotate every hour for even browning.

Should I Stuff My Turkey?

The first question to keep in mind before roasting a turkey is stuffing or no stuffing. Neither way is incorrect—it’s just a matter of personal preference. Keep in mind that whichever style you choose will affect the cooking times. Because a stuffed turkey adds more food to cook, it should cook for longer than an unstuffed turkey.

Remember to check the internal temperature of the stuffing as well. When the stuffing temperature has reached 165°F, it’s safe to eat. 

Roasting Time for an Unstuffed Turkey:

Roasting Time for a Stuffed Turkey:

When is it Done?

The last thing anyone wants on Thanksgiving is to be served an undercooked turkey. To avoid ruining the dinner, always check that the juices are not pink before removing the turkey from the oven. If they’re pink, the turkey is not ready. A meat thermometer is an essential tool when roasting a turkey because it lets you confirm that the meat is fully cooked before carving into the turkey. 

Your roasted turkey is done when the internal temperature of the stuffing has reached 165°F, and the turkey’s internal temperature has reached 180°F in the thigh. As important as checking your turkey’s temperature, it’s equally important to let it rest before diving in because resting the turkey for 20 minutes before carving is essential for getting a nice, juicy turkey. 

What to Serve With Roasted Turkey

When it comes to sides to serve with turkey, the options are pretty much endless. I typically opt for Southern comfort food dishes and Thanksgiving classics, but you really can’t go wrong with any of your favorite side dishes. Some of the most common choices include mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, gravy, and corn.

Not sure what to make? Don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for. Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve with roast turkey: 

• Moist Southern Cornbread
• New Orleans Mac n Cheese
• Garlic Chive Cheddar Biscuits
• Cream Cheese Creamed Spinach
• Buttered Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Creamy Southern Corn Pudding
• Stuffed Bell Peppers

Turkey Roasting Tips

No holiday feast is complete without a turkey. Before you get started, here are some final tips to keep in mind: 

• Make sure to choose the right size depending on the number of people you’re serving and thaw the turkey according to its size.
• Before prepping your turkey for the oven, make sure it is fully thawed. 
• Cook turkey and stuffing to the proper internal temperature—never skip on food safety—especially when serving a group of hungry people. 
• Prepare everything you need ahead of time for an easier cooking process and clean-up. 
• Roast your turkey at the corresponding time for its size, but allow for extra time if the turkey is not finished on schedule.
• Cook your side dishes and dessert 1-2 days ahead of time, so you aren’t struggling to get everything done at the last minute. 

Whether you have cooked turkey a hundred times or are gearing up to host your very first Thanksgiving dinner, this guide is for you. As long as you follow my tips and guidelines on how to roast a turkey, I guarantee you’re going to wind up with delicious results. 

Pair your perfect roast turkey with some of your favorite sides, and get ready to enjoy a meal you will never forget! 

📖 Recipe

Cajun Roasted Turkey

Kenneth Temple

My Cajun turkey recipe is a straightforward way to get a flavorful, moist, and juicy turkey that's golden brown and delicious.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Rest 20 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 15 persons

Calories 482 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 12-15 lbs. turkey thawed, dried and room temperature
• 6 tablespoons Savory Cajun Seasoning
• 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion halved
• 1 bell pepper halved
• 2 celery stalks chopped large
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1 pack of poultry blend herbs rosemary, sage and thyme
• 2 medium navel orange halved

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F/ 176°C. Season the cavity of the turkey with one tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Turn the turkey breast side down and brush with melted butter, then season evenly with two tablespoons of seasoning. Flip over and repeat.
• Place half of the onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic inside the turkey cavity and the other half in the roasting pan. Place the turkey in a roasting pan.
• Most turkeys have their legs tied together or tucked under the skin; tie the legs back up and cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake for 2 ½ hours, remove the cover, and pop back in the oven for 30 minutes or until the turkey browns. Remove from the oven, insert a meat thermometer into the thighs, and ensure the internal temperature reads 165°F/73°C. Let the turkey rest for 30-45 minutes before serving. You can keep it warm by covering it slightly with foil.
• Use the turkey drippings to make my 5-minute turkey gravy. Slice and serve with your Thanksgiving turkey and your favorite sides.

