Perfect Roast Turkey

Fauve's Note:

I first tried this recipe for Thanksgiving this year, and may I assure you, the name is more than fitting! Tender, juicy, fragrant and, yes, perfect! I don't think I've ever smelled a more heavenly smell from my kitchen. I'm sure I'll be making this turkey recipe for my family's big holidays from now on.

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

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• ¼ lb unsalted butter
• 1 lemon, juice and zest of
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leave
• 1 (10 lb) fresh turkey
• kosher salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1 bunch fresh thyme
• 1 whole lemon , halved
• 1 Spanish onion , quartered
• 1 head garlic , halved crosswise

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan.
3. Add the zest and juice of the lemon and 1 teaspoon of thyme leaves to the butter mixture.
4. Set aside.
5. Take the giblets out of the turkey and wash the turkey inside and out.
6. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers and pat the outside dry.
7. Place the turkey in a large roasting pan.
8. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity.
9. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, halved lemon, quartered onion, and the garlic.
10. Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter mixture and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
11. Tie the legs together with string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the turkey.
12. Roast the turkey at 350 F about 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh.
13. Remove the turkey to a cutting board and cover with aluminum foil; let rest for 20 minutes.
14. Slice the turkey and serve.

Reviews

[Lisa in Acworth, GA]

This was a fantastic turkey! Really moist and flavorful. I roasted a 20 pounder so I shoved as much garlic, thyme, onion and lemon as I could get into the cavity. We use the drippings and some Wondra flour to make a really flavorful gravy as well. I did baste it a couple of times during the 3 hours I cooked it but it may not have even needed it. Rave reviews all around! Thank you for posting!

[Faux Chef Lael]

My boyfriend loves to cook and this Thanksgiving was his first time meeting my family. We cooked this turkey together and it was completely amazing, moist and falvorful. My only recommendation would be peel the garlic cloves and place them whole inside the bird. A little more work than putting the halved head inside, but we thought it would add a bit more garlic flavor if they were peeled. We also basted the turkey with the sauce every 30 minutes. Otherwise, sheer perfection. By the way, my parents loved him. ;)

[Irish350]

I used this recipe for Thanksgiving this year. It was excellent...the turkey was very moist. Actually the moistest one I have ever made. Everyone raved about it. I believe this is a Barefoot Contessa recipe too. Roasted at 350. I used a 26 pound turkey :)