45 Minute Roast Turkey (Mark Bittman)
- Ready In:
- 45mins
- Ingredients:
- 5
- Serves:
-
10-14
ingredients
- 1 (8 -12 lb) whole turkey
- 10 -14 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
- 3 sprigs fresh tarragon (or several pinches dried) or 3 sprigs thyme (or several pinches dried)
- 1⁄3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- salt & freshly ground black pepper
directions
- Heat the oven to 450°F Put the turkey on a stable cutting board, breast side down, and cut out the backbone. Turn the bird over and press on it to flatten. Put it breast side up in a roasting pan that will accommodate it (a slightly snug fit is okay). The wings should partially cover the breasts, and the legs should protrude a bit.
- Tuck the garlic and the herb under the bird and in the nooks of the wings and legs. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
- Roast for 20 minutes, undisturbed. By this time the bird should be browning; remove it from the oven, baste with the pan juices, and return it to the oven. Reduce the heat to 400°F (or 350°F if it seems to be browning very quickly).
- Begin to check the bird’s temperature about 15 minutes later (10 minutes if the bird is on the small side). It is done when the thigh meat measures 155–165°F on an instant-read meat thermometer; check it in a couple of places.
- Let the bird rest for a few minutes before carving, then serve with the garlic cloves and pan juices. Or serve at room temperature.
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Reviews
-
Unbelievable! This is THE best turkey I have ever made - and I have made lots of turkeys. I didn't keep track of the time but it was less than an hour for a 9 pound turkey breast - not a whole turkey. Very suitable for a dinner party! I will double the amount of garlic next time as it was very tasty with a few cloves smeared on sliced turkey and we needed more. :)
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