How To Cook A Turkey For Thanksgiving 2022 In 5 Easy Steps

Thanksgiving 2022 is sure to be a true celebration for many families, and after a couple of years where the holiday may not have been quite the same, the time has come for a true feast. Of course, the turkey is going to be the most essential part of any Thanksgiving meal.

Those who wind up cooking their holiday bird this Nov. 24 luckily won't have to worry about the meal being too difficult to make because cooking a turkey is actually easier than it looks. Check out this easy roast turkey recipe that is perfect for everyone—from beginners and first-timers to seasoned pros—this Thanksgiving 2022 (via Downshiftology).

You Will Need The Following Items:

Ingredients:

• 1 Turkey, weighing 12-18 pounds, fully thawed
• 2 onions, peeled and quartered
• 1 lemon, quartered
• 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary, as well as an additional tablespoon, finely chopped
• 1-2 sprigs fresh thyme, as well as an additional tablespoon, finely chopped
• 1-2 sprigs fresh sage
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, plus additional to taste
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 ribs celery, roughly chopped
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped

Turkey Prep/How To Thaw:

Before even thinking about getting the turkey in the oven, the bird has to be properly prepped, and, if starting with a frozen bird, it needs to be thawed before being cooked. Times vary for thawing depending on the weight of the bird, though you can learn how to do so safely here. For this recipe, proper thaw time is between 3-5 days in the refrigerator or 6-10 hours in cold water.

Once the turkey is thawed, remove it from the fridge one hour prior to roasting so it can come to room temperature. Adjust your oven rack to keep the turkey properly seated in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Remove the neck and giblets from inside the turkey and pat it dry with paper towels.

Step-By-Step Recipe:

1. Season the cavity of the turkey with salt and pepper, then fill it with one onion, lemon, and fresh rosemary, thyme and sage. In a smaller bird, don't overfill the cavity to allow for some airflow.

2. In a small bowl, make an herb butter by stirring together the softened butter, garlic, salt, pepper, chopped rosemary and chopped thyme together. Then loosen the skin of the turkey gently by sliding fingers underneath and rub about 1/3 of the butter between the skin and turkey breasts. Then rub the remaining butter all over the outside of the turkey.

3. Place the turkey on a roasting tack or on top of a bed of vegetables (one onion, the celery and carrots). Tuck the wing tips under the turkey to prevent them from burning.

4. Place the turkey in the oven and roast for about 15 minutes per pound, or until internal temperature reaches 158-160 degrees F. When the turkey is about 75% done, if the skin is browning too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil. Verify temperature by sticking a thermometer into the meatiest part of the thigh or breast. Remove from oven.

5. Allow turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving and serving.

Oven Cook Times:

Cook time can vary on turkeys, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service advises the following times for stuffed birds.

• 6-8 lb. Breast or 8-12 lb. bird: 3-3 ½ hours
• 12-14 lb. Bird: 3 ½ -4 hours
• 14-18 lb. Bird: 4- 4 ¼ hours
• 18-20 lb. Bird: 4 ¼-4 ¾ hours
• 20-24 lb. Bird: 4 ¾-5 ¼ hours