• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Pretty Providence

  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Printables
  • Holidays
  • Favorite Things
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
  • Printables
  • Holidays
  • Favorite Things
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Crafts
    • Printables
    • Holidays
    • Favorite Things
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

    Home » Holidays » Thanksgiving » Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

    Published: Oct 28, 2019 · Modified: Apr 18, 2025 by Jessica · This post may contain affiliate links · 25 Comments

    Tweet
    Pin177
    Share
    Email
    177 Shares
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    If you want a juicy and delicious Thanksgiving turkey, this easy Thanksgiving turkey recipe is perfect for you! You will also find all you need to know about how to cook a turkey in this post! 

    Thanksgiving Turkey on a white platter with fresh herbs sitting on a granite counter next to a tea towel
    I remember the first time I hosted Thanksgiving dinner I was so nervous! Not about having guests over or about the sheer amount of things to do, but definitely about cooking the Thanksgiving Turkey! 

    Thanksgiving Turkey

    The turkey is just such a central part of the Thanksgiving meal, and when you have never cooked a turkey before it can seem so overwhelming! Well I have good news, this easy Thanksgiving turkey recipe is so simple anyone could do it regardless of skill level! Plus, it will be tender and full of flavor. It goes perfectly with this Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce, Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, and Rolls!

    Also, if you are looking for other delicious Thanksgiving recipes click here, and make sure to check out our Complete Thanksgiving Menu and Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving too!

    You ready to get down to business? 

    *This post contains affiliate links.

    How to Prepare a Thanksgiving Turkey

    • First things first, you need to follow all the directions on the packaging for safely thawing and storing your turkey until you are ready to prepare it. 
    • If you have never made a whole turkey before you may not realize that frozen turkeys can take quite a while to completely thaw (and your turkey must be thawed completely before cooking).
    • Any turkey you buy should have directions on the packaging for how to thaw your turkey, but here is a good resource that will give you a few different ways you can thaw your turkey if you need more info or haven't done it before! 
    • Make sure you have a Roasting Pan and a Meat Thermometer.

    How long does it take to thaw a turkey?

    Here is a chart to show you approximately how long it will take to thaw your turkey depending on your method! 

     Weight of Bird  Thaw Time (Fridge)  Thaw Time (Cold Water)
    10 to 18 pounds  2 to 3-½ days  5 to 9 hours 
    18 to 22 pounds  3-½ to 4-½ days  9 to 11 hours 
    22 to 24 pounds  4-½ to 5 days 11 to 12 hours 
    24 to 29 pounds   5 to 6 days 12 to 15 hours 
     

    Of course, if you buy a fresh turkey you can disregard all the thawing instructions! 

     
    Okay! Once your turkey is thawed you are ready to prepare and cook this bad boy! Let's do this thing. 
    finished Thanksgiving Turkey on a white platter on a granite counter with herbs as garnish

    How long does it take to cook a turkey?

    As you may have assumed, cooking an entire turkey takes awhile! A safe estimate for cooking a turkey is so plan on about 20 minutes per pound of meat. The chart below is an easy cheat sheet, assuming you are cooking your meat in a 350 degree oven. 

     Weight of Bird  Roasting Time (Unstuffed)  Roasting Time (Stuffed)
    10 to 18 pounds  3 to 3-½ hours  3-¾ to 4-½ hours 
    18 to 22 pounds  3-½ to 4 hours  4-½ to 5 hours 
    22 to 24 pounds  4 to 4-½ hours  5 to 5-½ hours 
    24 to 29 pounds   4-½ to 5 hours 5-½ to 6-¼ hours 

    How much turkey per person? 

    If you aren't sure what size of turkey to buy, a good rule of thumb is that you will want one pound per person at the original meal. If you are wanting leftovers for sandwiches (I always do on my Grandma's homemade rolls!) then you will want to budget one and a half or even two pounds per person depending on how many leftovers you want. 

    I personally plan on one and a half pounds per person and it's always worked out well. 

    Best Way to Cook a Turkey in the Oven

    Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

    Put turkey in a roasting pan with a rack in it to keep it off the bottom of the pan. Remove neck and giblets from cavity and anything that may be stuffed in the neck cavity as well and discard, unless you want to save for gravy.
     
    Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.  

    an uncooked thanksgiving turkey and a hand holding two pats of butter, preparing to put them under skin of turkey

    Loosen the skin starting at the neck and work the slices of butter in between the skin and the meat all over the turkey and legs. This is messy and you may prefer to wear plastic gloves that you can discard after!
     
    Next, put all your herbs and salt and pepper into a bowl and mix together. 
     
