A Delicious Turkey Recipe That Your Family Will Remember

A roasted turkey has always been the staple of any holiday feast, be it Thanksgiving or Christmas. Back in the day, turkeys were generally the ideal poultry of choice for any feast taking place in the fall for its thicker meat and its ability to last for longer periods of time. Nowadays, many families consider a roasted turkey the ultimate center of any holiday dinner. And the fact that it can take a few hours to prepare and roast isn’t something that slows down this delicious dinner from happening. For a memorable and most delicious turkey recipe, read on below.

Choosing a Turkey

There are many ways you can select your perfect bird. While some may opt to get a frozen one from their local grocery store, many prefer to head out to organic farms instead and cut the middleman. Family farming and professional turkey breeders at Morton’s Traditional Taste believe that there’s nothing tastier than a fresh, free-range turkey for your holiday feast. You won’t worry about production, or thawing a turkey for hours, as you can book your turkey early and receive it right before your holiday dinner ready to cook.

Preparing the Turkey

Clean your turkey well before cooking; rinse it thoroughly, pluck any stray feathers, and pull out the neck and giblets. Some people throw them out, but they can be used in soups and stews to make them tastier. Pat the turkey dry before cooking.

Temperature

Cooking times for a turkey can vary according to its size, your oven, and its temperature before cooking. Ideally, it needs around 15-20 minutes per pound. So, make sure you’re using your meat thermometer in the thickest meaty part to make sure it’s ready; do so around half an hour before the turkey is ready. The turkey breast temperature should be around 74 degrees Celsius.

Cooking and Roasting

• Place your turkey in a pan lined with parchment paper and make sure you fold the wings behind it so they don’t get scorched.
• Season the turkey cavity generously with salt, pepper, and other spices of your choice. You can stuff it with garlic cloves, lemon slices, and fresh herbs like rosemary. Then, tie the legs together.
• Create your own turkey rub by mixing butter, garlic, and fresh herbs together. Then, rub your turkey as well as gently rubbing beneath its skin. Slather it all thoroughly to make it juicy, then drizzle with olive oil.
• Roast the turkey for two hours covered with foil at 200 degrees Celsius. If it’s more than 15 pounds, it should take 4 hours.
• Take it out of the oven and baste it with its own juices, then leave for another 30 minutes to roast. Baste again, and then reduce heat to 150 degrees for another hour.
• Broil for 10-15 minutes for a crispy and golden crust.
• Let it rest before carving for 30 minutes or more depending on its size to keep the juices intact.

Cooking a turkey might be a daunting task for anyone, especially during a festive holiday dinner. But cooking for your loved ones might give you the encouragement you need, when the recipe is made with love and care, and preparation of course, you’ll make a memorable dinner!