Ojai Roast Turkey with Rosemary, Lemon, and Garlic
James Carrier
This top-rated turkey recipe drew raves from our users, who proclaimed it “the best turkey ever”. Fresh ingredients, including lemon, rosemary, and garlic, contribute to the mouthwatering flavor.
This recipe, and others like it, can be found in the article “From Classic to Unexpected, These Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Are Total Winners.”
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Remove and discard leg truss from turkey. Pull off and discard any lumps of fat. Remove giblets and neck (they're often packed in the neck or body cavity) and save for classic gravy. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry.
Step 2
2
Fill body cavity loosely with rosemary sprigs, garlic, onion, and lemons; if they don't all fit, tuck remaining into neck cavity. Fold skin flap under to hold in place. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, chopped rosemary, lemon peel, and pepper. Rub mixture all over turkey.
Step 3
3
Place turkey, breast up, on a V-shaped rack in a 12- by 17-inch roasting pan (or one that is at least 2 in. longer and wider than the bird). Insert a meat thermometer straight down through thickest part of breast to the bone. (If using an instant-read thermometer, insert when checking temperature.)
Step 4
4
Roast in a 325° or 350° regular or convection oven until thermometer registers 160°. (See below for times and temperatures.)
Step 5
5
Remove herbs and vegetables from cavities and save for other uses (see notes) or discard. Transfer turkey to a platter. Let stand in a warm place, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes, then carve. If thigh joints are still pink (common in an oven-roasted bird), cut drumsticks from thighs, place thighs in a baking pan, and bake in a 450° oven until no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes, or put on a microwave-safe plate and cook in a microwave oven at full power (100%) for 1 to 3 minutes.
Step 6
6
Nutritional analysis per 1/4 pound boned cooked turkey with skin, based on percentages of white and dark meat in an average bird.
Step 7
7
Oven-roasted turkey: temperatures and times:
Step 8
8
For a 10-13 lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 350° oven for 1 1/2-2 1/4 hr.
Step 9
9
For a 14-23 lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 2-3 hr.
Step 10
10
For a 24-27 lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 3-3 3/4 hr.
Step 11
11
For a 28-30 lb turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 3 1/2-4 1/2 hr.
Step 12
12
Times are for unstuffed birds. A stuffed bird may cook at the same rate as an unstuffed one; however, be prepared to allow 30 to 50 minutes longer.
Ingredients
1 turkey (14 to 23 lb.)
8 fresh rosemary sprigs (each 6 to 8 in. long), rinsed, or 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
6 cloves garlic, peeled
1 onion (about 8 oz.), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 lemons (about 5 oz. each), rinsed and cut into 1-inch chunks
1/3 cup olive oil or melted butter
3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 tablespoon shredded lemon peel
1 teaspoon coarse-ground pepper
Salt
Directions
Step 1
1
Remove and discard leg truss from turkey. Pull off and discard any lumps of fat. Remove giblets and neck (they're often packed in the neck or body cavity) and save for classic gravy. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry.
Step 2
2
Fill body cavity loosely with rosemary sprigs, garlic, onion, and lemons; if they don't all fit, tuck remaining into neck cavity. Fold skin flap under to hold in place. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, chopped rosemary, lemon peel, and pepper. Rub mixture all over turkey.
Step 3
3
Place turkey, breast up, on a V-shaped rack in a 12- by 17-inch roasting pan (or one that is at least 2 in. longer and wider than the bird). Insert a meat thermometer straight down through thickest part of breast to the bone. (If using an instant-read thermometer, insert when checking temperature.)
Step 4
4
Roast in a 325° or 350° regular or convection oven until thermometer registers 160°. (See below for times and temperatures.)
Step 5
5
Remove herbs and vegetables from cavities and save for other uses (see notes) or discard. Transfer turkey to a platter. Let stand in a warm place, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes, then carve. If thigh joints are still pink (common in an oven-roasted bird), cut drumsticks from thighs, place thighs in a baking pan, and bake in a 450° oven until no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes, or put on a microwave-safe plate and cook in a microwave oven at full power (100%) for 1 to 3 minutes.
Step 6
6
Nutritional analysis per 1/4 pound boned cooked turkey with skin, based on percentages of white and dark meat in an average bird.
Step 7
7
Oven-roasted turkey: temperatures and times:
Step 8
8
For a 10-13 lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 350° oven for 1 1/2-2 1/4 hr.
Step 9
9
For a 14-23 lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 2-3 hr.
Step 10
10
For a 24-27 lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 3-3 3/4 hr.
Step 11
11
For a 28-30 lb turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 3 1/2-4 1/2 hr.
Step 12
12
Times are for unstuffed birds. A stuffed bird may cook at the same rate as an unstuffed one; however, be prepared to allow 30 to 50 minutes longer.
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