Perfect Roast Turkey

Adapted from Barefoot Contessa Parties!

• Ready In: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 lb unsalted butter
• 1  tablespoon lemon zest
• 1⁄2 cup lemon juice
• 1  teaspoon fresh thyme leave, chopped
• 12  lbs  whole turkey
• 1⁄2 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1  teaspoon black pepper
• 1  bunch fresh thyme
• 1  Spanish onion
• 1  lemon, halved
• 1  head garlic, halved crosswise

Directions

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