     
    Once the seasonings are all mixed together, sprinkle all over the turkey skin and rub them in. You can see an example of this in the video in the recipe card! 
     
    a raw turkey on a roasting pan and a hand holding herbs above it
     
    Next, place the onions and garlic cloves in the turkeys cavity.
     
    raw turkey cavity with onions and garlic cloves inside

    Pro Tip: 

    • If you want the juiciest white meat you've ever had, cook the turkey breast side down...yes, it looks funny and it won't be picture perfect, but the meat is amazing!!!
    • If you are more concerned with presentation, cook it right side up.  
    raw turkey in roasting pan covered in butter and herbs
     
    Move your Thanksgiving turkey to a roasting pan and you are ready to cook your bird!
     
    Follow the packaging guide for how many hours per pound it will take to cook the turkey and plan accordingly.  I think about what time I will want to serve it and back off 30-40 min. of when I will take it out of the oven.  You need to wait 20 minutes to carve the turkey if you are carving your turkey prior to serving.
     
    In summary, calculate the roasting time based on LBS per hour and add the 20-40 minute "resting" and carving time and you will have your start time.

    Bake in the 350 degree Fahrenheit preheated oven until breast meat is 150-155 degrees Fahrenheit and dark meat is 175-180 degrees Fahrenheit.  Let turkey rest 20 minutes prior to carving.

    Pro Tips: 

    • Baste the turkey 2 times if it is a small - medium sized turkey and 3 times if a larger one. While you do want your turkey to be moist and juicy, every time you open the oven door you loose a lot of the baking heat.
    • If you have an "in oven" thermometer this is the best option, but you can certainly check the temp with a regular meat thermometer.  Make sure that the tip of the thermometer is in the MIDDLE of the breast and thigh, don't let it hit the bone, for accurate temp reading. If you need a meat thermometer here is a really affordable option! 
    • The only way to know if your turkey is actually done is by checking the internal temperature, NOT by the color of the skin. 
    • If the skin of your turkey is a nice golden brown and the meat is not done cooking, you can cover it with a loose foil tent to prevent burning skin. 
    If you make this recipe and like it we would love for you to leave us a comment and review! They mean so much to us! 
    Thanksgiving Turkey on a white platter with fresh herbs sitting on a granite counter next to a tea towel

    Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

    If you want a juicy and delicious Thanksgiving turkey but feel overwhelmed, this easy Thanksgiving turkey recipe is perfect for you! You will also find all you need to know about how to cook a turkey in this post! 
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 3 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
    Thaw Time: 9 hours hours
    Total Time: 13 hours hours
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 146.14kcal
    Author: Pretty Providence

    Video

    Equipment

    • Roasting Pan

    Ingredients

    • 1 whole turkey *Cook times listed above are for a 10-18 lb. turkey. Please adjust your cook time according to the chart in post or your package directions if using a larger bird.
    • 1 cup butter sliced
    • 2 onions peeled and quartered
    • 3 cloves garlic peeled
    • ½ container fresh sage
    • ½ container fresh rosemary
    • ½ container fresh thyme
    • 2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

    Instructions

    • PLEASE be sure to follow all the directions on the packaging for thawing and storing your turkey. Seriously, we want to have good memories of this meal! ;) 
    • Be SURE the turkey is thawed completely before roasting! If unsure on how to thaw your turkey or how long it takes to thaw a turkey, please see package instructions or the chart located near the beginning of this post! For a fresh turkey, obviously don't worry about thawing instructions.
    • Once thawed put turkey in a roaster pan with a rack in it to keep it off the bottom of the pan. Remove neck and giblets from cavity and anything that may be stuffed in the neck cavity as well and discard, unless you want to save for gravy.
    • Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
    • Loosen the skin starting at the neck and work the slices of butter in between the skin and the meat all over the turkey and legs. This is messy and you may prefer to wear plastic gloves that you can discard afterwords.
    • Mix all the seasonings together and sprinkle all over the turkey and rub it in. Place the onions and garlic cloves in the turkeys cavity.  
    • Follow the packaging guide for how many hours per pound it will take to cook the turkey (or see the chart above in post) and plan accordingly. Think about what time you will want to serve your turkey and back off 30-40 minutes from when you will want to take it out of the oven.  You need to wait 20 minutes before you carve the turkey in order to let juices distribute through the meat. Plus time for carving prior to serving. A general rule of thumb for cook time is about 20 minutes per pound in a 350 degree oven.  
    • Baste the turkey 2 times if it is a small or medium sized turkey and 3 times if it is a larger one. Every time you open the oven door you loose a lot of the baking heat, but basting the turkey will help it brown more evenly.
    • Bake until breast meat reaches 150-155 degrees Fahrenheit and dark meat is 175-180 degrees Fahrenheit.  Let rest 20 min prior to carving. Enjoy!!

