Christmas Turkey

If you are looking for a new recipe for your Christmas Turkey this is the one to make. It is loaded with flavor and seasoned perfectly.

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This no fuss roasted turkey recipe will sure to impress your guests this holiday. The turkey is cooked golden brown with a crispy texture. The turkey cavity is stuffed with fresh fruit, vegetables and seasoned with fresh herbs.

Christmas Dinner Recipes is a great time to bring the family together to enjoy a nice dinned together. Check out my cranberry chutney recipe too if you need an additional option to your Christmas dinner table.

This free-range turkey always looks beautiful on your Christmas dinner table. You can also make this Slow Cooker Whole Turkey, Grilled Turkey, Upside Down Turkey, Spatchcock Turkey or Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe.

You may love to use this Turkey Brine Recipe before cooking your turkey.

For a side dish idea, check out my cornbread stuffing recipe.

Why We Love This Recipe:

This roasted turkey takes less than 30 minutes of prep time and then the oven does the work. The turkey cooks juicy and also makes the best turkey gravy.

Make sure to add your favorite Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe, Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Cheesy Potatoes, Easy Green Bean Casserole, Stuffing Muffins, Easy Stuffing Recipe, Gluten Free Turkey Gravy, Turkey Neck Gravy or Green Bean Casserole with Cream of Chicken for a complete dinner idea.

We even like to start with this Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe or Christmas Veggie Tray for a delicious appetizer and Christmas Trifle for dessert.

You may even want to make Leftover Turkey Soup or Turkey Noodle Soup with your leftover turkey.

Ingredients:

• Whole Turkey, fully thawed
• Large Onion 
• Large Orange 
• Fresh Rosemary Sprigs 
• Fresh Thyme Springs 
• Butter, softened
• Sea Salt 
• Freshly Ground Pepper 

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe listed in the recipe card.

Variations:

• Stuffing – Feel free to change the fruit and vegetables to what you prefer. You can add in apricots, red onions, sticks celery, or lemons zest.
• Garlic Butter – Add a teaspoon of minced garlic or garlic cloves to the butter mixture for added flavor.

Step by Step Instructions:

• Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then place the oven rack 1 level lower than the center of the oven.
• Step 2 – Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey. Place the turkey in a roasting pan with a roasting rack, breast side up. 

Step 3 – Cut the onions and orange into large pieces.  Put some of the onions and all the oranges in the cavity of the turkey and place half of the fresh rosemary and thyme into the cavity of the turkey as well. Turk the wings under the turkey. You can tie back the wings of the turkey if you prefer.

Step 4 – Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and rub with butter or olive oil all over the skin of the turkey then season with salt and pepper.  Place the rest of the onions, rosemary and thyme around the outside of the turkey in the pan.

Step 5 – Then tent the top of the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent the turkey from browning too much.

Step 6 – Cook the turkey based on the size of the turkey in a hot oven. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. When the thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the turkey. 

Recipe Tips

• Roasting Tray – Feel free to use a disposable large roasting tray to make this turkey. Make sure you get one that is large enough to fit your turkey.
• Meat Thermometer – Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey is cooked to a safe temperature. Insert in the fattest part of the turkey.
• Cover Turkey – While the turkey is cooking, we recommend loosely covering with heavy duty foil.
• Carving Tips – If you need help carving your turkey, check out these carving tips.

How Long to Cook Turkey:

When baking this turkey, you will bake approximately 14 to 15 minutes per pounds of turkey. But make sure to check the turkey with a meat thermometer before removing it from the oven. Cooking time will vary.

Let the turkey rest for 30-60 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

More Easy Christmas Dinner Recipes:

• 34 Crock Pot Christmas Recipes
• Easy Crockpot Spiral Ham Recipe
• Christmas Roast
• Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe
• Crockpot Side Dishes for Christmas

We love hearing from you. If you make this Christmas Turkey Recipe, make sure to leave us a comment or a star review.

Review Pin Print

Christmas Turkey

5 from 3 votes

Estimated Cost: $40.73, $3.39 per Serving

If you are looking for a new recipe for your Christmas Turkey this is the one to make. It is loaded with flavor and seasoned perfectly.

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Let Rest 1 hour hr

Total Time 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings 12

Cuisine American

Course Main Course

Calories 530

Author Carrie Barnard

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Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ▢ 12-24 lb Whole Turkey fully thawed
• ▢ 2 Large Onion
• ▢ 1 Large Orange
• ▢ 4 Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
• ▢ 3 Fresh Thyme Springs
• ▢ ½ cup Butter softened
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon Sea Salt
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper

See how we calculate recipe costs.

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Position an oven rack one level below the center of the oven.
• Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey. Place the turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan.
• Cut the onions and orange into large pieces. Place some of the onion, all of the orange, and half of the rosemary and thyme inside the turkey cavity.
• Tuck the wings underneath the turkey. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine, if desired.
• Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Rub the softened butter evenly over the skin, then season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange the remaining onions, rosemary, and thyme around the turkey in the roasting pan.
• Loosely tent the turkey with aluminum foil to prevent the skin from browning too quickly.
• Roast for approximately 14–15 minutes per pound, checking for doneness with a meat thermometer. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest parts of the breast and thigh.
• Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 30–60 minutes before carving.
• Transfer to a serving platter, carve, and serve.

Recipe Notes

Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the turkey. Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness rather than relying on cooking time alone.

If the skin begins to brown too quickly, keep the turkey loosely tented with aluminum foil while it finishes cooking.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 530kcal, Carbohydrates 2g, Protein 70g, Fat 26g, Saturated Fat 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat 5g, Monounsaturated Fat 8g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 252mg, Sodium 1004mg, Potassium 757mg, Fiber 0.4g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 420IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 44mg, Iron 3mg

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