Turkey in the oven
Description
The recipe won't take much time. Actually, a whole turkey roasted in the oven is a traditional American dish. They prepare it for Thanksgiving and Christmas. One oven-roasted turkey can feed up to 12 people. Serve hot.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
1. Rinse the turkey and clean out the cavity. Pat dry and season with salt and pepper. Rub the melted butter and spices into the bird. Place garlic cloves and halved lemons inside the cavity. Preheat the oven to 230°C (450°F). Pour two cups of broth into a deep roasting pan and place a rack in the pan. Place the turkey on the rack. Put in the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 150°C (300°F).
- 2
Step 2
2. You need to calculate the cooking time for your turkey. Allow 13 minutes per 450 grams of the bird's weight. However, this time is approximate. Our 7 kg turkey took about 4 hours to roast. When half of the estimated cooking time has passed, start checking the turkey for doneness. Turn the turkey every 40–45 minutes by taking it out of the oven and basting it with the juices from the roasting pan. During the last hour of cooking, baste the bird with butter. This will give the skin a beautiful golden color.
- 3
Step 3
3. How to check if the turkey is done? Pierce the bird with a toothpick in three places – the breast, the outer part of the thighs, and the inner part of the thighs. If the juice runs pink or contains blood, it's not ready yet. If the bird isn't fully cooked, reduce the oven temperature to 70°C and return the turkey to the oven for another 20–30 minutes. Don't worry, the turkey will turn out perfectly.