    Notes

    Pro Tip: 

    • If you want the juiciest white meat you've ever had, cook the turkey breast side down...yes, it looks funny and it won't be picture perfect, but the meat is amazing!!!
    • If you are more concerned with presentation, cook it right side up.  
    • If you have an "in oven" thermometer this is the best option, but you can certainly check the temp with a regular meat thermometer. 
    • Make sure that the tip of the thermometer is in the MIDDLE of the breast and thigh, don't let it hit the bone, for accurate temp reading. If you need a meat thermometer here is a really affordable option! 
    • Baste the turkey 2 times if it is a small - medium sized turkey and 3 times if a larger one. While you do want your turkey to be moist and juicy, every time you open the oven door you loose a lot of the baking heat.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 146.14kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.41g | Protein: 0.51g | Fat: 15.38g | Saturated Fat: 9.73g | Cholesterol: 40.73mg | Sodium: 523.92mg | Potassium: 37.3mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.81g | Vitamin A: 472.73IU | Vitamin C: 1.59mg | Calcium: 10.11mg | Iron: 0.05mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @prettyprovidenceblog or tag #prettyprovidence!

    Thanksgiving Turkey on a white platter with fresh herbs sitting on a granite counter next to a tea towel

    Well there you have it friends! The perfect thanksgiving turkey has never been easier! If you need some other awesome thanksgiving recipes here are a few more of our families favorites. 

    Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

    Pomegranate Apple Salad

    Creamsicle Fluff

    Grandma's Famous Rolls

    Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

    Best Stuffing Ever

    Funeral Potatoes

    Green Bean Casserole

    Sweet Potato Casserole

    Lemon Sour Cream Pie

    Chocolate Chess Pie

    Happy Thanksgiving friends! 

    xo, 

    Tweet
    Pin177
    Share
    Email
    177 Shares

    More Thanksgiving Table Decor, Food Ideas + More

    • Cranberry and Feta Pinwheels
      Cranberry Feta Pinwheels
    • two colored thanksgiving coloring pages on a white counter
      Free Thanksgiving Coloring Pages
    • A slice of chocolate chess pie on a white plate with whipped cream on top, dusted with cocoa powder.
      Chocolate Chess Pie
    • Fruit salad made with granny smith apple cubes and pomegranate seeds mixed with cool whip with dollops of cool whip on top.
      Pomegranate Apple Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Becky Hardin

      October 29, 2019 at 9:59 am

      5 stars
      The best way ever to cook your thanksgiving turkey.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 30, 2019 at 12:39 pm

        Thank you so much! That means so much to us!

        Reply
    2. Lynnette Beste

      October 28, 2019 at 10:22 am

      If you've never cooked a turkey before, this post is a MUST! The great thing is, it's not hard! There are even pictures! Great job on these instructions Jessica, this really does make a GREAT turkey, and what is Thanksgiving without a GREAT turkey? Cooking it upside down works well! I did it on accident one year, and we decided we liked it better that way.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 30, 2019 at 12:40 pm

        Thank you so much Lynnette! You totally made my day! Isn't the upside down thing crazy? We love it so much.

        Reply
    3. Bryce

      October 27, 2019 at 10:07 pm

      5 stars
      Looks delicious. Great post that helps step by step.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 27, 2019 at 10:30 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    4. Terry

      October 25, 2019 at 11:02 am

      5 stars
      Ok this looks absolutely amazing. Thanks for the easy to read, step by step process! It makes me think I could actually pull this off! Looks fantastic!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 25, 2019 at 12:57 pm

        Thank you so much! I promise you can do it!

        Reply
    5. Kelsey

      October 25, 2019 at 9:54 am

      5 stars
      THE BEST!! So many memories with this recipe

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 25, 2019 at 12:57 pm

        Right?? My favorite is eating leftover sandwiches with Grammy's rolls!

        Reply
    6. Anna

      October 25, 2019 at 9:35 am

      5 stars
      I had no idea about the upside down for better white meat idea OH MY GOSH. life changed.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 25, 2019 at 12:56 pm

        It really is the BEST white meat you've ever had!

        Reply
    7. Pam

      October 25, 2019 at 9:29 am

      5 stars
      This Turkey recipe was so easy to follow and it turned out perfect! Can't wait to remake this for Thanksgiving!

      Reply
    8. Betsy

      October 25, 2019 at 7:13 am

      5 stars
      So easy. And the spices in here give this turkey some really great flavor!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 25, 2019 at 12:57 pm

        They really do! Thanks Betsy!

        Reply
    9. Kim

      October 25, 2019 at 6:12 am

      5 stars
      This was seriously so EASY and moist and yummy! Cooking upside down is a game changer!
      The best flavor!! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 25, 2019 at 12:59 pm

        Yay!! I'm so glad you loved it, thanks for coming back to tell us, it makes our day!

