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Roast Turkey

Old-Fashioned Roast Turkey

MamaPeggy.com
A classic, old-fashioned roast turkey recipe. If you want to cook a turkey like Grandma used to cook, this is a good way to do it.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 14 people

Ingredients
  

  • 14-16 lb turkey ready-to-cook
  • 1 cup butter melted
  • salt
  • pepper

Instructions
 

  • Remove giblets and neck from the turkey.
  • Wash and set them aside.
  • Wash the turkey inside and out, and then dry with paper towels.
  • Remove and discard the excess fat.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F).
  • Spoon some dressing into the neck cavity.
  • Bring skin of neck over the back, then fasten into place with a poultry pin.
  • Spoon the remaining dressing into the body cavity (don't pack it).
  • Insert 4 or 5 poultry pins at regular intervals, and lace the cavity closed with twine.
  • Bend the wing tips under the body, and tie the ends of the legs together.
  • Insert a meat thermometer into the inside of a thigh at the thickest part.
  • Place the turkey in a shallow roasting pan and place into your oven.
  • Brush the top with some of the butter.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Roast the turkey, uncovered, and brush it occasionally with the remaining butter and pan drippings.
  • When your turkey begins to turn golden, cover it with loose foil, and cook it for about 4 1/2 hours, or until the thermometer registers 185 degrees F.
  • You're getting there when the leg joints moves freely.
  • Place the turkey on a heated platter.
  • Remove the twine and pins.
  • Let the turkey stand for about 20 minutes, and serve!
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