How to Cook a Turkey

Come Thanksgiving and it is the time for cooking and eating the delicious turkey. Infact, many people look forward to Thanksgiving not only for thanking their loved ones, but also in the wait for sinking their teeth into a scrumptious, juicy piece of turkey. However, there are many people who still do not know how to cook that perfect turkey. If you are one of such people, this article is meant especially for you. Check out the information given below to have a detailed description of how and how long to cook a turkey.

Ingredients

1 Turkey
1 cup Vegetable or Chicken Broth (optional)
½ Large Red Onion
2-4 Garlic Cloves
Garlic Powder, for seasoning
Rosemary, for seasoning
Black Pepper Powder, for seasoning
Oregano, for seasoning
Salt to taste

Method

The first step will require you to thaw the turkey. For this, you can place the turkey (with its wrapper) on large tray, in such a way that its juice gets collected on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. The amount of time you are required to keep the turkey like this is one day per 4-5 pounds of turkey.
For thawing the turkey, you can also place it (with its wrapper) in a huge dish covered with water. Change the water every ½ hour. The time for which you have continue the procedure is 30 minutes per pound of turkey.
Remove the giblets from the turkey, by putting your hand in the cavity and taking out everything found inside the bird.
Now, hold the turkey under water (cold or at room temperature) and wash it thoroughly, rubbing it with your fingers. Make sure the turkey is completely devoid of dirt, feathers, etc.
With the help of a paper towel, pat dry the turkey. Please do not rub the turkey with the towel.
Preheat oven to 325 deg F.
Take the roasting pan and put the turkey in it, keeping the breast side up. You can even spread 1-2 tbsp of oil over the turkey, to help it get brown.
Now is the time for seasoning the turkey, by putting all the spices like oregano, rosemary, garlic powder and pepper powder over as well inside it.
Flavor the onion and put it inside the turkey, along with 3 garlic cloves. Add the broth.
Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh of the turkey, in such a way that it does not touch the bone.
Put the turkey in the oven and cook it until the temperature on the thermometer reads 165 deg F (about 15 minutes per pound).
Turn your oven to ‘Broil’ for ten minutes, or till the time turkey turns golden in color.
Take out the turkey from the oven and remove all the stuffing from it.
Cover it with tinfoil and let it rest for around 20 minutes.
Slice the turkey and serve hot.

How Long to Cook Turkey

Weight	Cooking Time	Temperature
8 to 12 pounds	3 to 3½ hours	325 deg F
12 to 14 pounds	3 to 3¾ hours	325 deg F
14 to 18 pounds	3¾ to 4¼ hours	325 deg F
18 to 20 pounds	4¼ to 4½ hours	325 deg F
20 to 24 pounds	4½ to 5 hours	325 deg F

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