        Reply
    10. Billy

      October 25, 2019 at 5:04 am

      5 stars
      Turkey can be so intimidating to cook so thank you for showing us just how easy it is to make and how delicious it can be!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 25, 2019 at 12:59 pm

        It really is so scary the first time, but once you've done it once it's no big deal! So glad it worked out for you!

        Reply
    11. Julia

      October 25, 2019 at 4:06 am

      5 stars
      My mom always cooked chicken and turkey breast side down. It's an excellent tip, thank you for reminding me!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 25, 2019 at 1:00 pm

        My Mom did too, that's where I learned it from! You are so welcome :).

        Reply
    12. Paige

      October 25, 2019 at 12:01 am

      5 stars
      Thanksgiving dinner is so intimidating but maybe I can try this! Thanks for giving me ALL the instructions!!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        October 25, 2019 at 12:08 am

        You are so welcome! YOU CAN DO IT!

        Reply
    13. Melissa McArthur

      November 04, 2018 at 11:36 pm

      5 stars
      This is the MOST helpful post I’ve ever read. My first year making a turkey I burned it horribly and I haven’t dared do it since. This is giving me the motivation and tips to try again and to nail it this time!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        November 04, 2018 at 11:47 pm

        Oh my gosh you made my night! Thank you so much!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, we're Sarah and Jessica, and we're so glad you're here! We created this site to share recipes, crafts, DIY projects and free printables.

    More about us →

    Most Popular Posts

    • Breakfast casserole with sausage, eggs, cheese and bell peppers on a white plate
      Sausage and Egg Casserole (Without Bread)
    • DIY desk made from two storage cube bookshelves and IKEA desk top with marble look
      DIY IKEA Desk Hack
    • Iron-on t-shirt with Cricut collage of supplies needed, iron-on cut and weeded, and then the final shirt that says "#tired" in gold iron-on letters
      How to Make a Shirt with Cricut
    • The Office birthday party table with decorations, food, balloons and "it is your birthday" sign
      The Office Theme Birthday Party - "It Is Your Birthday."
    • Teepee style blanket fort made with bedsheets and clothesline hung from a light fixture.
      How To Build The Best Blanket Fort
    • German Pancakes just out of the oven, dusted with powdered sugar in a glass baking dish.
      Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe
    See more Most Popular Posts →

    Father's Day

    • Yogurt Toppings on a table for brunch bar, granola, coconut, strawberries, blueberries, oranges, pineapple, kiwi.
      Yogurt Toppings Bar
    • Breakfast charcuterie board with crepe toppings, fruit, spreads, bacon and powdered sugar
      Crepe Toppings Breakfast Charcuterie Board
    • World's Best Pop tie shaped gift tags, one tag taped on a bottle of root beer
      Soda Pop Shirt and Tie - Father's Day Printable & Gift Idea
    • Collage of DIY Father's Day Gifts
      Easy DIY Father's Day Gifts
    • DIY Breakfast In Bed Tray and Kit
    • DIY vinyl tumblers for grandparents
      DIY Grandma and Grandpa Tumblers
    See more Father's Day →

    Summer Recipes

    • two glasses of watermelon slush with lime slices and sugar on the rims
      Watermelon Slushie
    • creamy apple dip in a white bowl with granny smith apple slices surrounding it.
      Creamy Apple Dip
    • 4th of July snacks on a charcuterie board with red, white and blue foods - crackers, meat, cheeses and fruit.
      4th of July Snacks Charcuterie Board
    • Collage of three photos: creamsicle fluff salad, fruit salad with whipped topping, and seven-layer bean dip.
      30+ Easy Potluck Dishes
    • Watermelon feta salad with cucumber and mint in a white bowl.
      Watermelon Feta Salad
    • Marinated grilled chicken thighs on a white platter.
      Best Chicken Thigh Marinade
    See more Summer Recipes →

    Kids Activities

    • An image of a Harry Potter word search next to a wand and a griffindor cloak.
      Harry Potter Word Search
    • A printable summer reading chart with a young girls hand filling in the bubbles.
      Summer Reading Chart Printable
    • Taylor Swift bracelet ideas lots of bead bracelets with taylor swift song names on them on a wrist.
      Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelets
    • Tie-dye sugar cookie with neon pink, purple, turquoise and orange swirled together
      Tie Dye Cookies
    • Olympic-Themed Party Ideas, Crafts and Recipes
    • Blind taste test printable worksheet with chocolate chips and a pen
      Blind Taste Test
    See more Kids Activities →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

     

    Copyright © 2023 Pretty Providence LLC