Awesome High Heat Holiday Turkey

kiwidutch's Note:

You must try this for your holiday turkey, you will not be disappointed! This is the only way we make turkey, EVER! Especially since oven space is valuable around the holidays. Why high heat? Heat cooks. Opening the cavity will allow the heat to cook the bird from the inside as well as the outside. Seasoning? Why? Herbs and spices create a crust on the skin that seals in the flavor and juices, you pick what seasoning. Breast side down? Why? The rack keeps the turkey from steaming on the bottom of the pan. Why metal? It conducts heat better than glass or ceramic. Why foil? High heat can cook too well. Loosely covering the top of the turkey will keep it from burning. Why liquid? To catch the juices and fat as they drip from the turkey so that they will not burn from the high heat of the oven and stick on the bottom of the pan. You will be able to use this liquid as a base for your gravy. 5 rules for HHT: 1) Don't salt!!!!!!!! Why suck the moisture out? 2)Don't let the bird touch the pan! We want to roast, not stew. When it sits on the bottom of the pan, instead of a rack, or it is squeezed into a too small pan, the hot air is unable to envelop the turkey, causing it to cook in it's own juices 3)Don't Baste the bird! It will break caramelization, slow down cooking and use up the pan juices 4) Don't poke with a fork to turn or check the bird! Piercing the meat will allow the flavorful meat juices to escape 5) Don't cover the bird with cheesecloth! We don't care what Martha says, covering the bird with cheesecloth will prevent browning. It will make a mighty tasting cheesecloth, though, if you are into that kinda thing! Then spoon the stuffing in. What about stuffing? Use Chef Marc's easy method: Using oven mitts, place the turkey, cavity up, into a five-gallon plastic container From Chef Marc on KGO-AM.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 16 -18 lbs fresh whole turkey
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh black pepper, to taste
• 3 cups as needed chicken broth

Directions:

1. Dry a 16 to 18 lb. turkey inside and out with paper towels.
2. Oil the turkey inside and out with any kind of vegetable oil (olive, canola, etc.) using your hands.
3. Cut away any excess skin around the opening of the cavity and wedge a fork inside the cavity to open it further. Leave the fork in to keep cavity open.
4. Rub spices, herbs, or just pepper all over the bird with your oily fingers.
5. Place the turkey, breast side down on a rack in a large metal roasting pan.
6. Cover the top of the turkey, including legs and wings with greased foil.
7. Pour ¾-inch of chicken or turkey broth in the bottom of the pan. As the turkey cooks, check the liquid every 45 minutes and add more in case it evaporates.
8. Cook the turkey at 500° to 525° for 2 hours.
9. Remove foil, stuff the turkey with cooked stuffing and return it to the rack breast side up.
10. Cook the turkey 30 to 45 minutes longer until an instant-read thermometer stuck deep in the thigh reads 175°.
11. Let the turkey rest at least 20 minutes, this allows the meat to reabsorb its juices.

Reviews

[karen in tbay]

I used your method for cooking our 13 lb turkey but used the spice rub #168782. Started the turkey on the bbq at 450 degrees then moved it into the oven when available and cooked at 500 degrees for total of 2 hours. The turkey was falling apart so it didn't really get a chance to get crispy but will definitely use this method again.

[jwconway]

I was a rock star after stumpling into this receipe. We had 16 over last Thanksgiving and all agreed this was the most moist, best flavor turket ever served. As for me being the cook, it was easier and faster than any of the others I have ever tried. With this methos i didn't brine although I guess you could, but once you try it you will never go back. Only problem is most of the left overs went out the door. Last year we did another one the weekend for a week of left overs!

[1moxiemom]

Take the plunge and try this method!! I cannot believe it but this turkey was juicier and more flavorful than the brined turkeys I've been doing for years and sooooo much easier. I did use "uncle bill's" method of shrinking the skin around the bird with boiling water (cool looking even if it doesn't add anything :0) ). I rubbed the turkey with herbs, pepper, butter and oil mixed together. So simple and quick! Thank you very much for posting!