Thanksgiving Turkey
Cooking a turkey is really not that difficult. It just takes some time. But it´s worth it, the ready turkey is so moist and tastes great.
Ingredients
- 1 about 12 pound whole turkey 5,5, kg (neck and giblets removed)
- 3 carrots coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 3 tablespoons lactose-free butter can replace with olive oil but butter gives the turkey a beautiful golden color
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees (165 in Celsius).
- Place carrots in a large shallow pan. They will prevent turkey from sticking to the pan.
- Place turkey, breast side up, on top of the carrots. Pat the turkey dry with a paper towel. Fold wing tips under the turkey.
- Melt butter in a saucepan or in microwave.
- Stuff the turkey, but don´t put too much stuffing into the bird, it will need air to cook properly.
- Tie the legs of the turkey with twine.
- Brush outside of the turkey all over with the melted butter. Season with salt.
- Cook turkey uncovered in the oven until the thermometer reads 160 in Fahrenheit/ 71 in Celsius. I put the thermometer to the thickest part of the thigh (but not touching the bone). Other way to check if the turkey is cooked, is to insert a toothpick or fork to the meat and if the juices run clear, it´s cooked.
- Every half an hour baste the turkey. Scoop up the pan liquids and drizzle them on top of the turkey.
- Remove the turkey from the oven when cooked and let it rest for about 20 minutes until carving.