Thanksgiving is not Thanksgiving without a golden roasted turkey at the center of the Thanksgiving dinner table. For the past couple of years, I have taken charge of roasting the turkey for my family. Last year I discovered that I could slow roast the Thanksgiving turkey using the convection setting on my oven set at a lower temperature for the same amount time as using the regular oven setting at a higher temperature. At the lower temperature, my turkey came out moister and juicier and so much more flavorful. If you have a convection oven and want to slow roast your turkey this Thanksgiving, I highly recommend the following roasted turkey recipe that I perfected during the last holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1 large turkey
- 2 sticks of butter
- 1 bottle of Heineken beer
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons of minced green onion
- 2 tablespoons of minced garlic cloves
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375º.
- Soften one stick of butter.
- Combine the softened butter with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, green onion, and garlic.
- Rinse and dry the turkey.
- Place the turkey in a roasting pan.
- Rub the butter mixture over the skin of the entire turkey.
- Pour the bottle of beer inside the turkey.
- Place the second stick of butter inside the turkey.
- Roast for 18 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 165º. Baste occasionally to prevent the turkey from drying out.
- Allow the roasted turkey to rest for 20 minutes before carving.
- Store any uneaten roasted turkey in the refrigerator.
Turkey is always the centerpiece of my Thanksgiving menu planning. While cooking the turkey last year, I discovered that I could slow roast the bird at a lower temperature using the convection setting on my oven. With the convection setting, I roasted my turkey for the regular amount of time but ended up with a juicier and more flavorful bird. Even if you do not have a convection oven, try roasting your holiday turkey for longer but at a lower temperature. Your taste buds will not be disappointed. Happy Turkey Day!
Infographic
Image Credits
Thanksgiving Turkey © 2012 Heather Johnson
Thawed Turkey © 2011 Heather Johnson
Rinsing the Turkey © 2011 Heather Johnson
Turkey in Roasting Pan © 2012 Heather Johnson
Removing the Giblets © 2011 Heather Johnson
Melted Butter © 2012 Heather Johnson
Chopping the Seasoning © 2011 Heather Johnson
Butter with Seasonings © 2012 Heather Johnson
Butter and Seasonings with Green Onions and Parsley © 2012 Heather Johnson
Buttering the Turkey Skin © 2011 Heather Johnson
Tenting the Turkey © 2011 Heather Johnson
Roasting the Turkey © 2011 Heather Johnson
Roasted Turkey © 2011 Heather Johnson
Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey © 2012 Heather Johnson
The First-Timer’s Guide to Roasting a Turkey: https://www.columnfivemedia.com/work-items/infographic-a-visual-guide-to-roasting-your-first-turkey