HOW TO COOK A PERFECT TURKEY

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Make and share this How to Cook a Perfect Turkey recipe from Food.com.

Provided by quotFoodThe Way To

Categories     Whole Turkey

Time 3h30m

Yield 6-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 (8 -12 lb) whole turkey (Allow 1 pound of uncooked turkey per person from an 8 to 12 pound turkey)
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
spices

Steps:

  • Do not roast the turkey in a oven temperature lower than 325°F Poultry should be roasted at 325°F or higher to avoid potential food safety problems.
  • Do not roast the turkey in a brown paper grocery bag. Present day grocery bags may be made of recycled materials and are not considered safe for food preparation.
  • Do use a meat thermometer (available at most grocery stores and kitchen shops) to determine the correct degree of doneness. Turkey is done when meat in the thigh reaches 180°F or (meat in the breast in finished at 170°F.
  • Frozen turkey, like all protein foods, should be thawed in the refrigerator, never at room temperature. When foods are thawed at room temperature, surface bacteria can rapidly multiply to dangerous levels at temperatures of 40 degrees F and above.
  • For safety and superior quality, leave turkey in the original packaging and place in a shallow pan. Thaw, in the refrigerator, using the simple formula: whole turkeys thaw at a rate of 5 pounds per 24 hours. Example: A 15-pound frozen bird will take 3 full days to thaw in the refrigerator.
  • To speed thawing, keep turkey in the original tightly sealed bag and place in a clean and sanitized sink or foodservice safe pan. Submerge in cold water and change the cold water every 30 minutes. The turkey will take about 30 minutes per pound to thaw.
  • Refrigerate (at 40 degrees F or below) or cook the turkey when it is thawed. Do not refreeze uncooked, defrosted turkey.
  • Unstuffed:.
  • 8 to 12 pounds -- 2 3/4 to 3 hours.
  • 12 to 14 pounds -- 3 to 3 3/4 hours.
  • 14 to 18 pounds -- 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours.
  • 18 to 20 pounds -- 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours.
  • 20 to 24 pounds -- 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
  • Stuffed:.
  • 8 to 12 pounds -- 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
  • 12 to 14 pounds -- 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
  • 14 to 18 pounds -- 4 to 4 1/4 hours.
  • 18 to 20 pounds -- 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours.
  • 20 to 24 pounds -- 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours.

Louie Prom
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I followed the recipe exactly and the turkey turned out great. The meat was moist and flavorful, and the skin was crispy. I will definitely be using this recipe again.


Abinat Girma
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This turkey recipe is amazing! The turkey was cooked to perfection and the gravy was delicious. I will definitely be making this again next year.


Johnnie Elliott
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I'm so happy I found this recipe. I've been looking for a good turkey recipe for years. This one is definitely a keeper.


Kim Laki
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This turkey recipe is a game-changer. I've never had a turkey turn out so moist and flavorful. I will definitely be using this recipe again and again.


Chilekwa Trexer
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I followed the recipe exactly and the turkey turned out great. The meat was moist and flavorful, and the skin was crispy. I will definitely be using this recipe again.


Taspia Taspia
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This turkey recipe is amazing! The turkey was cooked to perfection and the gravy was delicious. I will definitely be making this again next year.


Satu Isoaho
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I'm so happy I found this recipe. I've been looking for a good turkey recipe for years. This one is definitely a keeper.


Maori_Boy_1978
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This turkey recipe is a game-changer. I've never had a turkey turn out so moist and flavorful. I will definitely be using this recipe again and again.


Adil Shahwani
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I followed the recipe exactly and the turkey turned out great. The meat was moist and flavorful, and the skin was crispy. I will definitely be using this recipe again.


Lutuf Ali Merani
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This turkey recipe is amazing! The turkey was cooked to perfection and the gravy was delicious. I will definitely be making this again next year.


Bosslady Nica
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I'm so glad I found this recipe. I've been looking for a good turkey recipe for years. This one is definitely a winner.


Sandhya Kulung
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This turkey was so moist and flavorful! I cooked it according to the recipe and it turned out perfectly. My family loved it.


Albert Lucas
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I've been cooking turkeys for years, but I've never had one turn out as good as this one. The recipe was easy to follow and the results were amazing.


Grace mensah
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This turkey recipe is a keeper! It's become a Thanksgiving tradition in my family. The turkey is always moist and flavorful, and the gravy is to die for.


Sharon Hall
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I was a little hesitant to try this recipe because I'm not a very experienced cook. But I'm so glad I did! The turkey was perfect and everyone loved it.


Mercy Machio
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This recipe was easy to follow and the turkey turned out great. I especially liked the tips on how to brine the turkey. It made a big difference in the flavor of the meat.


dj ponaki 25
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I've tried many turkey recipes over the years, but this one is by far the best. The turkey was cooked to perfection and the gravy was amazing. My family and friends raved about it.


Sunil Daii
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This turkey was absolutely delicious! The meat was moist and flavorful, and the skin was crispy and golden brown. I will definitely be using this recipe again next year.


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