How To Roast A Turkey

Hot out of the oven ready to be carved!

Five easy steps to roasting a perfect turkey

1. Thaw the turkey. Remove neck and giblets from the neck and body cavities.
2. Heat oven to 325°F.
3. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water.
4. Place turkey breast side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. (I actually place mine breast side down, all the juices run down to make the breast very tender this way. It may add a little more time to cook, check with meat thermometer).
5. Roast the turkey, uncovered, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, not touching bone, registers 180°F.

Roasting Timetable
Approximate Oven Roasting Time at Temp of 325°F (Unstuffed Turkey)

WEIGHT	COOKING TIME
10-12 lbs.	3-3 1/2 hrs.
12 to 14 lbs.	3 1/2 - 4 hrs.
14 to 16 lbs.	4 - 4 1/2 hrs.
16 to 18 lbs.	4-1/2 - 5 hrs.
18 - 20 lbs.	5 - 5 1/2 hrs.
20 - 22 lbs.	5 1/2 - 5 3/4 hrs.
22 - 24 lbs.	5 3/4 - 6 hrs.

Turkey is done when the meat thermometer inserted in the breast reads 170° F. and 180°F. when inserted deep in the thigh, not touching the bone.

More Roasting Tips

• For a picture-perfect turkey, tuck wing tips under the shoulders.
• Place a foil tent over the breast during the first 1 to 1-1/2 hours of roasting, then remove the foil to allow for browning.
• Allow the turkey to stand 20 minutes before carving.

Electric Roaster: Oven Turkey Preparation

• Recommended weights for turkey in the roaster oven 12-18 lbs.
• Birds larger than 18 lbs are difficult to actually fit into the roaster while keeping the lid shut tightly.
• Roaster ovens DO NOT brown turkeys. The constant dripping of condensation from the cover of the roaster prevents the turkey from browning, but also produces a turkey that is moist and juicy. For a turkey with a brown skin after cooking, follow the simple turkey browning sauce recipe below.
• Always use a meat thermometer to make sure your turkey is thoroughly cooked.

 Electric Roaster: Step-by-Step Directions

• Make sure insert pan is in the roaster. Place rack in the roaster (this will make for easier removal of the turkey after roasting).
• Pour ½ cups of water into the insert pan and preheat the roaster at 325°F for 15 minutes.
• Remove turkey from package and remove giblets and neck from the cavities of the turkey. Rinse bird inside and out with cold water. Pat turkey dry.
• If desired, place 1 onion, peeled and quartered and 2 stalks of coarsely chopped celery inside of the turkey. Season the outside of the bird with salt and pepper OR brush the exterior with the turkey browning sauce recipe (see below).
• Place turkey in roaster. Cover and cook at 325°F for 2½-3¼ hours or until the thighs reach a minimum internal temperature of 180°F and the turkey breast reaches a minimum internal temperature of 170°F.
• Let turkey stand for 20 minutes before carving.

Electric Roaster: Turkey Browning Sauce
Recipe included in Hamilton Beach® Roaster Oven Cooking Booklet

To achieve a turkey with a brown skin, use the following recipe before cooking

• ¼ cup melted butter or margarine
• 1½ teaspoons browning sauce
• 1 teaspoon paprika

 Remember these food safety tips when storing leftover turkey:

• Store turkey, stuffing, and gravy in separate containers.
• Use refrigerated turkey, stuffing and gravy within 3 to 4 days.
• For longer storage, freeze leftovers. Use turkey within 3 to 4 months.

   

Source of Content:

http://www.jennieo.com/cooking-with-turkey/8-How-to-Roast-a--Turkey

http://www.jennieo.com/cooking-with-turkey/4-How-to-Store--Leftover-Turkey-Properly

Notes: We purchase our turkey from a local farm through a local meat market. Their birds are free range, no hormones, non GMO & organically fed (supplemented with feed when needed, but allowed to roam and feed on bugs, worms, etc). I highly recommend doing this. For years we went with the cheapest deals and who knows what they were feeding their turkeys and what the farm conditions were, or even what country it came from. It is much more expensive to buy the free range local organic birds but like most everything...you get what you pay for. Good health is priceless and begins with a good diet with quality foods.
 

May your Thanksgiving be blessed!