Notes

Thawing tips:

Here are the best practices for thawing a frozen bird safely.

1) Place frozen turkey in your fridge for 48 hours to thaw.

2) Place in a container filled with cold water and let it thaw for 6-8 hours. Never thaw at room temperature.

3) Pat dry the turkey with paper towels after it has thawed to remove moisture before seasoning.

Make Ahead & Storage

Storing Cajun turkey is best three days after cooking, but it will remain fresh in an airtight container for seven days. Cut the turkey into individual pieces before storing it, which will help with thawing and reheating.

Freeze in an airtight container for two months. Thaw for 24 hours in the fridge before reheating.

Reheat in a 325°F/162°C oven for 15-20 minutes or until hot.

Pro Recipe Substitutions, Tips & Tricks

You can have a lot of fun cooking roasted turkey, so here are a few ideas for making this recipe your own.

• There's no need for a turkey brine; most commercial turkeys are already injected with brine. So, if you brine your turkey again, you risk serving salty turkey. A dry brine turkey is slightly different because
• Let the turkey stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before seasoning it. If the turkey is too cold, the butter will solidify, and we don't want that. The melted butter acts as the glue for the Cajun seasoning.
• You can use equal amounts of olive oil instead of melted butter, but you'll sacrifice some flavor.
• If you don't have a roasting pan, bake on a foiled-lined baking sheet, add with the legs facing the back, and rotate every hour for even browning.
• You can use a large roasting pan from the store or one that's been passed down for generations. The most important thing is to be sure that your turkey can fit.
• Most Cajun seasonings are very salty, so you can use my homemade creole seasoning instead of store-bought Cajun seasoning.
• Make sure to let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing it. Resting ensures a moist and juicy turkey. Slicing it too early will result in all the juices running out.
• I generally don't use chicken broth in my roasted turkey because I make homemade stock from the giblets and vegetable scraps, but you can add 1 cup of unsalted chicken broth into the roasting pan to jump-start the flavor of some yummy pan drippings.
• If you have Sprouts grocery stores, buy a fresh turkey that's never been frozen.
• Use fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage in the turkey cavity. You can find them in a poultry blend bundle in your grocery store. If you cannot find fresh herbs, use one teaspoon of dried herbs or one tablespoon of Italian seasoning.
• After your turkey is done roasting, remove the herbs and citrus from the cavity and squeeze the orange or lemon juice over the turkey with tongs so you don't burn yourself.
• Placing the turkey on the chopped vegetables omits the need for a roasting rack while adding flavor.
• To make Cajun butter, use one stick of softened butter and the amount of creole seasoning called for in the recipe. Then, smear it under the skin and all over the turkey.
• If you need something to boost your confidence, use my How To Roast A Turkey Guide.
• Are you looking for a different flavor this year? Try my wife's Jerk Spatchcocked Turkey.
• If you want crispy skin, add two tablespoons of baking powder to your seasoning ingredients before adding it to the turkey. The baking powder will dry out the skin, making it the perfect crispy skin.
• Here's an excellent holiday meal spread to serve with your Cajun turkey: crispy Brussels sprouts, Southern turnip greens, chicken dressing, sweet potato pie, baked pumpkin hand pies, classic banana pudding or chocolate banana pudding, and apple pie with a graham cracker crust.
• Make a turkey po-boy with your leftovers, or serve them with homemade corn waffles.
• If you're looking for alternatives to roasting a whole turkey, this recipe works for a turkey breast, just half the recipe. You can also serve your guests some smothered turkey wings or turkey necks.

Nutrition

Calories: 482kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 90gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 271mgSodium: 467mgPotassium: 1022mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1841IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 4mg

Keyword Cajun turkey, Cajun turkey recipe, turkey Cajun

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